Foundations of Computers

On this subject the aim is to give students a complete vision of the basic architecture of a computer, analyzing in detail the different functional blocks on which it consists. It is studied the impact of the technology on the architecture of computers. They are considered to be especially the most important techniques for the design of the processor, and for the control of other functional units, as the memory organization and the input/output.

1. Introduction to Computer Architecture
-Components of a computer
-Program execution
-Performance evaluation
-Memory organization


2.Representation formats
-Classification of information
-Fixed-point numbers
-Floating-point numbers
-Character representation

3.Instruction Set Architecture
-Programmer's view
-Instruction representation
-Addressing modes
-Instruction examples
-Pseudoinstructions

4.Computer Arithmetic
-Fixed-point arithmetic
-Addition, subtraction, and multiplication in fixed-point
-Floating-point arithmetic
-Addition, subtraction, and multiplication in floating-point
-Floating-point rounding


5.The Processor: Data Path and Control Unit
-Basic processor structure
-Data path
-Control unit
-Examples and design of new instructions

6.Memory Hierarchy
-Computer memory
-Memory hierarchy
-Cache memory
-Direct-mapped caches
-Associative caches
-Reducing cache miss penalty

7.Input/Output
-Input/Output and storage devices
-Hard disk
-Connecting CPU, Memory, and I/O
-I/O operations

Basic texts:
- PATTERSON, David A., HENNESSY John L. Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface. ARM Edition 1ª edición, Morgan Kaufmann, 2017, ISBN-13: 978-0128017333.
- PATTERSON, David A., HENNESSY John L. Computer Organization and Design. The Hardware/Software Interface, 5ª edición. Morgan Kaufmann, 2014, ISBN-13: 978-0124077263.

Auxiliary texts:
- GARCÍA CARBALLEIRA , Félix, CARRETERO PÉREZ, Jesús, GARCÍA SÁNCHEZ, José Daniel, EXPÓSITO SINGH, David. Problemas resueltos de Estructura de Computadores, 1ª edición, Editorial Paraninfo, 2015, ISBN-13: 978-8428337014
- HAMACHER, Carl. Organización de Computadores, 5ª edición. McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN-13: 978-8448139513.

The basic texts are the recommended. All the books are available from the editorials at this moment. Additional information that is free in the web for access will be provided by using pdfs and links that will be shared using the Campus Virtual. The same will be done with the presentations used during the classes.

Students will acquire the basic concepts of the functioning of a computer and techniques to take advantage of them to increase the performance in its programming. The specific skills to be acquired in this subject can be obtained in the memory of the "Grado en Ingeniería Informática", USC, pages 20-28

The material of work for this subject includes the basic books, available in the library, and the copy of the transparencies used in the explanations. Support will be used in the Virtual Campus of the USC.

The classes in small groups will complete the contents explained during the classes of theory.

The general competences CG4, CG6 and CG8 will be carried out during the classes of theory as well as the traversal competence TR1, and the specific ones FB5, RI9, and TI2.

The classes in reduced groups will deepen in the contents studied during the other classes. The activities will include problem solving, practices to be solved in couples, and practices to be solved in bigger groups. The free software programs Simula3MS and SimulaCache will be used to simulate different structures of the computer. Theses classes will contribute to work on the following competences: general competences CG6 and CG9, traversal competences TR2 and TR3, and the specific competence TI2.

REQUIREMENTS TO PASS IN ANY EXAMINATION:

To pass the subject, it will be essential to obtain the minimum passing score (5 out of 10) both in the continuous assessment part and in the exam part.

ORDINARY SUMMONS (JUNE)

- There will be a theoretical examination (theory and problems) at the end of the four-month period (ordinary summons in June). It will be an essential condition to pass this subject to pass this theoretical examination with at least 5 over 10 points. Its valuation will be the 60 % of the final mark.

- For the 40 % of the remaining mark it will be done a continuous assessment of the student associated to the work made at interactive classes in limited groups. In the assessment there will be included the accomplishment of exercises, works, and tests of follow-up the practices to make / deliver at classes. It will be essential to pass this part of continuous assessment to pass the subject. It will be necessary to obtain at least 5 points over 10 to pass the continuous assessment.

Attendance to the classroom / laboratory will be compulsory in the schedule assigned for every student for the limited groups only when some of the evaluation activities is carried out. The dates of these evaluation activities will be published in the virtual campus at the beginning of the quarter


EXTRAORDINARY SUMMONS (JULY)

- There will be a theoretical examination (theory and problems). It will be an essential condition to pass this subject to pass this theoretical examination. Its valuation will be approximately the 50 % of the final mark.

- The mark obtained in the process of continuous assessment will remain for July's summons. It will be essential to pass the subject to have passed this continuous assessment in the ordinary summons.

In general, the mark in the continuous assessment will remain for later summons. Anyway, students must ask to the teachers at the beginning of the quarter about preservation of the marks

Lectures: 16 on-site hours and 24.5 of autonomous study by the student.
Reduced groups: 10 on-site hours and 15 of personal work of the student dedicated to the learning based on problems and / or cases. 25 on-site hours and 37.5 of personal work of the student to make practices and other computer works.
Tutorials in very small groups: Up to a maximum of 3 on-site hours .

Continuous study of the subject with an active effort in the search of materials, accomplishment of exercises and preparation of the practices. The knowledge of basic notions of programming will help to the accomplishment of programming in assembled language practices. Furthermore it is necessary to control the concepts put in the subject Digital Systems of the first four-month period.

The course will be taught in Spanish and Galician.