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MC116 Computer Systems
| Credits: 20 |
Convenor: Dr. A. Janes |
Semester: 1 |
| Prerequisites: |
|
|
| Assessment: |
Coursework: 30% |
Three hour exam in January: 70% |
| Lectures: |
30 |
Classes: |
none |
| Tutorials: |
2 |
Private Study: |
116 |
| Labs: |
none |
Seminars: |
none |
| Project: |
none |
Other: |
2 |
| Total: |
150 |
|
|
Explanation of Pre-requisites
No specific knowledge is required, but a very rudimentary understanding of
digital electronics and/or logic would be of some help.
Course Description
A study of the hardware and the software in a modern computer.
Aims
To gain a basic knowledge in the structure and operation of a computer of
the 1990's. This involves an understanding of the overall construction, the
components therein, and the interaction of their hardware and software. It
includes a study of the interface both into and out-of the computer. As
such it will also therefore cover microcontroller applications.
Objectives
The students will be tested both on their absorption of the basic facts and
concepts, and also on their ability to apply that knowledge to problem
solving in a given hardware/software situations. This will help highlight
the capabilities and limitations of the various scenarios.
Transferable Skills
To be able to appreciate the capabilities and the limitations of a
stand-aloe or a networks computer. To be aware as to how much a system can
be upgraded. To have the initial appreciation of designing a stand alone
microcontroller based system.
Syllabus
Concept of Layers, or abstractions" of the entire system. Digital
electronics, the basic building blocks of a computer system. The internal
components of a computer, with their interrelation and their interaction.
The microprocessor, VonNeumann versus Harvard architecture. Working memory.
Storage of numbers. Operation of the microprocessor (hardware and
software). Software, the machine code program operation, signals/timing
from microprocessor. Assembling, HLL, interpreting, compiling. Source
code, object code. Interface between a computer and the outside, structure
of ports. Polling versus interrupts. Peripherals: input, output.
External" memory.
Reading list
Recommended:
Mano,
Computer System Architecture, 3rd edition,
Prentice Hall, 1993.
Hayes,
Computer Architecture and Organization, 2nd edition,
McGraw Hill, 1988.
Tanenbaum,
Structured Computer Organization,
Prentice Hall, 1990.
Background:
Hamacher, Vranesic and Zaky,
Computer Organization, 4th edition,
McGraw Hill, 1996.
MacCabe,
Computer Systems,
Irwin, 1993.
Baron and Higbie,
Computer Architecture,
Addison Wesley, 1992.
Willis,
Computer Architecture and Communications, 2nd edition,
McGraw Hill, 1994.
Clements,
The Principles of Computer Hardware,
Oxford University Press, 1991.
Next: MC117 Operating Systems and
Up: Year 1
Previous: MC115 Information Systems
Roy L. Crole
10/22/1998