12 units
This course is primarily an in-depth introduction to system-level analysis and optimization of multiprocessor systems-on-chip (MP SoCs). This is an important topic today when complex systems-on-chip (SoCs) composed of tens or hundreds of IP cores are becoming popular. At the same time, the applications that need to run on such multiprocessor platforms have become increasingly complex and have tight power and performance constraints. Consequently, formal system-level design methodologies are in great demand for future multiprocessor design. From a practical standpoint, the course explores the potential of reconfigurable computing and FPGA prototyping to designing complex applications (e.g. multimedia, games, video surveillance, etc.) for embedded multiprocessor platforms.
While the emphasis is on both computation and communication aspects involved in the design of embedded applications, parts of the course will also cover modern topics related to sensor networks, ambient intelligence, nanotechnologies. Our main goal is to illustrate the effectiveness of system-level approaches to designing a variety of practical systems. Topics to be covered include: models of concurrency, specification and modeling of embedded applications, communication-based design, networks on-chip (NoCs), low-power and reliable design, stochastic communication, sensor networks.
The course requirements consist of a few homework assignments, a semester-long project, and in-class presentations based on relevant papers and students work on the project. Some assignments involve FPGA prototyping. By structure and contents, this class targets primarily the computer engineering students but it provides also a valuable basis for interdisciplinary research to students in computer science and related disciplines.
3 hrs. lec., 2 hr. rec.
Prerequisites: Senior or graduate standing.
Last updated on March 21, 2007
Computer Hardware
Computer Hardware Engineering
Coverage
S08, S07, S06, S05, S04, S03, S02
Please note that the course history information is incomplete and/or may reflect different courses offered under the same course number.