Introduction to Computer Hardware and Architecture Concepts

What is the primary focus of ECEC 500?

Fundamentals of Computer Hardware, equivalent to ECE 350.

What are the recommended textbooks for ECEC 500?

Digital Design and Computer Architecture, RISC-V Edition; Computer Arithmetic Algorithms, 2nd Edition; Computer Organization and Design RISC-V Edition.

Who is the teaching assistant for ECEC 500?

Ms. Shadi Matinizadeh.

What is the grade distribution for ECEC 500?

Quizzes: 30%, Midterm: 10%, Projects: 60%.

What is the policy on makeup midterms in ECEC 500?

There are no makeup midterms.

What is the consequence of using generative AI in ECEC 500?

First offense: Zero on the project/exam; Second offense: Failure of the course and report to academic integrity office.

What is the significance of Verilog/SystemVerilog in ECEC 500?

It is essential for coding in hardware description language for IC design and FPGA design.

What is the role of simulation in ECEC 500?

It is crucial for design verification and involves developing testbenches to verify design functionality.

What does synthesis involve in the context of ECEC 500?

Transforming HDL code into a netlist describing the hardware and analyzing power consumption and setup/hold violations.

What platform will be used in ECEC 500?

FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

What are the four essential hardware components of a computer?

CPU, Memory (RAM), Storage Devices, Input/Output Devices.

What is the function of the CPU in a computer system?

It executes instructions and acts as the 'brain' of the computer.

What does RAM stand for and what is its purpose?

Random Access Memory; it provides temporary storage for active programs and data.

What are the two main types of memory architecture?

Von Neumann Architecture and Harvard Architecture.

What is the key characteristic of Von Neumann Architecture?

It has a single memory space for both instructions and data.

What is the main advantage of Harvard Architecture?

It allows simultaneous access to instructions and data due to separate memory spaces.

What is Flynn's Taxonomy?

A classification of computer architectures based on instruction and data streams: SISD, SIMD, MISD, MIMD.

What does SISD stand for in Flynn's Taxonomy?

Single Instruction Single Data.

What does SIMD stand for in Flynn's Taxonomy?

Single Instruction Multiple Data.

What is the definition of Control Flow Architecture?

A program execution model where the sequence is determined by control statements.

What is the difference between Control Flow Architecture and Dataflow Architecture?

Control Flow Architecture follows a sequence of instructions, while Dataflow Architecture executes operations based on data availability.

What is the purpose of abstraction in computer architecture?

To hide details when they aren't important, simplifying the design process.

What does the term 'discipline' refer to in the context of computer hardware design?

Intentionally restricting design choices to simplify the design process.

What are the three principles of managing complexity in computer architecture?

Hierarchy, Modularity, Regularity.

What is the role of a testbench in simulation?

To verify the design functionality by observing design behavior under different input stimuli.

What is the significance of the instruction set architecture (ISA) in ECEC 500?

It defines the software specification of a computer and is crucial for understanding hardware-software interaction.