Computer Architecture 2009/2010

1. News
2. Introduction
3. Documents
4. Assignment
5. Submission

News

• The exam of Jan 14 2010 has been graded. Click here to view the results.
• Assignment 3 has been graded. Click here to view the results.
• Assignment 2b has been graded. Click here to view the results.
• Assignment 2a has been graded. Click here to view the results.
• The deadline for 2b has been extended till Monday 7 Dec, 23:59
• The introduction for assignment 2B will be on Wed 4 Nov, NOT on Mon 2 Nov
• Assignment 1 has been graded. Click here to view the results.
• The DEADLINES have all been shifted one day, and will be all at 23.59. You can find the new deadlines at the bottom of this page.
• UPDATE: Assistance also available on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 15.45-16.45
• Note that assignment 1 must be done alone. For the other assignments, please form teams of 2 persons.
• Please send Harmen an email to register for the course. This way, we can keep you informed.

Introduction

Course Info	Computer Architecture	Lectures: Sep 2, 2009 - Nov 25, 2009 (except Nov 11), every Wednesday at 11.15-13.00h, room 403
Lecturer	Lex Wolters	room 154
Teaching Assistants	Harmen van der Spek	room 142
	Van Thieu Vu	room 142
Student Assistent	Xiwen Cheng	Assistance will be available on Monday and Tuesday from 15.45-16.45 and on every Wednesday (except Sep 9 and Nov 11) from 14.00-15.30 in room 306. Outside these hours you can always send Xiwen an email if you need assistance or have any other question.

• The course is composed of a theoretical written exam (3 EC) and a practical assignment (4 EC).
• The exam will take place on Thursday Jan 14 2010, 10-13h, rooms 174&401; the re-exam will be on Wed Aug 4 2010, 10-13h.
• In case you have technical questions, contact the assistants so they can help you as soon as possible.

Documents

• Lecture slides

  lecture Sep 2	lecture Sep 9	lecture Sep 16	lecture Sep 30
  lecture Oct 7	lecture Oct 14	lecture Oct 21	lecture Oct 28
  lecture Nov 4	lecture Nov 25

  
  
• Sample exam (in Dutch; remark: previous exams are based on older(!) editions of the book)
  • tentamen 14 jan 2008
  • tentamen 12 jan 2009
  
  
• Supplementary documents for the practical assignment
  • Assignment 1: Optimization of Assembly
    • The "MIPS instruction set manual" which is referred to in the assignment can be found here.
    • The SPIM manual can be found here
  • Assignment 2: CPU Design and Simulator
    • DLX_Design
    • DLX_Design (zip containing svg,png,visio and Open Office formats)
    • Datapath and microprogrammed control
    • Instruction Notations
  • Assignment 3: Cache and Memory
    • Page mode memory

Assignment

• The practical assignment is divided into four parts.
• Each part must be delivered before its deadline. In case of any delay, please contact us as soon as possible.
• All assignments must be written in English.
• DEADLINES ARE STRICT!

Part	Description	Introduction	Deadline	Weight
1	Optimization of Assembly (not in a team)	2 Sep 2009 14.00	22 Sep 2009 23.59	10%
2a	CPU Design	23 Sep 2009 14.00	27 Oct 2009 23.59	30%
2b	CPU Simulator	4 Nov 2009 14.00	7 Dec 2009 23.59	30%
3	Cache and Memory	2 Dec 2009 14.00	22 Dec 2009 23.59	30%

Submission

• Please submit your results (tar(.gz) or zip) to ca__at__liacs.nl (substitute @ for __at__)
• You can give the printed version of your work to one of the assistants at the designated assistance hours