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[CS 245: Course Outline]  [CS 245: Assignments]  [CS 245: Study Aids]

[Course Description]  [Course Prerequisites]  [Required Text]  [Required Software] 

[Class Score Calculation]  [Grading Scale]

IMPORTANT: Schedules, assignments, and policies are subject to change. You will be given advance notification of any changes.

Course Description:

Register and processor level design of computer systems including the ALU and control unit; assemblers, linkage editors, loaders, evolution and classification of computer architectures; memory hierarchy, I/O interfaces; techniques for analyzing system performance.

Topics:

Combinational Logic
Sequential Logic
Instruction Types
Addressing Modes
Register Transfer Language
Operation of Assemblers, Linkers & Loaders
Number Representations in a CPU
ALU
Computer Price v.s. Computer Performance
RISC v.s. CISC Architectures
Princeton v.s. Harvard Architectures
Datapath
Hardwire Control Unit (State Machine)
Microprogrammed Control Unit (ROM Controller)
Hardwire v.s. Microprogrammed Control
Pipelined Processing
Memory Hierarchy (Main, Cache & Virtual Memory)
Input/Output Devices

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Course Prerequisites:

CS 113 Program Design & Algorithms

CoE 243/244 Digital Logic/Lab

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Required Text:

Computer Systems: Organization & Architecture by John Carpinelli (ISBN 0-201-61253-4)

Recommended Texts:

Data Books (TTL, CMOS, Memory, etc.)

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Required Software: 

Relatively Simple CPU Simulator: Design/simulation software for homework and  CPU project.

FREE Digital Works Software:  This is a Freeware program that allows hierarchal digital circuit design and simulation.  Also download a basic tutorial, Getting Started with Digital Works, by Dan Stanzione.

FREE CircuitMaker Software: This is a student version of CircuitMaker 6.  You may download and use this free circuit design/simulation software on your personal computer.  It allows you to enter your analog or digital circuit as a schematic and then simulate its operation.

CUPL: Source code compiler for Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs).

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Class Score Calculation:

Exams & Quizzes: 50%
Homework:           20%
CPU Project:         30%

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Grading Scale:

90% - 100%  A
80% - 89%    B
70% - 79%    C
60% - 69%    D

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