227-0003-10L  Digital Design and Computer Architecture

Courses

Catalogue data

Abstract	The class provides a first introduction to the design of digital circuits and computer architecture. It covers technical foundations of how a computing platform is designed from the bottom up. It introduces various execution paradigms, hardware description languages, and principles in digital design and computer architecture.
Learning objective	This class provides a first approach to Computer Architecture. The students learn the design of digital circuits in order to: - understand the basics, - understand the principles (of design), - understand the precedents (in computer architecture). Based on such understanding, the students are expected to: - learn how a modern computer works underneath, from the bottom up, - evaluate tradeoffs of different designs and ideas, - implement a principled design (a simple microprocessor), - learn to systematically debug increasingly complex systems, - hopefully be prepared to develop novel, out-of-the-box designs. The focus is on basics, principles, precedents, and how to use them to create/implement good designs.
Content	The class consists of the following major blocks of contents: - Major Current Issues in Computer Architecture: Principles, Mysteries, Motivational Case Studies and Examples - Digital Logic Design: Combinational Logic, Sequential Logic, Hardware Description Languages, FPGAs, Timing and Verification. - Basics of Computer Architecture: Von Neumann Model of Computing, Instruction Set Architecture, Assembly Programming, Microarchitecture, Microprogramming. - Basics of Processor Design: Pipelining, Out-of-Order Execution, Branch Prediction. - Execution Paradigms: Out-of-order Execution, Dataflow, Superscalar Execution, VLIW, Decoupled Access/Execute, SIMD Processors, GPUs, Systolic Arrays, Multithreading. - Memory System: Memory Organization, Memory Technologies, Memory Hierarchy, Caches, Prefetching, Virtual Memory.
Lecture notes	All the materials (including lecture slides) will be provided on the course website: http://safari.ethz.ch/ddca/ The video recordings of the lectures are likely to be made available, but there may be delays associated with the posting of online videos.
Literature	Patt and Patel's "Introduction to Computing Systems" and Harris and Harris's "Digital Design and Computer Architecture" are the official textbooks of the course. We will provide required and recommended readings in every lecture since the course is cutting-edge and there is no textbook that covers what the course covers. They will be mostly chapters of the two textbooks, and important articles that are essential for understanding the material.
Competencies	Subject-specific Competencies Concepts and Theories assessed Techniques and Technologies assessed Method-specific Competencies Analytical Competencies assessed Problem-solving assessed Project Management fostered Social Competencies Communication assessed Cooperation and Teamwork fostered Personal Competencies Creative Thinking fostered Critical Thinking assessed Self-awareness and Self-reflection assessed Self-direction and Self-management assessed

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
In examination block for	Bachelor's Degree Programme in Computer Science 2016; Version 07.11.2024 (First Year Examination Block 2)
ECTS credits	7 credits
Examiners	F. K. Gürkaynak, S. Sadrosadati
Type	session examination
Language of examination	English
Repetition	The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit.
Mode of examination	written 180 minutes
Additional information on mode of examination	Eine Abschlussprüfung, insgesamt 180 Minuten (70%) Übungen (obligatorische kontinuierliche Leistungsbeurteilung) mit Vor-Ort-Beurteilung und Abgabe von Berichten (30%). Die Nichtbeteiligung in einer Übung ergibt die Note 1 (bzw. Null Punkte) in jener Übung. Hausaufgaben zur Unterstützung des Lernens und der Prüfungsvorbereitung (0%). One final exam of 180 min (70%). Lab assignments (compulsory continuous performance assessments) with meeting-based assessment and submission of lab reports (30%). Not participating in a lab assignment incurs grade 1 (or zero points) in that lab assignment. Homeworks to aid learning and exam preparation (0%).
Written aids	No books, papers, computers, phones, calculators, or other electronic devices are allowed. Maximum 6 A4 hand-written pages (i.e., 3 double-sided A4 sheets or 6 one-sided A4 sheets) with notes are allowed. Bücher, Publikationen, Computer, Mobiltelefone, Taschenrechner oder andere elektronische Geräte sind nicht erlaubt. Maximal sechs A4 Seiten mit handschriftlichen Notizen sind erlaubt (d.h. drei beidseitig beschriftete A4 Seiten, oder sechs einseitig beschriftete A4 Seiten).
If the course unit is part of an examination block, the credits are allocated for the successful completion of the whole block. This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding.

Learning materials

Groups

Restrictions

Offered in

Programme	Section	Type
Computer Science Bachelor	First Year Examination Block 2	O