IS1200 Computer Hardware Engineering

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

The course gives basic knowledge of how a computer functions and is built-up both from a hardware and from a software perspective The course is divided into six different modules, which for example include the following basic concepts:

1. C-programming and assembler language: pointers, functions, stack, assembly language, machine language, instruction encoding and processor registers.
2. I/O system: timers, interrupts and memory mapped I/O.
3. Digital design: truth tables, gates, boolean algebra, multiplexers, decoders, adders, combinatorial nets, sequential networks and registers.
4. Processor construction: arithmetic-logic unit, data path, control unit and pipeline.
5. Memory architectures: instruction cache, data cache and virtual memory.
6. Parallel processors and programs: Amdahl's law, different variants of parallelism as well as multicore.

Intended learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student shall be able to

• Implement low-level programs in the C programming language and in an assembly language
• Implement low-level programs with input-output, timers, and interrupts
• Analyse processor microarchitectures, with and without a pipeline,
• Analyse memory hierarchies, including cache-structures.
• Compare fundamental concepts about multiprocessor computers.
• Explain and describe technical solutions both orally and in writing.

Lab 1 Assembly Programming

1. analyze MIPS assembly code by using a simulator.
2. write short assembly code functions in MIPS assembler.
3. execute and test a compiled program on a PIC32 microcontroller.

Lab 2 C Programming

1. construct shorter C programs that includes for-loops, if-statements, arrays, and pointers.
2. analyze C programs and understand how a compiled program is laid out in memory.

Lab 3 I/O Programming

1. Write code for general-purpose input/output (GPIO) ports.
2. Write code to initialize and use simple input/output devices, such as buttons and LEDs.
3. Write code to initialize and use devices with handshaking, such as a programmable timer.
4. Write code to initialize and handle interrupts.
5. Have a general understand for how to read non-trivial technical manuals, data sheets, and header files.

Lab 4 Processor Design

1. Construct a simple single-cycle processor that executes a real assembly program.
2. Explain how bit selection and instruction decoding works.
3. Explain the basic principles of the data path and the control unit.