Estructura de Computadores / Computer Structure

Computer architecture, organization and design. Introduction to the main performance metrics. Evaluation and optimization of the performance in the building blocks that compound a computer. Introduction to parallel and storage sytems.

Link to official webpage

Educational and learning outcomes (RD 822/2021 degree programs) or competences (RD 1393/2007 degree programs)

  • [A15] Capacidade de coñecer, comprender e avaliar a estrutura e a arquitectura dos computadores, así como os compoñentes básicos que os conforman.
  • [B01] Capacidade de resolución de problemas
  • [C06] Valorar criticamente o coñecemento, a tecnoloxía e a información dispoñible para resolver os problemas cos que deben enfrontarse.
  • [C07] Asumir como profesional e cidadán a importancia d

Learning outcomes (RD 1393/2007 degree programs)

Learning outcomes Study programme competences / results
Know, understand and ability to evaluate the computer structure and architecture, as well as the components that compound them. A15, B1, C6, C7

Contents

  1. Performance evaluation
    • Introduction
    • Definition of performance metrics
    • Performance evaluation and comparison
    • Measurement techniques and benchmarks
  2. Instruction level parallelism
    • Introduction
    • Instruction level dependences and parallelism
    • Hazards
    • MIPS pipeline
  3. Branch management
    • Static techniques
    • Dynamic techniques
    • Branch delay
  4. Memory systems
    • Introduction
    • Main memory
    • Memory hierarchy
  5. Caches
    • Introduction
    • Operation of the cache system
    • Cache performance metrics
    • Optimization techniques
  6. Virtual memory
    • Introduction
    • Pagination
    • Segmentation
  7. Storage systems
    • Basics
    • Types of storage systems
    • RAID
  8. Buses: connection of I/O and CPU/Memory
    • Introduction
    • Buses and interconnection
    • Examples of standard buses