Module Details

Module Code: ELTR8007
Title: Computer Systems Design
Long Title: Computer Systems Design
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2019/20 ( January 2020 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5230 - Electronic Engineering
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module will examine and develop an appreciation of the issues that have influenced modern microprocessor-based computer systems and allow the student to critically evaluate and make architectural decisions for modern computing applications.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 describe the factors that influence the performance of microprocessors in typical use-case scenarios
LO2 critically evaluate different architectural approaches within microprocessors and systems design based on their intended end use
LO3 analyse and compare different processors, operating systems and platforms, selecting and presenting appropriate platforms for typical design problems
LO4 analyse and specify memory models as appropriate to modern computer systems
LO5 select and specify algorithms and system architectures to allow for parallel processing applications
LO6 demonstrate an appreciation of the legal and ethical considerations in the industry and choice of computing/processing platforms.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Completion of a Level 6/7 module with exposure to micro-processor systems and micro-controller systems
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
CPU/MPU Architectures
History of architectures, CISC, RISC, comparison, architectural decisions, VLIW, future directions
Development of Architectures
Bottlenecks, hazards and solutions, Harvard architectures, pipelining, parallelism, architectural, control & data hazards, vector processors
End use of Computer Systems - Architectural Requirements
Microprocessors Vs Microcontrollers, interrupt handling, interrupt vectors, vector maps and OS interaction
Memory Models
UMA/NUMA memory models, paged memory systems, applications to system architectures and computer management
Operating System & Virtualisation
Modern OS designs, requirements and implementations. Unix, Windows and Virtual Machines. Comparison and selection for applications
Parallel/Distributed Architectures
Algorithm partitioning, distribution, machine interconnection networks, message passing systems, MPP systems
Ethical and legal considerations
Examination of possible industry ethical and legal problems through case study, e.g. redundancy of decision making, hacking/security implications and corporate responsibility
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination60.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 40
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,6
Assessment Description
Continuous assessment based on a series of laboratory exercises and short reports. Some will be team/group based, i.e. (a) Individual research report on the system architecture and design features as used in the micro-processor of each student in their laptop/home computer and mobile phone, (b) report to choose a micro-processor platform for a particular specified application, (c) exercise to implement a virtualised platform using commercial tools, (d) lab exercise to design & write interrupts driven code on a commercial micro-processor and examine its operation, (e) group presentation examining the discovery of security weaknesses in commercial products and the industry legal responses.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 60
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lab Contact Lecture theory and laboratory exercises session (combined) Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lecture notes, resources, preparation for assessment deliverables Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lab Contact Lecture theory and laboratory exercises session (combined) Every Week 3.00 3
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Review of lecture notes, resources, preparation for assessment deliverables Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • John L. Hennessy, David A. Patterson,. (2018), Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, 6th Edition. Elsevier Technology/Morgan Kaufmann, [ISBN: 978-0123838728].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Maurice Herlihy & Nir Shavit. (2012), The Art of Multiprocessor Programming, Morgan Kaufmann, [ISBN: 978-012397337].
  • Yan Solihin. (2015), Fundamentals of Parallel Multicore Architecture, Chapman & Hall/CRC Computational Science, [ISBN: 978-148221118].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_EELES_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic Engineering 7 Mandatory