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CIT314Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Computer Architecture & Organization II

This course explores computer architecture and organization, focusing on memory systems, addressing modes, and control mechanisms. It covers memory hierarchy, virtual memory, and various control unit designs, including hardware, microprogrammed, and asynchronous approaches. The course also delves into fault-tolerant computing, examining methods for detecting and tolerating faults in computer architectures. Students will gain insights into optimizing computer memories, designing architectures, and managing computer faults.

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120h
Study Time
13
Weeks
9h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Computer ArchitectureMemory SystemsAddressing ModesControl UnitsFault Tolerance

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Memory Systems

2

Memory Addressing

3

Memory Hierarchy

4

Virtual Memory

5

Control Units

6

Fault Tolerance

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Computer Architect

Apply your skills in this growing field

System Designer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Embedded Systems Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Hardware Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

System Administrator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Computer ManufacturingEmbedded SystemsAerospaceTelecommunicationsCloud Computing

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Memory System

7h

Unit 1: Main Memories

4 study hours
  • •Read about main memory types (SRAM, DRAM) and their characteristics.
  • •Solve problems related to memory capacity and access time.

Unit 2: Auxiliary Memories

3 study hours
  • •Study different auxiliary memory devices like magnetic tapes and disks.
  • •Compare their storage capacities and access speeds.
Week
2

Module 1: Memory System

7h

Unit 3: Memory Access Methods

4 study hours
  • •Learn about sequential, random, direct, and associative access methods.
  • •Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Unit 4: Memory Mapping and Virtual Memories

3 study hours
  • •Study memory mapping techniques and virtual memory concepts.
  • •Solve problems related to address translation.
Week
3

Module 1: Memory System

7h

Unit 5: Replacement Algorithms

4 study hours
  • •Explore different replacement algorithms like FIFO, LRU, and optimal.
  • •Simulate these algorithms with different page reference strings.

Unit 6: Data Transfer Modes

3 study hours
  • •Study different data transfer modes like programmed I/O, interrupt-driven I/O, and DMA.
  • •Compare their efficiencies.
Week
4

Module 1: Memory System

7h

Unit 7: Parallel Processing

4 study hours
  • •Learn about parallel processing techniques and their advantages.
  • •Study different parallel processing architectures.

Unit 8: Pipelining

3 study hours
  • •Study pipelining concepts and its impact on performance.
  • •Solve problems related to pipeline hazards.
Week
5

Module 2: Memory Addressing and Hierarchy Systems

5h

Unit 1: Memory Addressing

5 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of memory address modes and their importance.
  • •Study different addressing modes like direct, indirect, and indexed.
Week
6

Module 2: Memory Addressing and Hierarchy Systems

5h

Unit 2: Elements of Memory Hierarchy

5 study hours
  • •Study the elements of memory hierarchy and their characteristics.
  • •Analyze the advantages of memory hierarchy.
Week
7

Module 2: Memory Addressing and Hierarchy Systems

5h

Unit 3: Virtual Memory control systems

5 study hours
  • •Learn about virtual memory control systems and their components.
  • •Study paging, segmentation, and address mapping techniques.
Week
8

Module 3: Control Unit Methods

5h

Unit 1: Hardware control

5 study hours
  • •Study the concept of hardware control units and their design.
  • •Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of hardware control.
Week
9

Module 3: Control Unit Methods

5h

Unit 2: Micro-Programmed Control

5 study hours
  • •Learn about micro-programmed control units and their design.
  • •Compare hardware and micro-programmed control units.
Week
10

Module 3: Control Unit Methods

5h

Unit 3: Asynchronous Control

5 study hours
  • •Study asynchronous control units and their advantages.
  • •Learn about asynchronous communication and data transfer.
Week
11

Module 4: Fault Tolerance Computing

4h

Unit 1: Fault Tolerant Computing

4 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of fault-tolerant computing and its importance.
  • •Study hardware and software fault-tolerant issues.
Week
12

Module 4: Fault Tolerance Computing

4h

Unit 2: Methods for Fault Tolerant Computing

4 study hours
  • •Learn about methods for fault-tolerant computing, including fault tree analysis and fault detection methods.
  • •Study fault tolerance architecture and fault models.
Week
13

Module 4: Fault Tolerance Computing

6h

Final Revision

6 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Solve practice problems and review key concepts.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking memory hierarchy levels (Units 1-2)

2

Practice address translation problems from Unit 3 weekly

3

Compare and contrast control unit designs (Units 7-9) in detail

4

Review fault tolerance methods (Units 10-11) and their trade-offs

5

Focus on key definitions and concepts from all modules

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