03716 - Digital Design Principles and Computer Architecture

Academic Year 2014/2015

  • Docente: Tullio Salmon Cinotti
  • Credits: 9
  • SSD: ING-INF/05
  • Language: Italian
  • Moduli: Tullio Salmon Cinotti (Modulo 1) Alfredo D'Elia (Modulo 2) Luca Roffia (Modulo 3)
  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 1); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 2); In-person learning (entirely or partially) (Modulo 3)
  • Campus: Cesena
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Biomedical Engineering (cod. 0946)

Learning outcomes

The course provides a reference framework to understand the behaviour of simple microprocessor based systems, focusing on:
 - logic design principles and reference model
- digital systems core components
- basics of computer architecture
- architecture impact on performance
- system design



Course contents

Information Coding and binary codes Analysis and synthesis of combinational, asynchronous and synchronous circuits Von Neumann conceptual model of stored program computers
Computer Architecture and performance
ISA (Instruction Set Architecture) RISC and CISC Architectures
CPU structure and ISA implementation:
Control Unit and Data path
Sequential implementation of a RISC processor (DLX)
Exception handling and input/output processing
Interfacing memory and and input/output devices to the microprocessor bus
Design of simple microprocessor based systems

Readings/Bibliography

Ashenden: "Digital Design" - Morgan Kaufmann pub. Inc.
Hennessy Patterson: "Computer architecture: a quantitative approach" - Morgan Kaufmann pub. Inc.

Teaching methods


Assessment methods

Assessment os based on a three test. Each test addresses a specific syllabus section.

Teaching tools


Office hours

See the website of Tullio Salmon Cinotti

See the website of Alfredo D'Elia

See the website of Luca Roffia