AV312 Computer Architecture and

Organization

By
Thanudas. B
b.thanudas@gmail.com
9496020072

Scientist/Engineer-G (Retired)
Former Group Director
Computational Infrastructure and Campus Network Group
VSSC, ISRO
Thiruvananthapuram
 AV312 Computer Architecture and Organization

Text Book:
1. Tananbaum AS, Todd Austin, “Structured Computer
Organization,” Sixth Edition.
2. Hayes JP, “Computer Architecture and Organization”

References:
1. David A. Patterson, John L. Hennessy, “Computer
Organization and Design, The Hardware/Software
Interface,” Fifth Edition.
2. William Stallings, “Computer Organization and
Architecture,” Eighth Edition.
 Scope of the Course
• Introduction to Computer Organization
• Processing Unit
• Memory Subsystem
• Input/Output subsystem
• High Performance Processors
• Multi-Processor Systems
 Course Evaluation
Quiz 1 : 15 Marks

Quiz 2 : 15 Marks

Assignments, Projects : 20 Marks

End Sem. Exam. : 50 Marks

 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
 Architecture & Organization
• Architecture is those attributes visible to the
programmer that have direct impact on the execution
of the program.
– Instruction set, number of bits used for data
representation, I/O mechanisms, addressing
techniques.
e.g. Is there a multiply instruction?
• Organization is how features are implemented
transparent to the programmer
– Control signals, interfaces, memory technology.
e.g. Is there a hardware multiply unit or is it done by
repeated addition?
 Architecture & Organization
• All Intel x86 family share the same basic
architecture
• The IBM System/370 family share the same
basic architecture

• This gives code compatibility

– At least backwards
• Organization differs between different
versions
 Computer Terminologies

• n-bit Computer, Clock rate, Memory

▪ Micro Computer ; IBM PC, Intel processor based
▪ Mini Computer ; PDP-11, DEC
▪ Main Frame Computer ; IBM-370
▪ Super Computer ; CRAY
▪ Machine Language ; Instructions : Binary Numbers
▪ Assembly Language ; Instructions : Mnemonics
▪ Higher Level Language ; C++, Java, Python
▪ Stored Program Computer
▪ Personal Computer
▪ Workstation
▪ Server
▪ Operating System ; Batch processing,
Multiprogramming
 Milestones in Computer Architecture

Some milestones in the development of the modern digital computer.

 Milestones in Computer Architecture (2)

Some milestones in the development of the modern digital computer.

(MIPS – Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages), SPARC – Scalar Processor Architecture)
 Computer Generations
• Zeroth Generation
Mechanical Computers (1642 – 1945)

• First Generation
Vacuum Tubes (1945 – 1955)

• Second Generation
Transistors (1955 – 1965)

• Third Generation
Integrated Circuits (1965 – 1980)

• Fourth Generation
Very Large Scale Integration (1980 – ?)

• Fifth Generation
(Artificial Intelligence)
 First Generation - Vacuum Tubes
(1945 – 1955)

▪ Vacuum tubes for circuitry

▪ Magnetic drums for memory
▪ Bulk in size
▪ Only machine language is possible
▪ Inputs are punched cards and punched
paper tapes
▪ Output is printout
 Second Generation – Transistors
(1955 – 1965)
• Transistors replaced vacuum tubes
• Smaller, faster and cheaper
• Inputs are punched media and output is printout
• Memory is based on magnetic core technology
• Stored Instructions in memory
• Assembly language for programming
• High level languages – COBOL and FORTRAN
were being developed
 Third Generation - Integrated Circuits
(1965 – 1980)

• Integrated circuit was used – semiconductor

technology
• Keyboards, monitors were added
• Operating system to run many application
programs
• Computers were further smaller and cheaper
 Fourth Generation – VLSI
(1980 – ?)

• Microprocessor – Thousands of ICs in a single

silicon chip
• Desktop computers
• GUI, Mouse, and Handheld devices
• Computer Networks
• Development of Internet
Fifth Generation - Artificial Intelligence

• Based on Artificial Intelligence

• Voice Recognition
• Parallel processing
• Natural Language inputs
• Capable of learning and self-organization
Von Neumann Machine
PDP-8 Innovation – Single Bus

The PDP-8 omnibus

 Intel Computer Family

MMX- Multimedia Extension, SSE – Streaming SIMD Extension

 Technological and Economic Forces

Moore’s law predicts a 60 percent annual increase in the number of

transistors that can be put on a chip. The data points given above
and below the line are memory sizes, in bits.
Introduction to the x86 Architecture

Moore’s law for (Intel) CPU chips.

 Metric Units

The principal metric prefixes