ECE 2195: Emergent Technologies in Computer Architecture (33571)

Course Information - Spring 2008

Instructor

Professor Allen Cheng
accheng AT ece DOT pitt DOT edu
333 Benedum Hall

Course Description & Objectives

In this 3-credit graduate-level course, we will explore the principles of architecting next-generation nanoscale computing systems (or simply "Nanocomputing") as we are entering the age of nanoelectronic regime. As conventional CMOS-based technology scaling is rapidly approaching a "brick wall," novel silicon and non-silicon, hardware and software-based nanoelectronic technologies are being developed to explicitly extend Moore's law in face of physical design limit. Topics of interest include, but not limited to:

• Computational paradigms and programming models for nanoscale architectures
  
• Holistic architectures for nanoelectronic digital and/or mixed-signal circuits and systems
  
• Reliable and fault-tolerant nanoelectronic system level architecture
  
• Implementing microarchitecture with various nanoarchitecture building blocks
  
• Modeling and simulation of nanoelectronic devices and system architectures
  

The goals of this course are to help increase the awareness and understanding of both state-of-the-art and futuristic nanoelectronic computing research and to stimulate the interest and develop the basis of being a world-class researcher and a professional engineer in this exciting confluence of information technology and nanotechnology where the next-generation computing is heading.

Prerequisite

All-levels of graduate and advanced undergraduate (juniors and seniors) students are welcome.

Class Time & Location

Time: Wednesdays 6PM - 8:30PM
Location: 330 Benedum Hall

Requirements

This course is developed to train you to become a world-class researcher and professional. The goal is to help you develop critical and independent thinking required for a successful career. Therefore, besides intensive literature reading, you will have the opportunity to improve your skills in presentations and literature critiques. You will have the opportunity to participate in scholarly discussion in a conference-like setting. To increase your hands-on experience, you will also have the opportunity to work on a term project that you will be proud of at your job interview. There is one open-book, open-note, open-ended exam towards the end of the semester to help you gauge your level of understanding.