Advanced Topics in Computer Architecture
Principal lecturers: Prof Simon Moore, Prof Robert Mullins, Prof Timothy Jones
Additional lecturer: Dr Jonathan Woodruff
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”.
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:
Theme A: Advanced computer architecture
- Trends in computer architecture
- State-of-the-art microprocessor design
Theme B: Predictors
- Branch prediction and speculative execution
- Memory systems including caching and instruction/data prefetch
Theme C: Secure computer architecture
- Memory safety
- Mitigating side channel vulnerabilities
Theme D: Accelerators/other forms of compute
- GPGPUs
- 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 and marking
The module is assessed through four essays and a series of presentations.
Essays: 80%
Each student will submit four essays, with one essay covering each of the module's four themes. Students may choose which week they would like to submit an essay for each theme.
Each essay should be 1,500 words, with a permitted variation of 10%. The four essays together are worth 80% of the overall module mark.
Presentations: 20%
Each student will also deliver a number of presentations during the module. The exact number will depend on the size of the class, but all students will complete the same number of presentations. For example, if there are 14 students, each student will give two presentations.
Presentation weeks will be allocated before the module begins. Allocations will be made on a partly random basis, and students will be informed in advance so that they can plan their essay submissions accordingly.
All presentations together are worth 20% of the overall module mark.
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)