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01 CSA Assignment Questions

This document outlines an assignment on computer systems architecture. It will be completed in groups of three students, who will choose one of three questions to answer. Each question has multiple parts that must be divided among the group members. The questions cover topics like microprocessor design trends, differences in microprocessors for different systems, types of computer buses, and mobile computing technologies. The document provides assessment criteria and formatting guidelines for the final report.

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Sagaaboyz Mg R
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© © All Rights Reserved
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321 views

01 CSA Assignment Questions

This document outlines an assignment on computer systems architecture. It will be completed in groups of three students, who will choose one of three questions to answer. Each question has multiple parts that must be divided among the group members. The questions cover topics like microprocessor design trends, differences in microprocessors for different systems, types of computer buses, and mobile computing technologies. The document provides assessment criteria and formatting guidelines for the final report.

Uploaded by

Sagaaboyz Mg R
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Computer Systems Architecture

Page 1 of 5

COMPUTER SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE (CSA)


Assignment Cover Page
Total Marks 50%

Introduction:
Computer system architecture is focused on describing the structure and behavior of the
different functional units of general computer. In this module we study in detail how those
functional units interact with each other to provide the processing service to the user. We
learn the concepts of hardware components that are interconnected to form a computer
system and the various hardware operations that are carried by the hardware parts at each
level of processing.
Computer architecture is a vibrant and ever changing field; this assignment will attempt to
convey that to students.

Objectives:
The primary objective of this group assignment is to provide an understanding of the
principles underlying the structure of computer hardware by illustrating and developing an
understanding of the various engineering, scientific and economic tradeoffs necessary in the
design and implementation of computer systems (LO01). Additionally, this assignment
emphasizes the ability to work within a team and to respond to the challenging
requirements through cooperative activity (LO02).

Instructions:
1. The assignment consists of THREE (3) questions.
2. Working in groups of THREE (3), you will select only ONE (1) of these questions.
3. Each question is in multiple parts and must be divided equally among the team
members.
4. No marks will be awarded for the entire assignment if any part of it is found to be
copied directly from printed materials or from another student.
5. All submissions should be made on or before the due date.
6. Any late submissions after the deadline will not be entertained.
7. Zero (0) mark will be awarded for late submission, unless extenuating circumstances
are upheld.

Level 1
2013

Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology

Computer Systems Architecture

Page 2 of 5

Questions:
In groups of THREE (3), select ONE (1) question from the list below.

Question 1: General Architecture


The microprocessor is the heart of any normal computer, whether it is a desktop machine, a
server or a laptop. A microprocessor - also known as a CPU or central processing unit - is a
complete computation engine that is fabricated on a single chip. Each member of your
group will select and investigate one of the following:
A. Discuss the major trends affecting microprocessor performance and design in recent
years.
B. What are the major differences between microprocessor design goals for desktop,
server, and embedded systems?
C. The frequency of the microprocessor is often used to compare the performances of
different personal computers. For example, An Intel Core i3 2.3 GHz PC is supposed to
be faster than an Athlon 2.0 GHz one. This method however does not always hold,
especially among computers from different manufacturers. Instead, a method called
benchmarking is widely used. You are to research the various types and uses of
benchmarking programs available.
D. As a group, you will use the knowledge acquired from your lectures and additional
readings, to select a computer in the two scenarios below. List any assumptions you
made when justifying your selection e.g. computer use.
i)
A has a 3GHz processor and 512 KB cache, whereas B has a 2GHz processor
with a 3 MB cache. Both have the same size and kind of RAM clocked with
1333 MHz. Which of the two computers would you prefer and why?
ii)
You have the choice of buying two different computers X and Y. X has an ALU
that is twice as fast as normal while Y has two ALUs at the normal speed. Which
of the two computers would you prefer and why? If any part of your answer
depend on aspects of the software being run (e.g., Instruction level parallelism),
explain how.

Level 1
2013

Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology

Computer Systems Architecture

Page 3 of 5

Question 2: Buses
If youve ever opened up a computer and looked inside or read the specifications for a
system, youve probably heard terms like PCIe, SATA, SCSI, EISA, or even NuBus
mentioned when discussing the computers bus. Your group will select a computer system
(e.g. x86, AMD K*, Mac etc) and investigate the major types of buses found in the system.
Each member of your team will select and investigate one of the following
A. bus characteristics:
i)
bus width, bus speed,
ii) the different types of buses and bus lines
iii) advantages/disadvantages of a bus to a network.
B. bus arbitration:
i)
purpose of arbitration.
ii) how does the arbitration protocol work
iii) multiplexing
C. bus topology:
i)
point-to-point
ii) multipoint
D. As a group, you will summarize the results of your research by describing the principle
and the benefits of a bus hierarchy formed by these bus types. Your summary will
include:
i)
why a bus hierarchy is required
ii)
how a bus hierarchy works
iii)
additional hardware circuitry required

Level 1
2013

Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology

Computer Systems Architecture

Page 4 of 5

Question 3: Mobile Computers


Mobile computing has changed the whole environment of human life. Our professional as
well as personal lives, today, are all about increased mobility and flexibility. The term
mobile computing is a general term related to all computing activities that allow the user of
mobile computers to move freely and eliminate the need to stay fixed to a particular
location. Many devices are includes in this definition, for example, tablets, smart phones,
PDAs, and wearable computers.
Use the information acquired from your lectures and additional readings, to explain the
following points and link them to the computer architecture you have studied in the class.
A. As a group, explain the principle of mobile computing including details on the
technologies behind, classifications, importance, advantages, and disadvantages. OK
B. Select one specific mobile computer (ex, Samsung Tab 2 10.1, iPhone 5, etc) and, each
team member will investigate Two (2) of the following:
i)
CPU specification, features and general architecture
ii)
Instruction Set and Registers
iii)
Memory architecture/model
iv)
Implementation issues (pipeline, coprocessors, form factor.. etc)
v)
Bus architecture and I/O specifications.
vi)
Similarities and differences between architecture of this mobile computer and
the general computer architecture that you study in the class.
C. As a group, summarize the results of your research by describing the following:
i)
Future of mobile computing
ii)
Limitations of mobile computing
iii)
General conclusion

Level 1
2013

Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology

Computer Systems Architecture

Page 5 of 5

Assessment Criteria (Marks Breakdown)


Group Work
Documentation
Summary
References
Individual
Presentation
Research
Analysis
Reflection

: (30%)
: 10 marks
: 15 marks
: 5 marks
: (70%)
: 10 marks
: 20 marks
: 20 marks
: 20 marks

Guidelines for the Report:


Your completed documentation should include the following:
1. Table of Contents
2. Gantt Chart
3. Work Breakdown Structure (breakdown of tasks among the members)
4. Abstract
5. Introduction
6. Chapters/sections
7. Conclusion.
8. Frequently Ask Question (FAQ). X
9. Minutes of mandatory meetings X
10. References.

Submission requirements
1. A CD containing an electronic version of the document.
2. Your report must be typed using Microsoft Word with Times New Roman font.
Expected length is 2,000 to 3,000 words. You need use to include a word count at the
end of the report (excluding title, source code of program & contents pages) Report
should be in 1.5 spaces.
3. The report has to be well presented and should be typed. Submission of reports that are
unprofessional in its outlook (dirty, disorganized, inconsistent look, varying colored
paper and size) will not fare well when marks are allocated.

1 inch

1 inch

The Typed Text

1 inch

Level 1
2013

Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology

1 inch

1 inch

5. All information, figures and diagrams obtained from external


sources must be referenced using the Harvard referencing
system accordingly.

1 inch

1 inch

4. Ensure that the report is printed on standard A4 (210 X 297


mm) sized paper. Paper weight of 80 grams and above is
highly recommended. The report should have a one (1)
margin all around the page as illustrated below:

1 inch

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