This course introduces embedded systems, along with fundamental computer organization, assembly language programming, and mixed language programming with C and assembly. Using a modern microcontroller and embedded systems IDE, such as the ARM Cortex-M0+ and Keil Microcontroller Development Kit, the course covers embedded programming concepts and interface modules, as well as addressing methods, machine instructions, assembler directives, macro definitions, code relocatability, subroutine linkage, data structures, I/O programming, exception processing, and interrupts. Program design techniques necessary to write efficient, maintainable device drivers are considered.

The course covers various aspects of advanced uniprocessor computer architecture design. Instruction set architecture design alternatives are discussed with emphasis on the Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture. Techniques to enhance CPU performance such as pipelined execution optimizations, conditional branch handling techniques, exploitation of instruction-level parallelism, multiple-instruction issue, and dynamic scheduling are studied. Cache, and memory hierarchy design and performance issues are also presented. The design aspects of efficient and reliable input/output systems are also covered. The course concludes with an introduction to concepts of multiprocessor systems design.

The course introduces basic concepts of parallel and high-performance computing and current methodologies and trends in the design and programming of multiprocessor systems. Theoretical models of parallel computing and performance metrics are studied and contrasted with practical parallel system architectures, programming environments, and benchmarking techniques. Parallel architectures are classified according to mode and degree of parallelism, memory organization, and type and typology of interconnection networks used in the design. The suitability of various architectures in meeting demands is studied in depth including the study of representative examples of current commercial machines. Students will complete programming assignments on a parallel computer illustrating practical issues. A review and analysis of a commercial parallel processor system or an active research area is required; written review presented in class.