Summary

• Superscalar: You should be able to explain Why superscalar can increase performance and what is the limiting factor in superscalar design
• VLIW : You must distinguish between static and dynamic scheduling
• Code generation from intermediate code to assembly language (Rz to S2).  You should be able to do the following: generate code for Simple assignment statements,  explain how to pass parameters,  explain Activation record
• Memory system design : You should be able to explain the benefit of memory hierarchy and reason about cache design parameters.  You must understand the cache organisation.
• Speculative execution : First you must aware that EPIC is very similar to VLIW.  You should understand the use of predicate and code motion.  How code is changed by the compiler to take advantage of speculative execution (in a simple case).
• Vector machine and future architecture :  You must be able to relate the future technology with the design constraints of a processor (power, speed, cost etc.).  I will ask you explicitly what the future processor will look like and why.
• Low power design is not included in the final examination.

What we learn from this class?

I hope all of you find this class helpful when you have to face with the task of evaluation of a computer system and understand the importance of knowing-the-future.  I give you basics which you will be able to futhur your own investigation in this fascinating field.