Description

Students of the degree in Engineering in Telecommunication Technologies interact with computers both as specialized users and as designers and developers of complex systems, where computers play a central role in their design and even as systems’ components.

Hence, the motivation for a course in computer architectures is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of computer operations. For this, computers are studied at the conventional machine level, which abstracts away implementation details that will be discussed in electronics/microelectronics courses and serves as the foundation for the symbolic machine level, at which computers are programmed using high-level languages.

Besides, this course provides an introduction to the operating machine level by discussing basic operating systems concept, and shows an example application of the symbolic machine level through the introduction of the Database Management Systems.
This is an English Friendly course: International students may request from the teachers: a) materials and bibliographic references in English, b) tutoring sessions in English, c) exams and assessments in English.

Requirements

There is no requirements for this subject.

Instructors

• Anido Rifón, Luis Eulogio
• Llamas Nistal, Martín
• Rivas Costa, Carlos
• Santos Gago, Juan Manuel

Contents

• Topic 1: Preliminaries
  • Information representation in computers
  • von Neumann model
  • Structural, procedural and functional models
• Topic 2: Von Neumann Model
  • Components of the von Neumann machine
  • Simple machine
  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
  • Memory
  • Registers
  • Buses
• Topic 3: Symbolic Representation and Processing
  • Representation of basic data elements: integer, character, floating point
  • Conventions for data storage
  • Processing operations
  • Introduction to symbolic processing
  • Assembler language
• Topic 4: Instructions and Addressing
  • Instructions and addressing modes
  • Software considerations
  • Registers at the conventional machine level
  • Register Transfer Language (RT level)
  • Instruction formats
  • Addressing modes
  • Stacks and subprograms
  • RISC and CISC computers
• Topic 5: RISC Computer
  • Instruction sets and formats
  • Addressing modes
  • Assembler
  • Example programs
• Topic 6: CISC Computer
  • Instruction sets and formats
  • Addressing modes
  • Assembler
  • Example programs
• Topic 7: Device Management
  • Device types
  • Management of variety
  • Models
  • Secondary memories
  • Interrupts
  • Service routines
  • DMA: justification
• Topic 8: Parallelism and Parallel Architectures
  • Pipelining
  • Parallelism and memory access
  • Associative memory
  • Parallel architectures
  • Vector processors
  • Multiprocessors
• Topic 9: Operating Systems
  • The operating machine
  • Introduction to operating systems
  • Definition of an operating system
• Topic 10: Databases
  • Introduction to database systems
  • Database types

Learning Outcomes

• B3 (CG3) – Knowledge of basic subjects and technologies that enables students to learn new methods and technologies, providing versatility to face and adapt to new situations.
• B4 (CG4) – Ability to solve problems with initiative, make creative decisions, and communicate and transmit knowledge and skills, understanding the ethical and professional responsibility of the Technical Telecommunication Engineer.
• C2 (CE2/FB2) – Basic knowledge of the use and programming of computers, operating systems, databases, and engineering application software.
• D2 (CT2) – Understanding engineering within a framework of sustainable development.
• D3 (CT3) – Awareness of the need for lifelong learning and continuous quality improvement, showing a flexible, open and ethical attitude toward different opinions and situations, particularly regarding non-discrimination based on sex, race or religion, and respect for fundamental rights and accessibility.

Recommended Readings and Tools

• Books:
  • "Computer Organization and Design" by David Patterson and John Hennessy.
  • "Modern Processor Design" by John Paul Shen and Mikko Lipasti.
• Tools:
  • Architecture simulators like MARIE or MIPS.
  • Assemblers such as MASM or NASM.
  • Memory emulators for advanced practices.

Planned Activities

• Laboratory practical – The course includes programming assignments performed using an ARM simulator.
  Competences developed: CG3, CG4, CT2, CT3, CE2.
• Introductory activities – Presentation of course contents, methodology, tutoring hours, evaluation methods, laboratory work, and other aspects related to the subject.
• Problem solving – Programming, information representation, and other problems and exercises will be solved during lecture time. Some exercises will be prepared by students in advance at home, and students will actively participate in solving additional problems.
  Competences developed: CG3, CT2, CE2.
• Lecturing – Theoretical concepts and their practical applications will be introduced during the classes. Students will be encouraged to participate by alternating lectures with problem and exercise solving sessions.
  Competences developed: CG3, CT3, CE2.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

Evaluation Activities

• Self-assessment – Exam questions will be made available to students so that they can perform self-assessment.
  Weight: 0%.
  Training and learning results: B3, B4, C2.
• Laboratory practice (EP1) – Continuous assessment laboratory exam consisting of practical exercises covering part P1 of the laboratory syllabus.
  Weight: 16%.
  Training and learning results: B3, B4, C2, D2, D3.
• Laboratory practice (EP2) – Continuous assessment laboratory exam consisting of practical exercises covering part P2 of the laboratory syllabus.
  Weight: 24%.
  Training and learning results: B3, B4, C2, D2, D3.
• Problem and/or exercise solving (ET1) – Continuous assessment classroom exam including questions and/or exercises covering part T1 of the classroom syllabus.
  Weight: 24%.
  Training and learning results: B3, B4, C2, D2, D3.
• Problem and/or exercise solving (ET2) – Continuous assessment classroom exam including questions and/or exercises covering part T2 of the classroom syllabus.
  Weight: 36%.
  Training and learning results: B3, B4, C2, D2, D3.

Other Comments on the Evaluation

General Assessment Structure

The subject is divided into two components: Theory and Laboratory.

The final grade (FG) is calculated as the weighted average of the theory grade (TG) and the laboratory grade (LG):

FG = 0.6 × TG + 0.4 × LG

However, if TG or LG is lower than 3.5 and the weighted average is greater than 4.0, the final grade will be 4.0 or the weighted average (whichever is lower).

To pass the course, FG must be ≥ 5.0.

Both parts can be evaluated through:

• Continuous Assessment (CA), or
• Global Assessment (GA) through a final exam (FE).

The final exam includes both theory and laboratory components and takes place on the officially scheduled exam date.

Continuous assessment grades are valid only for the current academic year.

Theory Assessment

The theory syllabus is divided into two parts:

• T1 – approximately half of the syllabus
• T2 – the complete syllabus

Ordinary Call – Continuous Assessment

Continuous assessment includes two exams:

• ET1 covering T1
• ET2 covering T2

The theory grade is calculated as:

TG = 0.4 × T1 + 0.6 × T2

Short exercises carried out during lectures may add up to one additional point to each part’s grade or provide extra time during exams.

Ordinary Call – Global Assessment

Students who do not participate in continuous assessment must take the Final Classroom Exam (FCE).

This exam contains two exercises corresponding to T1 and T2, and the theory grade is calculated with the same formula:

TG = 0.4 × T1 + 0.6 × T2

Extraordinary Call

The extraordinary exam has the same structure as the ordinary final exam.

Students may:

• retake both parts (ET1 and ET2),
• retake only one part, or
• keep the previously obtained grades.

Taking any part replaces the previous grade for that part.

End-of-Studies Call

This call consists of an exam similar to the final exam of the ordinary call.

Laboratory Assessment

Laboratory work is performed using ARM/Thumb assembler and is divided into:

• P1 – approximately half of the syllabus
• P2 – the complete syllabus

Ordinary Call – Continuous Assessment

Continuous assessment consists of two laboratory exams:

• EP1 covering P1
• EP2 covering P2

Additional short exercises during lab sessions may contribute up to one extra point to the lab grade or provide extra time during exams.

Ordinary Call – Global Assessment

Students opting for global assessment must take the Final Laboratory Exam (FLE) covering the entire ARM/Thumb syllabus.

The laboratory grade corresponds to the mark obtained in this exam.

Extraordinary Call

Students who do not pass the laboratory component may take the extraordinary laboratory exam, similar to the FLE.

Continuous assessment students retain the additional points obtained from short exercises.

End-of-Studies Call

The laboratory evaluation consists of an exam similar to the FLE.

General Remarks

• All tests are graded on a 0–10 scale.
• Due to additional points from short exercises, scores may temporarily exceed 10, but the final grade recorded will be 10 (although the higher score may be considered for honours distinctions).
• If students do not participate in the extraordinary assessment, they retain the grade obtained in the ordinary call.

Tutoring

Tutoring sessions are suspended two school days before official exams.

Continuous Assessment Eligibility

Students may choose continuous assessment independently for theory and laboratory parts.

To participate in CA:

• Students must take the first exam of that part (ET1 for theory or EP1 for lab).

Once enrolled in CA for a part, students cannot switch to global assessment for that part.

Official Records

If a student takes any exam in CA or GA, the final grade will be calculated according to the rules described in this guide.

Exam Registration

Students must register in advance using the designated software tool to take any exam (ET1, ET2, FE, EP1, EP2, FLE).
Registration opens at least 5 days before the exam.

Communication

Communication between students and lecturers will follow the official university channels.
Students are expected to check their institutional email (Moovi account) daily.

Ethical Code

Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are considered serious offences.

Examples include:

• copying from another student,
• using unauthorized materials,
• using electronic devices during exams.

If detected:

• the exam score will be 0,
• the final grade may be Fail,
• and the incident will be reported to academic authorities for disciplinary action.