Computer Architecture (BCAC201) -

Deep Topic Analysis

Unit 1: Data Representation

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

Data representation is about how data (numbers, characters, symbols) is encoded in binary
form so that computers can store, interpret, and process it. This is fundamental because
computers operate on binary data. Without standardized formats for numbers, characters,
and operations, consistent computation wouldn't be possible.

2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?

Key concepts include number systems (binary, octal, decimal, hexadecimal), complements,
fixed and floating point representations, and IEEE 754 standards. They all relate as different
methods to represent data types within binary structures for accuracy, performance, and
compatibility in computation.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

Some prefer fixed-point for speed in simple embedded systems, while others opt for
floating-point for precision in scientific computing. There are debates around standard
compliance (e.g., IEEE 754) vs. performance trade-offs in specialized hardware like GPUs.

4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?

This knowledge is applied in developing compilers, designing processors, optimizing
algorithms for performance, building number crunching applications like simulations or
financial systems, and error-checking mechanisms in communication protocols.

5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
Questions like: How are subnormal numbers handled in IEEE 754? Why does floating point
sometimes result in rounding errors? Answers can be found in computer architecture
textbooks, IEEE standards documentation, and hands-on programming experiments using
languages like C or Python.

Unit 2: Computer Arithmetic

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

Computer arithmetic focuses on performing mathematical operations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division using binary formats. It is crucial because all
computations in computers are performed using binary arithmetic, making this knowledge
foundational to CPU operation.

2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?

Key concepts include signed magnitude, 1’s and 2’s complement, binary multiplication,
Booth’s algorithm, and division algorithms like restoring and non-restoring. They relate by
showing different methods to implement basic operations in hardware, with trade-offs
between simplicity and performance.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

There are debates on which methods are optimal for performance vs. simplicity. For
example, 2’s complement is preferred for subtraction because it simplifies hardware, while
Booth’s algorithm optimizes multiplication but requires additional control logic.

4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?

Used in designing arithmetic logic units (ALUs), creating embedded systems, optimizing
algorithms for numeric calculations, and developing low-level programming logic.

5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
Questions like: How does Booth’s algorithm handle overflow? Why are certain operations
slower in hardware? These can be explored through architecture textbooks and simulation
tools.

Unit 3: Register Transfer and Micro-operations

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

This topic covers the movement of data between registers and the basic operations that
occur at the hardware level. It's important because it defines the internal functioning of a
CPU and the execution of instructions.

2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?

Key concepts include RTL (Register Transfer Language), micro-operations (arithmetic,
logic, shift), common bus systems, and memory transfers. They form the core of how
instructions are implemented in hardware.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

Discussion points include centralized vs. decentralized bus systems and the efficiency of
control signals in coordinating operations.

4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?

Helpful in CPU design, debugging low-level instruction errors, and understanding how
software instructions translate into hardware execution.
5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
How is priority resolved on a shared bus? What’s the best way to optimize control signals?
Answers can be found in architecture references and RTL simulation platforms.

Unit 4: Basic Computer Organization and Design

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

This unit focuses on how a basic computer is structured and how data flows within it.
Understanding it is crucial to designing and analyzing computer systems.

2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?

Includes registers, instruction codes, addressing modes, memory reference, and instruction
cycles. They explain how instructions are fetched, decoded, and executed in a computer.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

Architects debate on microprogrammed vs. hardwired control, and the use of accumulator
vs. general-purpose registers in instruction design.

4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?

Used in designing CPUs, embedded systems, understanding microcontroller operations, and
interpreting instruction flow in debugging tools.

5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
How does pipelining fit into basic design? How are interrupts handled in this model?
Further answers lie in simulation models and advanced CPU architecture texts.

Unit 5: Microprogrammed Control

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

Microprogrammed control is a method to implement a control unit using a set of
microinstructions stored in memory. It's important because it allows for easier changes and
debugging in complex instruction set computers (CISC).

2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?

Core concepts include control memory, microinstructions, microprograms, and sequencing
logic. These elements work together to generate control signals for instruction execution.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

The main debate is between microprogrammed control (flexible, slower) vs. hardwired
control (faster, rigid). Each has its use depending on design priorities like speed or
flexibility.
4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?
Useful in designing instruction sets, building firmware for processors, and understanding
low-level instruction decoding.

5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
What are optimal conditions to choose microprogrammed over hardwired? Research
papers and practical examples from processor architecture guides help answer this.

Unit 6: Central Processing Unit (CPU)

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

The CPU is the brain of the computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing
calculations. Understanding its organization helps in system design and performance
optimization.

2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?

Includes register organization, instruction formats, stack operations, interrupts, and CPU
types (RISC vs CISC). All these affect how efficiently a CPU can execute programs.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

RISC emphasizes simplicity and speed, while CISC focuses on powerful instructions and
code compactness. Arguments focus on trade-offs in complexity, power consumption, and
instruction throughput.

4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?

Used in evaluating processor options, embedded design, instruction-level optimization, and
compiler development.

5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
How are interrupt priorities managed? How does modern CPU cache interact with
instruction flow? Technical datasheets and processor manuals provide answers.

Unit 7: Pipeline and Vector Processing

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

This topic deals with executing multiple instructions in overlapping stages (pipelining) and
parallel computation (vector processing). It's key to improving CPU throughput and
performance.
2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?
Concepts include pipeline stages, hazards (data, structural, control), speedup metrics,
Flynn’s classification. These define the structure and efficiency of instruction execution in
modern CPUs.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

Arguments exist on how deep a pipeline should be, how hazards should be resolved, and
how much vectorization benefits typical workloads.

4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?

Crucial for optimizing performance in software, especially for games, simulations, or data-
intensive apps. Also applicable in compiler optimization.

5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
What limits pipeline depth? How do modern CPUs handle dependencies? Research papers
and processor architecture deep dives are helpful.

Unit 8: Input – Output Organization

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

This topic covers how computers interact with external devices through I/O interfaces and
techniques like interrupts and DMA. It's essential for overall system functionality and
responsiveness.

2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?

Peripheral devices, I/O mapped vs memory mapped, DMA, synchronous/asynchronous
communication—all determine how data is moved between CPU and peripherals.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

Debates include the complexity vs. efficiency of DMA, interrupt overheads, and pros/cons of
memory-mapped vs. isolated I/O.

4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?

Important in embedded systems, device driver development, operating system kernel
design, and building responsive systems.

5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
How are I/O bottlenecks identified? What are trade-offs in DMA controller design? Answers
in OS books, datasheets, and performance profiling tools.
Unit 9: Memory Organization

1) What's the main idea and why is it important?

Memory organization determines how data is stored, accessed, and managed in computer
systems. It is vital for speed, cost, and system reliability.

2) What are the key concepts and how do they relate?

Covers memory hierarchy, cache mapping techniques, virtual memory, segmentation,
paging, and timing metrics. These all ensure efficient data access and memory utilization.

3) What are the different perspectives or arguments on this topic?

Trade-offs between speed (SRAM) and size (DRAM), strategies for cache replacement, and
debates around paging vs segmentation.

4) How can I apply this knowledge to real-world situations?

Used in OS development, designing caching strategies, optimizing program memory usage,
and improving system performance.

5) What questions do I still have and how can I find the answers?
How do modern CPUs implement L1, L2, L3 caching? How are TLB misses resolved? Dive
into processor documentation, OS architecture, and performance tuning resources.