96007 - Foundations of Computer Architecture and Operating Systems

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the basic understanding (principles and methods of logical design of the digital devices transmitting, processing and generating two-value signals, and learns how to describe a device from a double point of view: its behaviour ("what it does") and structure ("what it is made of"). The student knows the computer architecture and its level-oriented structuring and understands the low-level languages for computer programming. The student learns the functions of the Operating System, knows the problems of the multi-user and concurrency systems, the character user interface and the filesystem structure.

Course contents

The course is subdivided into the following three modules:

1. Logic design of the information processing devices

   -- Design levels of a digital device. Signal classification. Switch networks
   -- Binary representation of information
   -- Processing string of symbols
   -- Digital devices classification: combinational, asynchronous and synchronous sequential logic networks
   -- The finite state machine model
   -- The combinational logic network
   -- Real combinational networks: transient and steady-state behaviour

2. Level architecture of the information processing device

   -- Computer and peripherals architecture
   -- The ISA level
   -- Introduction to the assembly language

3. The Operating System level
   -- Functions of the Operating System

   -- Basics of memory management; basic concept of CPU scheduling; Character User Interface: the bash (basics)
   -- Multi-user systems: basics of concurrency and concurrent programming

 

Readings/Bibliography

• R. H. Katz, G. Borriello, “Contemporary Logic Design”, 2^nd Ed., Prentice Hall, 2005
• Silberschatz, P.B. Galvin, G. Gagne, “Sistemi operativi, concetti ed esempi”, 9/Ed., Pearson Education Italia, 2014
• S. Tanenbaum, T. Austin, “Architettura dei Calcolatori”, 6/Ed., Pearson Education Limited, 2013

Teaching methods

Classroom lecture and practical

Assessment methods

The students will be evaluated through a classroom practice made of two exercises, for as many modules. For the STUDENTS IN THE PHYSICAL CLASSROOM, the oral examination is optional for the first module and contributes for at most three marks, added to or subtracted from the mark achieved in the written examination. For the STUDENTS IN DAD, a supplemental oral examination can be required by the teacher and the final evaluation is comprehensive.

Teaching tools

In the course site all the slides shown in the classroom are available for download

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Bevilacqua

See the website of Guido Borghi