This note covers the following topics: Basics of computer
architecture, Introduction to Digital Electronics, Binary Numbers, Boolean
Algebra, Combinational Logic Circuits, Sequential Logic Circuits, Von Neumann
Architecture, Optimizing Hardware Performance, Low-level programming,
Programming in C, Character encodings, Assembly programming.
Author(s): Philipp Hafliger, Dag Langmyhr
and Omid Mirmotahari
This is a comprehensive 118page detailed note on advanced topics in computer architecture. This starts with the principles of processor performance and the basics of RISC and CISC architecture classification. The document investigates the basics of pipelining and its hazards, and some advanced architectures like superscalar and superpipelined systems. Very Long Instruction Word VLIW architectures and basic multiprocessor designs are also emphasized. This note explains Flynns classification, array processors, vector processors, associative processors, and systolic architectures. Hierarchical memory technology is discussed followed by various computing models that work on these computing devices, such as data flow computers and cloud computing. The two sections in this resource will be useful to those who want to address current developments and architectures in computer systems.
This note covers the following topics, Fundamentals of Computer Design, Basic Organization of a Computer, Instruction Set Design, Addressing Modes, CPU Implementation, Interrupts, The Memory Hierarchy, Virtual Memory.