Advanced Topics in Computer Architecture
Principal lecturers: Dr Robert Mullins, Prof Simon Moore, Prof Timothy Jones
Taken by: MPhil ACS, Part III
Code: R265
Term: Michaelmas
Hours: 16 (8 x 2-hour sessions)
Class limit: max. 15 students
Prerequisites: An undergraduate course in computer architecture. A good basic understanding of computer architecture will also suffice, e.g. provided by the Patterson and Hennessy book “The Hardware/Software Interface” and/or the early chapters of their book “Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach”.
Moodle, timetable
Aims
This course aims to provide students with an introduction to a range of advanced topics in computer architecture. It will explore the current and future challenges facing the architects of modern computers. These will also be used to illustrate the many different influences and trade-offs involved in computer architecture.
Objectives
On completion of this module students should:
- understand the challenges of designing and verifying modern microprocessors
- be familiar with recent research themes and emerging challenges
- appreciate the complex trade-offs at the heart of computer architecture
Syllabus
Each seminar will focus on a different topic. The proposed topics are listed below but there may be some minor changes to this:
- Trends in computer architecture
- State-of-the-art microprocessor design
- Memory system design
- Hardware reliability
- Specification, verification and test (may be be replaced with a different topic)
- Hardware security (2)
- HW accelerators and accelerators for machine learning
Each two hour seminar will include three student presentations (15mins) questions (5mins) and a broader discussion of the topics (around 30mins). The last part of the seminar will include a short scene setting lecture (around 20mins) to introduce the following week's topic.
Assessment
Each week students will compare and contrast two of the main papers and submit a written summary and review in advance of each seminar (except when presenting).
Students will be expected to give a number of 15 minute presentations.
Essays and presentations will be marked out of 10. After dropping the lowest mark, the remaining marks will be scaled to give a final score out of 100.
Students will give at least one presentation during the course. They will not be required to submit an essay during the weeks they are presenting.
Each presentation will focus on a single paper from the reading list. Marks will be awarded for clarity and the communication of the paper's key ideas, an analysis of the work's strengths and weaknesses and the work’s relationship to related work and broader trends and constraints.
Recommended prerequisite reading
Patterson, D. A., Hennessy, J. L. (2017). Computer organization and design: The Hardware/software interface RISC-V edition Morgan Kaufmann. ISBN 978-0-12-812275-4.
Hennessy, J. and Patterson, D. (2012). Computer architecture: a quantitative approach. Elsevier (5th ed.) ISBN 9780123838728. (the 3rd and 4th editions are also relevant)
Further Information
Due to infectious respiratory diseases, the method of teaching for this module may be adjusted to cater for physical distancing and students who are working remotely. Unless otherwise advised, this module will be taught in person.