Course detail

Processor Architecture

FIT-ACHAcad. year: 2014/2015

The course covers architecture of universal as well as special-purpose processors. Instruction-level parallelism (ILP) is studied on scalar, superscalar and VLIW processors. Then the processors with thread-level parallelism (TLP) are discussed. Data parallelism is illustrated on SIMD streaming instructions and on graphical processors (SIMT). Parallelization of numerical calculations for GPU is also covered (CUDA). Techniques of  low-power processors are also explained.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Václav Dvořák, DrSc.

Department

Department of Computer Systems (UPSY)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Overview of processor microarchitecture and its future trends, ability to compare processors and using suitable tools, simulate the influence of changes in their architecture. Get acquainted with processor performance measurement. The knowledge of architecture and hardware support of parallel computation on graphic processors can be directly applied for acceleration of intensive calculations. 

Prerequisites

Von Neumann computer architecture, memory hierarchy, programming in assembly language, compiler's tasks and functions

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Not applicable.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

To get 20 out of 40 points for projects and midterm examination.

Course curriculum

    Syllabus of lectures:
    1. Scalar processors. Pipelined instruction processing and compiler asistance
    2. Superscalar CPU. Dynamic instruction scheduling, branch prediction.
    3. Advanced superscalar processing techniques: register renaming, data flow through memory hierarchy.
    4. Optimization of instruction and data fetching. Examples of superscalar CPUs.
    5. VLIW processors. SW pipelining, predication, binary translation.
    6. Multi-threaded processors. Performance measurement and evaluation (PAPI).
    7. Low power processors.
    8. Data parallelism. SIMD extensions, SWAR, and SIMT inside GPU.
    9. Architecture of graphics processing units.
    10. CUDA programming language, thread and memory model.
    11. Synchronisation and reduction on GPU, design and tuning of GPU codes.
    12. Stream processing, multi-GPU systems, GPU libraries.
    13. Architecture of many core systems (MIC, Xeon Phi) and their programming.

    Syllabus of numerical exercises:
    Tutorials are not scheduled for this course.
    Syllabus - others, projects and individual work of students:
    • Superscalar technique of instruction processing (SuperScalar simulator.
    • Processor performance measurement
    • GPGPU, programming assignment. 

     

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

To familiarize students with architecture of the newest processors exploiting the instruction-level, thread-level and data-level parallelism. To clarify the role of a compiler and its cooperation with CPU. To be able to orientate oneself on the processor market, to evaluate and compare various CPUs. Next to familiarize with architecture of graphical processors and its use for acceleration of numerical calculations (GPGPU), and with low-power techniques in processors for mobile applications.  

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Assessment of three small projects, 26 hours in total (5 + 8 + 13) and a midterm examination.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Baer, J.L.: Microprocessor Architecture. Cambridge University Press, 2010, 367 s., ISBN 978-0-521-76992-1. Hennessy, J.L., Patterson, D.A.: Computer Architecture - A Quantitative Approach. 5. vydání, Morgan Kaufman Publishers, Inc., 2012, 1136 s., ISBN 1-55860-596-7.  Kirk, D., and Hwu, W.: Programming Massively Parallel Processors: A Hands-on Approach, Elsevier, 2010, s. 256, ISBN: 978-0-12-381472-2 Jeffers, J., and Reinders, J.: Intel Xeon Phi Coprocessor High Performance Programming, 2013, Morgan Kaufmann, p. 432), ISBN: 978-0-124-10414-3

Recommended reading

aktuální PPT prezentace přednášek http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs152/sp13/https://www.anandtech.comAgner Fog: Software optimization resourcesIntel Architecture Optimization ManualNvidia CUDA SDK Manual

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme IT-MSC-2 Master's

    branch MBI , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch MBS , 0 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MIN , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch MIS , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch MMI , 0 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    branch MMM , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch MPV , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    branch MGM , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
    branch MSK , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Václav Dvořák, DrSc.

Syllabus

  1. Scalar processors. Pipelined instruction processing and compiler asistance
  2. Superscalar CPU. Dynamic instruction scheduling, branch prediction.
  3. Advanced superscalar processing techniques: register renaming, data flow through memory hierarchy.
  4. Optimization of instruction and data fetching. Examples of superscalar CPUs.
  5. VLIW processors. SW pipelining, predication, binary translation.
  6. Multi-threaded processors. Performance measurement and evaluation (PAPI).
  7. Low power processors.
  8. Data parallelism. SIMD extensions, SWAR, and SIMT inside GPU.
  9. Architecture of graphics processing units.
  10. CUDA programming language, thread and memory model.
  11. Synchronisation and reduction on GPU, design and tuning of GPU codes.
  12. Stream processing, multi-GPU systems, GPU libraries.
  13. Architecture of many core systems (MIC, Xeon Phi) and their programming.

Project

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Václav Dvořák, DrSc.