Short description:

This book explains, in easily understandable language, the key architectural principles and implementation techniques used to design and build modern computer systems ? from embedded controllers to supercomputers, and everything in between. It will give undergraduate and master?s level students studying computer science, computer engineering, an

Long description:

Not only does almost everyone in the civilized world use a personal computer, smartphone, and/or tablet on a daily basis to communicate with others and access information, but virtually every other modern appliance, vehicle, or other device has one or more computers embedded inside it. One cannot purchase a current-model automobile, for example, without several computers on board to do everything from monitoring exhaust emissions, to operating the anti-lock brakes, to telling the transmission when to shift, and so on. Appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, etc. are almost all digitally controlled. Gaming consoles like Xbox, PlayStation, and Wii are powerful computer systems with enhanced capabilities for user interaction. Computers are everywhere, even when we don?t see them as such, and it is more important than ever for students who will soon enter the workforce to understand how they work.

This book is completely updated and revised for a one-semester upper level undergraduate course in Computer Architecture, and suitable for use in an undergraduate CS, EE, or CE curriculum at the junior or senior level. Students should have had a course(s) covering introductory topics in digital logic and computer organization. While this is not a text for a programming course, the reader should be familiar with computer programming concepts in at least one language such as C, C++, or Java. Previous courses in operating systems, assembly language, and/or systems programming would be helpful, but are not essential.

"In this book, topics are selected and treated in a well-balanced manner by taking into account both breadth and depth. Sufficient explanation and discussions are devoted to essential concepts and components of computer systems while a comprehensive introduction about the general knowledge related with computer architecture is provided. Each chapter is well structured with an introduction, major sections, and end-of-chapter thought-provoking review questions. It is easy for an instructor to cover most of the topics in a one-semester course, or customize the content coverage for quarter-based courses. Conversational text indicated with simple, clear, and informative figures makes reading the book and learning the concepts enjoyable."
? Dalei Wu, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, USA

Table of Contents:

Introduction to Computer Architecture. Computer Memory Systems. Basics of the Central Processing Unit. Enhancing CPU Performance. Exceptions, Interrupts, and Input/Output Systems. Parallel and High-Level Performance Systems. Special-Purpose and Future Architectures.