University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science Charles L.

Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

ECE/CS 3330 Computer Architecture Spring 2012

Lectures: MW 2:00pm-3:15pm, Thornton E-303 Laboratories: T or R 5:00pm-7:00pm, 7:00pm-9:00pm; Thornton E-225

Class Webpage
The class webpage (via UVaCollab) will contain the course syllabus, reading and homework assignments, problem session handouts, solutions, and other materials. Current announcements and reading assignments will be posted on the webpage, so please check the page frequently for updates.

Catalog Data
3 credits Includes the organization and architecture of computer systems hardware; instruction set architectures; addressing modes; register transfer notation; processor design and computer arithmetic; memory systems; hardware implementations of virtual memory, and input/output control and devices. Cross-listed as ECE 3330 and CS 3330. Prerequisites: CS 2110 or 2220 with a grade of C- or higher, and ECE/CS 2330 with a grade of C- or higher.

Instructor
Prof. John Lach Email: jlach@virginia.edu (best way to contact me) Office: Rice Hall 309 Office phone: 434-924-6086 Office hours: M 3:30pm-4:30pm and T 4:00pm-5:00pm (or by appointment) Homework-less office hours: R 4:30pm-5:00pm (in Rice Hall Caf)

Teaching Assistant
Italo Armenti Email: ia3he@virginia.edu Office hours: M 5:00pm-6:00pm, T 9:00am-10:00am (in Thornton E-225)

Textbook (required)
David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy, Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 4th edition (paperback NOT the revised printing)

Grading
30% Final exam 40% Midterm exams (20% each) 16% Homework (2% each) 14% Laboratories (2% each for Labs 1-5, 4% for Lab 6, but all must be completed)

Exams
There will be two in-class midterm examinations and a comprehensive final examination, which is scheduled for 2:00pm-5:00pm on May 10, 2012. During the first midterm exam, a single 8.5" x 11" sheet of notes (single-sided) will be permitted. In the second exam, two sheets may be used. In the final, three sheets may be used. Photocopying is not allowed on the note sheets. For all exams, you may also bring the green sheet from the textbook and a calculator. A zero grade will be given for any missed exam. If you know in advance that you will need to take an exam on a different date than the rest of the class, you must talk to Prof. Lach at least one week before the scheduled exam day. The alternate exam date must be before the rest of the class takes the exam. If you believe an error has been made in the grading of an exam, you are to bring it to the attention of Prof. Lach (tests) within ONE WEEK of its return. Use of tests and test solutions from previous semesters in any way is specifically and strictly prohibited.

Homework
Homework will be assigned regularly. Most of the homework assignments are lengthy, and some are quite difficult. Assignments and solutions will be posted on the class web page. Your homework is due at the beginning of lecture on the date listed on the assignment. Do not email homework. Homework must be neat, legible, and stapled. Please adhere to the following homework guidelines: 1. Name and Lab Section: Your name and lab section must appear at the top of the first page. Its a good idea to put your name on all pages. 2. Paper: Use standard 8" x 11" straight-edged, white paper, with or without lines. Frilly, messy, annoying paper edges from spiral-bound notebooks are NOT acceptable. 3. Solutions: Underline or box your answers so we can find them easily. 4. Work: All work must be shown for each solution to receive full credit. Present your solution in a logical fashion; core dumps are not acceptable. 5. Stapled: Each assignment exceeding a single page should be stapled in the upper left corner. 6. Graphs: If possible, plots should be drawn by a computer and have well-labeled axes. If necessary, you can make handwritten annotations. 7. Neatness: Your writing must be legible. If we cant read it, we cant grade it! 8. Accuracy: A significant amount of the homework point value is associated with obtaining the correct answer. This includes getting the correct quantity, number of significant digits, sign, and unit. 9. Color: You can use pen, pencil, or toner, but never use red. Late homework policy: homework turned in late, up to 9:00am on the day after the due date, will be accepted with 25% deducted. Homework turned in between 9:00am and 5:00pm the day after the due date will have 50% deducted. Homework will not be accepted after 5:00pm the day after the due date. Put late homework under Prof. Lachs door. You can turn in one of your homeworks by 9:00am on the day after the due date with no penalty (i.e. one free late day). All of the homework scores will be used in your grade computation. You may work together on assignments, but you must submit a distinct and independent write-up to receive credit. If you work with others, list their names on the front page of your writeup. If you believe an error has been made in the grading of a homework assignment, you are to bring it to the attention of the TA (homework) within ONE WEEK of its return. Use of homework solutions from previous semesters in any way is specifically and strictly prohibited.

Laboratories
There will be 2-hour laboratory sessions on certain weeks throughout the semester (see the course schedule), and students are required to attend the session for which they are registered. The laboratory exercises will be posted on the website. Print out a copy of the current assignment and bring it to your laboratory session. All pre-lab material must be completed BEFORE the beginning of your laboratory session. Laboratory attendance is mandatory, and you must successfully complete (and demonstrate to your TA) every laboratory to pass the course. If you have to miss your laboratory session, contact your TA at least one day in advance to arrange to make it up.

Office Hours
The instructor and TA both have scheduled office hours. Office hours are times we have specifically set aside to answer your questions and provide whatever assistance we can. If you dont understand something and talking to your classmates doesnt help, then you should be seeking help from the instructor or TA. Please try to see us during our office hours, but if you have a schedule conflict, email for an appointment at another time. Questions regarding software tools and anything related to the laboratory sessions should be directed to the TA. The instructors homework-less office hours are informal and are an opportunity to talk about anything but homework.

Special Accommodations
If any member of the class feels that he/she needs special accommodations of any nature whatsoever, please contact Prof. Lach at the earliest possible time during the first week of class if possible. He will work with you and the University to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class.

Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct

Plagiarism, copying, and any other form of academic misconduct or dishonesty will not be tolerated. References must be properly cited. If there is any confusion about proper citation, please talk to Prof. Lach. As mentioned above, students are permitted to work in groups on homework assignments, but everyone must complete and turn in individual homework write-ups, listing the people with whom they collaborated on the front page. Computer programs must be individually written. Use of homeworks or tests (and their solutions) from previous semesters will be considered an Honor Violation. If you have questions about UVAs Honor System or would like to report suspicions of an Honor offense, please contact your Honor representative.

Cell Phones in Lecture

Out of respect for your fellow students, please turn off your cell phones, etc. before coming into lecture.

Class Participation
As members of an academic community, all students are expected to actively participate in and contribute to class discussions. There will be no records taken of attendance, but students are responsible for all material covered in class, even if the material is not in the text or the notes.

Course Goals
1. To provide students a strong background in the organization and architecture of computer systems hardware. 2. To introduce the primary components of a computer, including processor, memory, input, and output. 3. To expose students to commercial processors as examples of the technology. 4. To gain practical experience with computers through assembly language programming on a representative processor and through the design of a simple processor architecture.

Topical Coverage
History of computers Review of digital logic design Basic structure of computer hardware and software Computer instruction sets Assembly language programming Addressing modes Example processors Processor data path Hardwired control units Microprogrammed control units Pipelining Computer arithmetic Memory components Memory systems Input and output units Interrupts Direct memory access (DMA) Peripheral devices Computer communications Computer networks