18-740: Modern Computer Architecture and Design

Course Description

Computer architecture deals with the art and science of designing and integrating hardware subsystems, spanning the hardware/software interface, to create a computer system that achieves functional correctness and meets design objectives in performance, power, energy, and cost. This course provides in-depth coverage of modern computer systems, with a special focus on Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) for mass-market mobile and edge computing devices, including smartphones, tablets, and diverse smart home/office devices. Topics span the design and evaluation of three major subsystems: (1) the processing subsystem -- superscalar out-of-order cores, multicore processors, asymmetric and heterogeneous cores, and AI/DL accelerators; (2) the memory subsystem -- main memory and DRAM, multicore cache hierarchies, and co-processor shared memory management; and (3) the interconnect subsystem -- Network on Chip (NoC), multi-die packages, and chiplets. Each subsystem is studied from the perspective of several first-class design goals: performance, power consumption, and energy efficiency. The course places strong emphasis on professional design tools (architecture/microarchitecture simulators, RTL design and synthesis, area/power/thermal modeling) and on hands-on experimentation with physical hardware, with the goal of preparing students to be highly competent processor designers and computer architects in industry.

Recommended pre/co-requisites: 15-513/18-613; 18-447 (or a course based on Computer Organization and Design by Patterson & Hennessy). Verilog and gem5 experience would be very helpful.

For course details, e.g., office hours and grading, see the Course Info page. Lab descriptions are on the Labs page.

Schedule