ECE3073 · Computer systems

Overview

This unit is an introduction to computer systems and computer architecture using a modern microprocessor as an example. Practical considerations involved in interconnecting logic elements are explored, along with software and hardware techniques for interfacing computers to peripheral devices. Key functionalities of general-purpose and real-time operating systems including concurrency, inter-process communications and scheduling are discussed and compared. Multithreading and multiprocessing techniques are introduced.

Areas of study: E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Specialisation: Electrical and computer systems engineering E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Specialisation: Robotics and mechatronics engineering

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 60% Final assessment: 40% This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Analyse different components in a given computer architecture and interpret the functions and operation of hardware and software employed in modern computer systems and devices.
2. Construct computer systems for specific real-world contexts and discuss the inherent constraints and performance of the proposed designs.
3. Predict the behaviour of key operating system functions such as task prioritisation, context switching and resource arbitration and quantify OS performance in both real-time and general-purpose environments.
4. Manage the implementation of a software and hardware co-design project in line with industry practices and standards, including version control and communication around requirements and outcomes with stakeholders.
5. Analyse a range of parallelism and concurrency schemes such as multitasking, multithreading and multiprocessing, and utilise these schemes to efficiently assign and complete heterogeneous workloads.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.