227-0085-51L Projects & Seminars: Hands-on Acceleration on Heterogeneous Computing Systems
Semester | Spring Semester 2021 |
Lecturers | O. Mutlu, J. Gómez Luna |
Periodicity | every semester recurring course |
Language of instruction | English |
Comment | Only for Electrical Engineering and Information Technology BSc. Course can only be registered for once. A repeatedly registration in a later semester is not chargeable. |
Courses
Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | |
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227-0085-51 P | Projekte & Seminare: Hands-on Acceleration on Heterogeneous Computing Systems
Für den Zugang zum Angebot und zur Einschreibung loggen Sie sich hier ein (mit Ihrem n.ETHZ account): Link Bitte beachten Sie, dass die Seite jeweils erst zwei Wochen vor Semesterbeginn zugänglich ist und im Verlauf des Semesters wieder abgeschaltet wird. Die Einschreibung ist nur von Freitag vor Semesterbeginn bis zum ersten Freitagmittag im Semester möglich. To access the offer and to enroll for courses log in (with your n.ethz account): Link Please note that the P&S-site is accessible no earlier than two weeks before the start of the semester until four weeks after the start of the semester. Enrollment is only possible from Friday before the start of the semester until noon of the first Friday in the semester. | 3 hrs | O. Mutlu, J. Gómez Luna |
Catalogue data
Abstract | The category of "Laboratory Courses, Projects, Seminars" includes courses and laboratories in various formats designed to impart practical knowledge and skills. Moreover, these classes encourage independent experimentation and design, allow for explorative learning and teach the methodology of project work. |
Objective | The increasing difficulty of scaling the performance and efficiency of CPUs every year has created the need for turning computers into heterogeneous systems, i.e., systems composed of multiple types of processors that can suit better different types of workloads or parts of them. More than a decade ago, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) became general-purpose parallel processors, in order to make their outstanding processing capabilities available to many workloads beyond graphics. GPUs have been critical key to the recent rise of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, which took unrealistic training times before the use of GPUs. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are another example computing device that can deliver impressive benefits in terms of performance and energy efficiency. More specific examples are (1) a plethora of specialized accelerators (e.g., Tensor Processing Units for neural networks), and (2) near-data processing architectures (i.e., placing compute capabilities near or inside memory/storage). Despite the great advances in the adoption of heterogeneous systems in recent years, there are still many challenges to tackle, for example: - Heterogeneous implementations (using GPUs, FPGAs, TPUs) of modern applications from important fields such as bioinformatics, machine learning, graph processing, medical imaging, personalized medicine, robotics, virtual reality, etc. - Scheduling techniques for heterogeneous systems with different general-purpose processors and accelerators, e.g., kernel offloading, memory scheduling, etc. - Workload characterization and programming tools that enable easier and more efficient use of heterogeneous systems. If you are enthusiastic about working hands-on with different software, hardware, and architecture projects for heterogeneous systems, this is your P&S. You will have the opportunity to program heterogeneous systems with different types of devices (CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, TPUs), propose algorithmic changes to important applications to better leverage the compute power of heterogeneous systems, understand different workloads and identify the most suitable device for their execution, design optimized scheduling techniques, etc. In general, the goal will be to reach the highest performance reported for a given important application. Prerequisites of the course: - Digital Design and Computer Architecture (or equivalent course). - Familiarity with C/C++ programming and strong coding skills. - Interest in future computer architectures and computing paradigms. - Interest in discovering why things do or do not work and solving problems - Interest in making systems efficient and usable The course is conducted in English. |
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
ECTS credits | 3 credits |
Examiners | O. Mutlu, J. Gómez Luna |
Type | ungraded semester performance |
Language of examination | English |
Repetition | Repetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit. |
Learning materials
No public learning materials available. | |
Only public learning materials are listed. |
Groups
No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
General | : Special students and auditors need a special permission from the lecturers |
Places | Limited number of places. Special selection procedure. |
Beginning of registration period | Registration possible from 19.02.2021 |
Waiting list | until 12.03.2021 |
End of registration period | Registration only possible until 05.03.2021 |
Offered in
Programme | Section | Type | |
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Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Bachelor | Projects & Seminars | W |