The document discusses the concept of computer architecture, including its evolution and levels of abstraction. It describes computer architecture as the programmer's view of a computer's structure, while computer organization is the implementer's view of the actual hardware. The document also outlines a hierarchical framework for describing computer architectures, from the operating system level down to circuit elements. Formal descriptions of computer architectures can be provided using architecture description languages like VHDL or through design space trees.

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2. The Concept of Computer Architecture
• Evolution and interpretation
• levels of abstraction
• hierarchical framework
• Extensions
• Description of computer architectures
CH02
TECH
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3. Evolution of the concept of
computer architecture
• Computer architecture (programmer’s view)
the structure of a computer that a machine language
programmer must understand to write a correct (timing
independent) program for the machine
• Computer organization (implementer’s view)
actual hardware structure and realization
• hierarchical, multilevel description
electronic circuit, logic design, programming, processor-memory-
switch
• functional specification and hardware implementation
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4. Recent interpretation of the concept
• Computer architecture
Underlying computational model
 von Neumann, dataflow, …
Level of consideration
 micromachine, processor, computer system
Scope of interest
 functional specification, implementation
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5. The concept of computer architecture
• as a Multilevel hierarchical framework
See fig. 2.10
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6. Hierarchical description of digital systems
• 1. operating system
• 2. Computer system
• 3. Processor
• 4. functional block
• 5. circuit
• 6. circuit elements
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7. Description of computer architectures
• informal description
• Formal description
description by ADLs (VHDL)
description by a design space using DS-trees
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8. A brief overview of general purpose ADLs
• VHDL
Very high speed integrated circuits Hardware
Definition Language
formal description used by simulation tools
circuit, logic, functional, algorithmic, architectural
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9. The design space and its representation
Using DS-trees
• A “consists of” B and C
• A “can be performed by”
B or C
• A “can be executively
performed by” B or C
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