Course Information =================== ------------------ Course description ------------------ In this course, we will discuss advanced computer architecture techniques. The course will cover a variety of latest research topics centered around the computer architecture, including instruction set architecture, multi-core processors, parallel programming models and architecture, heterogeneous computing systems, processor security, hardware accelerators and virtualization, cache architecture, memory subsystem, memory consistency and persistency models, near-data processing, disaggregated computing architecture, and unconventional computer architecture like brain-computer interface. Through this course, students will learn not only the fundamental concepts of computer architecture via the lecture materials, but also the hands-on experience of designing and evaluating architecture techniques via MPs and a course project. ------------------------------- Who is this course for? ------------------------------- ECE511 is primarily intended for motivated seniors and graduate students who want to learn the latest research advances in computer architecture. ------------ Prerequisite ------------ - ECE411 Computer Organization and Design (or similar basic computer architecture course) ----------------- Quick Links ----------------- Communication and Q&A for this course will be on Piazza. Gradescope and Canvas will be used to handle assigment submissions and grading. If you've signed up for the class, you should be auto-enrolled in these platforms. Please ensure you can access them at the links below. - Piazza: https://piazza.com/illinois/spring2026/ece511 - Gradescope: https://www.gradescope.com/courses/1223429 - Canvas: https://canvas.illinois.edu/courses/66463 ------------ Class Times ------------ - Instructor: Professor Jian Huang - Lecture: 9:00AM - 10:20AM, Tuesdays & Thursdays, ECEB 3017 -------- TAs -------- - Noelle Crawford (noellec3@illinois.edu) - Michael Wang (mjwang6@illinois.edu) ------------ Office hours ------------ - Prof. Huang (jianh@illinois.edu) - When/Where: After class, 10:30AM-11:00AM Tuesdays & Thursdays - Noelle Crawford (noellec3@illinois.edu) - 3:00PM-4:00PM Wednesdays in CSL 239 - Michael Wang (mjwang6@illinois.edu) - 3:30PM-4:30PM Fridays in CSL 239 -------------- Grading policy -------------- - In-class Pop-quiz (35%) - Questions & answers for basic concepts - 5 quizzes, each quiz will take about 20 minutes - Programming Assignments (30%) - MP0 (0%): Student Information Sheet - MP1 (12%): Gem5 simulator system - MP2 (9%): GPU architecture simulator - MP3 (9%): A study of DRAM architecture - Course Project or MP4 (TBD) (35%) - Milestone-1 (4%): related work summary. Each team should submit an investigation of related work. - Milestone-2 (8%): submit a project proposal and discuss with the instructor. Proposal would be revised after discussion. - Milestone-3 (4%): in-class presentation of the proposed project. - Milestone-4 (4%): middle-term checkpoint (a short technical report with preliminary results) and progress discussion with the instructor. - Milestone-5 (5%): in-class demo and presentation. - Milestone-6 (10%): final report and source code.