1. list the main parts of processors and computers
2. explain how processors execute instructions
3. explain the function of the main parts of a processor
4. solve simple programming problems in assembly language
5. explain the interfacing and communication between processor, memoy, and IO units
6. solve simple problems of communication between processor and IO units

Lectures are held every week (4 hours per week). Theoretical foundations of computer architecture are explained together with practical programming examples using assembly language.

Students solve simple problems using assembly language programming.

Students write, debugg and execute assembly programs by using a computer architecture simulator.

1. Overview and history of computer architecture, Multiple representations/layers of interpretation (hardware is just another layer), Bits, bytes, and words, Numeric data representation and number bases, Fixed- and floating-point systems, Signed and twos-complement representations, Representation of non-numeric data (character codes, graphical data), Representation of records and arrays
2. Basic organization of the von Neumann machine, Control unit; Instruction fetch, decode, and execution, Instruction sets and types (data manipulation, control, I/O), Registers; Register transfer notation
3. Assembly/machine language programming, Instruction formats, Addressing modes
4. Assembly/machine language programming
5. Assembly/machine language programming, Subroutine call and return mechanisms
6. I/O and interrupts, I/O fundamentals (handshaking, buffering, programmed I/O, interrupt-driven I/O), Interrupt structures (vectored and prioritized, interrupt acknowledgment)
7. External storage, physical organization, and drives, Buses: bus protocols, arbitration, direct-memory access (DMA)
8. Midterm exam
9. Control unit; Instruction fetch, decode, and execution, Instruction sets and types (data manipulation, control, I/O), Instruction formats, Addressing modes
10. Assembly/machine language programming
11. I/O and interrupts, I/O fundamentals (handshaking, buffering, programmed I/O, interrupt-driven I/O), Interrupt structures (vectored and prioritized, interrupt acknowledgment)
12. Main memory organization and operations, Buses: bus protocols, arbitration, direct-memory access (DMA)
13. Implementation of simple datapaths (including instruction pipelining, hazard detection, and resolution)
14. Storage systems and their technology, Memory hierarchy (importance of temporal and spatial locality), Main memory organization and operations, Latency, cycle time, bandwidth, and interleaving
15. Final exam