EE 599-004/699-001 Software Tools for Custom Hardware

Preliminary ABET-style Syllabus

EE 599 - Computer Systems: 3 Credits

EE 699 - Computer Systems: 3 Credits

Computer systems are neither hardware nor software, but the result synthesized by integrating the two. This course centers on the system software that is needed to make new, often custom and somewhat special-purpose, hardware usable as (part of) a computing system. Although most of the material is in the general categories of compilers and operating systems, there is very little overlap with the material presented in the computer science classes here at UK. This course will emphasize three projects: construction of a complete compiler toolchain for a simple processor, compilation of hardware descriptions into optimized circuitry, and operating system code for hosting a attached processor. C programming will be required.

Grading will be based on the three projects, presentations, an in-class exam, and a comprehensive final. Each student will be required to submit an "implementor's notes" document with each project. Each graduate student also will be required to lead one in-class discussion of a relevant research issue, the topic of which will be assigned by the instructor. The grade for the course will be determined using weightings specified with each assignment, which will weight projects more heavily than exams. However, you cannot get more than 1 letter grade higher than the lower of your exam average and project/presentation average.

The primary difference between graduate and undergraduate versions of this course is scope of the assignments and the additional requirement to lead a research discussion.

TEXTBOOK:

None required - Course notes

COORDINATOR:

Dr. Henry G. Dietz, Professor

GOALS:

The goal of this course is to enable students to solve computer system design problems as true system problems, viewing hardware and software in a fully integrated way. Because it is assumed that students have significant background in computer organization and/or architecture, the focus is on construction of the necessary system software.

PREREQUISITE:

For EE599: Undergraduate standing, fluency in C, and EE380

For EE699: Graduate standing, fluency in C, and EE380 or other architecture background

TOPICS:

1. Introduction (1 week)
   • Why and what computer architects and hardware designers need to know about systems software
   • The two worlds: static vs. dynamic properties of computing systems
   • C details and other important trivia...
2. Static mechanisms (8 weeks)
   • Introduction to compilation systems (compilers, assemblers, linkers, loaders, construction tools)
   • A simple compilation system targeting a simple custom computer
   • Compiling into hardware (gates, FPGAs, etc.)
   • An introduction to advanced code generation and optimization methods
3. Dynamic mechanisms (3 weeks)
   • What is the dynamic environment? (operating system, libraries/runtimes, hardware)
   • What does an OS do -- and when don't you need one
   • Access control methods
   • Linux device drivers and kernel modules
   • Advanced concepts: OS bypass, hosted/attached processors
4. Selected advanced topics... papers and discussions (2 weeks)

OUTCOMES:

1. Understand the concepts of static vs. dynamic mechanisms and properties within a computing system.
2. Understand how languages, instruction sets, and other relevant properties of a computer system are specified: grammars, instruction set architectures, timing, etc.
3. Understand how a compiler works and how to build one accepting a modern computer language and generating assembly code.
4. Understand how an assembler works and how to build one.
5. Understand how a linker works.
6. Understand how a loader works.
7. Understand how a "silicon compiler" works and how to build one accepting a hardware description language and generating gate-level designs.
8. Understand the operating system services and issues involved in use of simple, custom, hardware.
9. Understand how to implement device drivers for accessing custom hardware.