ELT 256 Advanced Computer Architecture

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 4

Emphasizes system installation and troubleshooting of both hardware and software in lab sessions. Intended for students with a solid foundation in digital logic, microprocessors and programming. Explains advanced computer system theory. Promotes and supports sustainable and green technologies.

Prerequisite: ELT 253 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Discuss current computer system architectures and theories.
Logically troubleshoot a computer, both hardware and software.
Install both the software and hardware needed to set up and troubleshoot a computer system.
Use industry standards to document all work.

Content Outline

Review of Digital Logic Circuits
Review of Microprocessor Concepts
Data Representation
- Fixed point representation
- Floating point representation
- Error detection codes
Register Transfer and Micro-Operations
The Intel Family of Microprocessors
- 8086/8088
- 80286
- 80386
- 80486
- Pentium and beyond
Basic Computer Organization and Design
Computer Software
- Programming languages
- Assemblers and debuggers
- Operating systems
- In-circuits
Central Processor Organization
- Processor bus
- ALU
- Stack organization
- Addressing modes
- Data transfer and manipulation
- Parallel processing
Arithmetic Processor Design and Arithmetic Algorithms
Input-Output Organization
- Direct memory access
- Interrupt
- Input-output processor
- Multiprocessor system organization
- Data Communication organization
Memory Organization
- Memory hierarchy
- Associative memory
- Virtual memory
- Cache memory
- Memory management and segmentation
Parallel Systems
- Multicomputer systems
- Multiprocessor systems
- Array systems
- Pipeline systems
Test Equipment and System Diagnostics
- Internal bus standards
- External bus standards