Computer Organization and Architecture Syllabus
Basics of Computer Systems
1. Introduction to Computer Systems
o Definition, characteristics, and evolution of computer systems
o Types of computers and applications
2. Computer Organization and Architecture
o Difference between organization & architecture
o Structure and operational overview
3. Structure and Function of a Computer System
o Functional units: Input, Output, Memory, CPU
o Computer performance metrics
Computer Organization
4. IAS Computer Architecture
o Components of IAS machine
o Von Neumann model
5. Basic Computer Functions
o Fetch, Decode, Execute, Store
o Program execution flow
6. Interconnection Structures
o Point-to-point vs Bus interconnections
o System bus structure (data, address, control)
7. Bus Interconnection
o Bus types and hierarchy
o Timing and arbitration
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
8. ALU and Basic Operations
o Arithmetic and logical operations
o Components of ALU
9. Integer Multiplication – Booth’s Algorithm
o Algorithm explanation
o Step-by-step multiplication with examples
10. Floating Point Representation
IEEE 754 standard
Normalization, rounding, special cases
Instruction Set Architecture
11. Machine Instruction Characteristics
Operation types, operand types, instruction sets
12. Addressing Modes
Immediate, direct, indirect, indexed, relative
Practical use of each mode
13. Instruction Formats
Fixed vs variable formats
Instruction length and allocation of bits
Processor Organization
14. Processor Organization Overview
Basic CPU structure
Data flow and control flow
15. Register Organization
User-visible registers
Control and status registers, general-purpose registers
16. Instruction Cycle
Fetch-decode-execute cycle
Interrupt cycle and types
Control Unit Design
17. Microoperations and Processor Control
Register transfer language
Functional control requirements
18. Control Signals and Internal Processor Organization
Types of control signals
Datapath and control path design
19. Hardwired Control Unit
Design methodology
Speed and limitations
20. Microprogrammed Control Unit
Control memory and control address register
Microinstruction structure
21. Microinstruction Sequencing
Sequencing techniques, address generation
Horizontal vs vertical microinstructions
22. Microinstruction Execution and Encoding
Taxonomy and encoding techniques
Optimization and compact design
Input/Output Systems
23. External Devices and I/O Modules
Device types, I/O interface basics
Communication methods
24. Direct Memory Access (DMA)
DMA controller and operation
DMA vs Interrupt-driven I/O
25. I/O Channels and Processors
I/O channels overview
Differences between I/O processor and CPU
26. PCI Bus – Physical and Logical Architecture
PCI configuration
Bus operations and signal lines
Memory Systems
27. Semiconductor Memory Overview
Memory hierarchy and parameters
RAM vs ROM, DRAM vs SRAM
28. Memory Technologies
DDR, Flash, NVMe, emerging solid-state tech
Packaging and module organization
29. Cache Memory Design
Cache mapping techniques
Replacement and write policies
30. External Memory – Solid State Drives (SSD)
SSD structure, interface
Comparison with HDD and performance
