Entry requirements

Algebra and geometry. Program Design. Information technology.

Aims

The course provides basic knowledge of the design

principles of processors, including

multiprocessors, memories and i/o systems, systems

programs such as operating systems and

compilers and their interaction with hardware and

programming systems. The student also gains

some experience in computer system design projects.

Content

Processor architecture, e.g. RISC. Machine language

programming. Microprogramming. Hardware

description languages. Processes, and process

interaction including process scheduling. Kernels

and run time systems. Memory and name management,

eg paging and segmentation. Memory

allocation methods. I/O systems and file

management. Information protection and security.

Multiprocessor architectures and algorithms.

Cache coherence and memory consistency. Pipe

lining. Introduction to distributed systems.

Lexical and syntax analysis of programming

languages and code generation. Compiler compilers.

A design project.

Instruction

Lectures, lessons and project work.

Assessment

Two written examinations and fulfilment of a design project.