Computer Architecture - Spring 2023

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Overview

Welcome to Computer Architecture! This course builds a solid understanding of how CPUs are designed and why microarchitectural choices matter.

You’ll explore pipeline principles & hazards, memory hierarchies, caches, and virtual memory.

Instructor: Prof. Lizhong Chen (chenliz@oregonstate.edu)

Meeting Time: Tue/Thu 12:00–1:50 PM · WLKN 110

Dates: 04/03/2023–06/16/2023

Prerequisite: ECE 375 (Computer Organization & Assembly)

Objectives:

• Gain a broad, practical vision of the computer architecture field
• Understand how a CPU works from single-cycle to pipelined execution
• Prepare for advanced courses, research, and industry roles

Schedule (Summary)

Cadence: In-person unless marked otherwise. See Canvas for files and updates.

• Week 0 - In-person: Introduction, Motivation
• Week 1 - In-person: Background catch-up (1.6, 2.5–2.7)
• Week 2 - In-person: Single-cycle processor (4.1–4.3)
• Week 3 - In-person: Pipeline principles, hazards, exceptions (4.5–4.9); HW #1 due
• Week 4 - Recording: Pipeline, parallelism
• Week 5 - In-person: Midterm #1 (in class)
• Week 6 - In-person: Memory hierarchy (5.1–5.3); Project assigned
• Week 7 - In-person: Cache in-depth (5.4); HW #2 due
• Week 8 - Recording: Virtual memory (5.7–5.8)
• Week 9 - Canvas Module: Review; HW #3 due
• Week 10 - In-person: Midterm #2 (in class); Project wrap-up

Midterms:

• Midterm #1: Tue May 2 (in class)
• Midterm #2: Thu Jun 8 (in class)

Materials

• Required textbook: David Patterson & John Hennessy, Computer Organization and Design, 5th Ed., Morgan Kaufmann (2013), ISBN 9780124077263 (e-book OK).
• Slides (indicative list): 1 - Introduction · 2 - Background · 3 - Single-cycle processor · 4 - Pipeline I · 5 - Pipeline II · 6 - Memory Hierarchy Intro · 7 - Cache I · 8 - Cache II · 9 - Virtual Memory · 10 - Special Topics I/II/III (Advanced, Many-core/HPC, GPU Intro) · 11 - Concluding Remarks

Staff & Hours

• Instructor: Prof. Lizhong Chen - Office hours Fri 12:30–2:00 PM (Zoom) Zoom: meeting link

• TAs:

  • Anthony Kung - Mon 2:00–3:30 PM @ KEC Atrium (or Zoom), Wed 4:00–5:30 PM @ KEC Atrium (or Zoom) - kungc@oregonstate.edu
  • Kazi Ahmed Asif Fuad - Tue 10:30 AM–12:00 PM & Thu 10:30 AM–12:00 PM @ KEC Atrium - fuadk@oregonstate.edu

Grading & Policies

• Weights: Homework 20%, Midterm #1 30%, Midterm #2 30%, Project 10%, Class participation 10%.
• Late policy: 20% per day (homework & project).
• Discussion: Allowed on Canvas only (strategies/clarifications; no answers).
• Academic Integrity: OSU Code of Student Conduct (zero tolerance for dishonesty).
• DAS: Accommodations via Disability Access Services (DAS).
• Student Rights: asosu.oregonstate.edu/advocacy/rights
• Academic Calendar: registrar.oregonstate.edu/osu-academic-calendar