Energy Aware Computing (Level 10) (VS1) (U03921)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : INF-4-EAC-4-V

This course aims to introduce students to basic concepts and modern techniques in designing, modelling and evaluating energy-efficient computing systems. Low energy/power consumption is the most important design issue in modern computing devices as it has a direct impact not only on the battery life of mobile electronic equipment, but also sets limits on the operating speed of high-performance computing devices. This course will examine techniques to improve energy consumption at circuit (logic gate), micro-architecture, memory hierarchy and, at a lesser degree, at OS, compiler levels. It will also introduce state of the art approaches to energy aware computing by examining selected research papers. Practical coursework will require students to implement selected methods in research simulators and evaluate their performance.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U03748

? Pre-requisites : Computer Architecture This course is only available to part-year visiting students who are only in Edinburgh for Semester 1.

? Co-requisites : Successful completion of Year 3 of an Informatics Single or Combined Honours Degree, or equivalent by permission of the School. This course is also open to Engineering MEng students who have suitable programming expertise. Computer Design is a desirable pre-requisite, although is not essential. Students are expected to be competent programmers in C, C++ or Java.

? Prohibited combinations : Energy Aware Computing (Level 11)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Computer Systems Organisation, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	14:00	14:50	Central
Lecture	Friday	14:00	14:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
* describe and discuss the factors which contribute to the consumption of power/energy in computing systems and how they affect the system performance.
* explain in detail mechanisms found in modern computing systems for conserving energy.
* discuss, assess and compare the behaviour and performance of energy-saving techniques on computing micro-architectures
* gain familiarity with state-of-the-art tools such as processor simulators, memory models and compilers, and use them to implement and evaluate techniques described in the technical literature.
* write and present clear and concise descriptions of complex systems/methods.