Computer Architecture and Organization

Code

IT-CAO1

Version

4.0

Offered by

ICT Engineering

ECTS

Prerequisites

None

Main purpose

The main purpose is to gain a basic understanding of the organization and design of computers and how a computer works. There will be a focus on the central processing unit (CPU) and the necessary logic involved in building a CPU.

Knowledge

Having completed this course, the student is able to:

- Describe and apply numbering representations, including two’s complement to represent negative numbers in the binary numbering representation
- Identify the functionality of basic logic gates and be able to combine them into half- and full-adders, flip/flops, etc.
- Describe Boolean algebra and its relation to digital circuits
- Describe the architecture of simple CPUs and how they function, explain the build and working behavior of basic building blocks of CPUs (registers, ALUs, etc.)

Skills

Having completed this course, the student should be able to:

- Create functioning assembler programs for microcontrollers
- Analyse ASM programs (AVR MCU) and calculate execution time
- Execute and debug assembler programs
- Analyze and describe simple logical circuits (Boolean expressions)
- Apply Boolean algebra to reduce digital circuits.

Competences

Having completed this course, students should be able to:

- Describe the functionality of the components of basic computer architectures
- Apply mathematical theory to understand low-level computer architecture and programming
- Create simple logic circuits used in CPUs
- Create applications using assembler programming
- Integrate simple I/O devices in embedded applications.

Topics

Teaching methods and study activities

The required workload for students is estimated at 137 hours where approximately 41 hours (55 lessons of 45 minutes) are in category 1 and 2 of the Student Activity Model.

Resources

Muhammad Ali Mazidi, Sarmad Naimi and Sepehr Naimi - The AVR Microcontroller and Embedded Systems using Assembly and C.

Other resources made available on itslearning.

Evaluation

Examination

Exam prerequisites:

1. Attendance (≥ 75%)
2. Two assignments approved.

If the exam prerequisites are not met, the student must complete a written assignment in WISEflow to qualify for the re-exam.
This assignment will be scheduled after the ordinary exam.

Type of exam:
Written exam, 2 hours
The exam is digital, and it is the responsibility of the student to bring a computer that works together with WISEflow and FLOWlock.
External assessment.

Tools allowed:
Course literature and personal notes.

Re-exam:
Same as the ordinary exam.

Grading criteria

Grading based on the Danish 7-point scale.

Additional information

Responsible

Laurits Anesen (laua)

Valid from

01-08-2023 00:00:00

Course type

Keywords

Boolean logic, Boolean gates, ALU, CPU, Memory, Electronic circuit, Assembly