Digital Design and RISC-V Computer Architecture Textbook

Abstract

This paper describes the authors’ Digital Design and Computer Architecture: RISC-V Edition textbook. The book presents a unified 1-or 2-semester course on digital design and computer architecture. We have found that learning these topics together clarifies and solidifies understanding of both concepts. The textbook begins by describing digital design concepts and techniques, from number systems, logic gates, and transistor-level gate design to synchronous sequential circuits such as finite state machines and other common digital building blocks. It then builds on these concepts to teach computer architecture and processor design by introducing the RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA), showing how to design three RISC-V processors with limited instructions, and describing various memory organizations, including caches and virtual memory. The textbook also describes logic design using hardware description languages (HDLs), covering SystemVerilog and VHDL side-by-side. The optional appendices and online chapters introduce the C programming language, embedded system design, and practical aspects of digital design including breadboarding, ASIC design, and transmission lines.CCS CONCEPTS • Architectures • Embedded Systems • Logic