Computer Engineering

Module overview

This module looks at the how computer systems are designed and constructed, focussing on microcontrollers but also looking at how they fit into the context of other types of computer (e.g. DSP and desktop processor). It considers how data is processed and manipulated, communication via buses. It also looks at operating systems (including real-time systems), performance and benchmarking, and factors that affect the power consumption of systems. We also look at multicore and GPU processing, and development toolchains (how to get from C to optimised machine code).

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Discuss the fundamental differences between types of embedded and desktop computer systems
Define and describe the component parts of computer systems
Describe the importance of the different design decisions made in processor and system design

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Measure the performance of simple systems in domain specific environments
Build a simple embedded system and write software for it to demonstrate different input/output techniques
Implement an operating system on an embedded device

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Choose appropriate topologies and interfaces based on application requirements and system properties
Relate an instruction set to a data-path design
Process high-level code into machine code, describe the optimisation process

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

There will be 36 hours of lectures, a 3-hour lab, and a coursework.

Study time
Type	Hours
Revision	10
Practical	3
Wider reading or practice	44
Completion of assessment task	25
Lecture	36
Follow-up work	16
Preparation for scheduled sessions	16
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Software requirements. Open source and commercial compilers and tool chains for the processors targeted in the laboratories

Laboratory space and equipment required. The ECS Digital Electronics laboratory with power supplies, function and signal generators and oscilloscopes and logic analysers. Processor boards to support the laboratories attached to this module. These include AVR/Atmel processor boards.

Textbooks

W. Stallings (2012). Computer Organization and Architecture. Prentice Hall.

Patterson D. A. and Hennessy J. L (2011). Computer Organization and Design,The Hardware/Software Interface. Morgan Kaufmann.

Patterson D. A. and Hennessy J. L (2008). Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface. Morgan Kaufmann.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Coursework	15%
Laboratory Exercises	5%
Exam	80%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Exam	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Exam	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External