Energy Aware Computing (Level 11) (P02335)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : INF-P-EAC-5

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 and evaluate selected methods in research simulators and to critically review literature in this field.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : For Informatics PG and final year MInf students only, or by special permission of the School. Prior attendance at undergraduate courses on computer architecture and computer design is desirable although not essential. Students are expected to be competent programmers in C, C++ or Java.

? Prohibited combinations : Energy Aware Computing (Level 10)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Informatics, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

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

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

1 - describe and discuss the factors which contribute to the consumption of power/energy in computing systems and how they affect the system performance.
2 - explain in detail mechanisms found in modern computing systems for conserving energy.
3 - discuss, assess and compare the behaviour and performance of energy-saving techniques on computing micro-architectures
4 - 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.
5 - write and present clear and concise descriptions of complex systems/methods.
6 - locate, summarise and discuss critically peer-reviewed literature on a specific subarea of energy-aware computing.

Assessment Information

Written Examination 50
Assessed Assignments 50
Oral Presentations 0

Assessment
There will be two pieces of assessed coursework.

The first (worth 40%) is a project to design, implement and evaluate an energy efficient architectural technique, using state-of-the-art modelling and simulation tools. The students will document their work in a short report and demonstrate it to the course lecturer.

The second piece of coursework (worth 10%) will consist of writing a literature survey and critical evaluation of an area related to the course topics.