Overview

This part of the course covers two topics related to computer architecture: interconnections and computer interfacing. Interconnections coordinate how different modules of a computer system communicate using shared buses. This course covers both serial and parallel buses and their common standards, as well as other techniques that improve the performance of shared buses such as arbitration, split bus transactions, multiple masters. Computer interfacing allows computerized system to interact with the external world. Typically, the external world is analog in nature while the computer system is digital. Hence, this part of the course covers analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters and their interfacing with computer systems.

Course Material

• Part I: Interconnections
• Part II: Computer Interfacing

Homework

• Homework 1
• Homework 2

Grades

• Midterm Exam (20)
• Term work (40): Midterm (20) + Quiz/Project (20)

Textbook

• Lecture notes are the primary reference

Useful Resources

• Efficient Reading of Technical Research Papers
• Writing an Effective Critique of Technical Research Papers
• AHB Signals Summary

Projects

• Term Project
• Input File

Grading Policy (Subject to Change)

• 70 Points: Final Exam
• 40 Points: 2 Labs
• 20 Points: Midterm
• 20 Points: Quiz/Project/Classwork

 

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