Computers: From Logic to Architecture

A first course in computer architecture and the interaction of hardware and software. This book is aimed at students with some experience of programming in a high-level language. It covers computer architecture topics from technology through to systems software and communications, and is an introduction to computer systems engineering with reference to microprocessors and their applications. Starting at the lowest level of logic, the chapters progress from this basis and build up the hardware and software architecture of the computer.

Table of Contents:
Approaches to computer architecture; translation and interpretation; languages and abstract machines; sequentiality, concurrency and distribution; introduction to digital logic: combinatorial and sequential logic, basic logic gates, example - a 1-bit ladder, Boolean algebra, NAND/NOR logic, positive and negative logic, logic implementation, logic families; combinatorial logic design; problem specification, design example - a parity generator, a 7-segment decimal decoder, minimization of Boolean functions, medium scale intergrated functions, programmable logic arrays, read-only memories; sequential logic design; synchronous and asynchronous sequential circuits, state diagrams and state variables, memory elements, implementing sequential logic with D-type flip-flops, implementing sequential logic circuits with read-only memories, counter design, design of a register bank; the structure of a computer - the operation, the bus, the central processing unit, the arithmatic and logic unit, examples of processors - the Intel 8085 and the Motorola 68000, input and output; memory systems - architectural considerations and memory; input-output - interfaces; control and microprogramming: the fetch cycle, the execute cycle, the control unit, horizontal and vertical microprogramming; design of a small computer system: connecting the components together, a minimal Intel 8085 system, a Motorola 68000- based microcomputer; data representation and manipulation - number systems, data representation, differing representations; instruction sets and addressing modes; instruction sets, the programmer's models, instruction types, operands, addressing modes; introduction to system software: assembly language and assemblers, macros, link editors, loading, high-level languages, documentation and debugging, operating systems; data communications; addressing, communication structure, computer networks, distributed computing; new directions in architecture - architectural considerations and processor design, RISC architecture, CISC's versus RISC's; the transputer.