Computer Architecture | Università degli Studi di Milano Statale

A.Y. 2019/2020

Max ECTS

Overall hours

SSD

INF/01

Language

Italian

Included in the following degree programmes

Computer Systems and Networks Security (Classe L-31)-Enrolled Until 2017/2018 Academic Year

Computer Systems and Networks Security (Classe L-31)-Enrolled from 2018/19 Academic Year

Learning objectives

The course aims at introducing basic concepts of hardware and firmware architectures of computing systems, starting from digital circuit fundamentals up to the description of behavior and structure of the main parts of a computing system and its programming in machine language.

Expected learning outcomes

Students are expected to master information encoding techniques, Boolean algebra, and key notions of logic circuits. They will have to demonstrate understanding of role and behavior of basic elements related to structure and functioning of a computer. Students will have also to be able to translate simple algorithms into the machine language of the reference processor adopted in the course.

Lesson period: First semester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

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Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible

Scarabottolo Nello

Lesson period

First semester

Syllabus

Course syllabus

BEHAVIOR OF THE COMPUTER
· Reference architecture. Von Neumann machine. Functional structure of the main parts of the machine.
· Machine language. The Assembly language. Exercises.
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
· Functional principles of digital computing systems. Digital coding of information. Switching logic, logic gates, bistables. Combinational and sequential circuits.
· Main parts of the microcomputer architecture. Memory circuits. Memory technologies (ROM, SRAM, DRAM).
· I/O (Input/Output) peripherals architecture. Types and characteristics of I/O devices. The bus: structure and interconnection schemes. Software handling of I/O.
· The CPU: Data Path design. Circuits performing Arithmetic operations. ALU model design.
· The CPU: Control Path design. Control Unit design. Wired and microprogrammed control units.
· Main architectural advances. Cache memories. Virtual memory. Pipelining.

Prerequisites for admission

No prerequisites. It is requested a knowledge of the basic concepts related to computer programming, and the ability of reading an English textbook.

Teaching methods

Front lectures.

Teaching Resources

Notes and slides by the teacher, available on the course website.
Suggested material:
· P.Patel, Y.Patt: Introduction to computing systems: from bits and gates to C and beyond, McGraw Hill.
· V.C.Hamacher, Z.G.Vranesic, S.G.Zaky: Computer Organization, McGraw Hill.

Assessment methods and Criteria

The exam is constituted by a written test (requiring solution of application exercises and answer to theoretical questions) evaluated in thirtieths, and by the coding (in computer lab) of a program written in LC2 Assembly language that - if correct - may lead to a maximum increment of 2 thertieths of the grade obtained in the written test.

Course structure

INF/01 - INFORMATICS - University credits: 6

Laboratories: 24 hours
Lessons: 36 hours

Professor: Scarabottolo Nello

Shifts:

Lab. - turno A

Professor: Scarabottolo Nello

Lab. Turno B

Professor: Scarabottolo Nello

Lab. parte introduttiva

Professor: Scarabottolo Nello

Lezioni