AL-404 RGPV B.Tech
Computer Organization & Architecture (COA)
Previous year papers and the official syllabus are free to read, no account needed.
Previous Year Papers
7 papers, latest Jun 2026
- AL-404 paper, Jun 2026
- AL-404 paper, Jun 2025
- AL-404 paper, Dec 2024
- AL-404 paper, Jun 2024
- AL-404 paper, Nov 2023
- AL-404 paper, Jun 2023
Syllabus, notes and important questions for AL-404
Syllabus units
Topics as the official RGPV syllabus lists them.
Unit 1 Basic Structure of Computer 23 topics
- Basic Structure of Computer
- Structure of Desktop Computers
- General Register Organization (Memory Register)
- Instruction Register
- Control Word
- Stack Organization
- Instruction Format
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- I/O System
- Bus architecture
- CPU and Memory Program Counter
- Bus Structure
- Register Transfer Language (Bus and Memory Transfer)
- Addressing Modes
- Control Unit Organization
- Concept of Instruction
- Instruction Types
- Micro‑instruction Formats
- Fetch and Execution Cycle
- Hardwired Control Unit
- Microprogrammed Control Unit
- Microprogram Sequencer Control Memory
- Sequencing and Execution of Micro‑instruction
Unit 2 Computer Arithmetic 10 topics
- Computer Arithmetic
- Binary Addition and Subtraction
- Complement Representation
- Signed Addition and Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Booth's Algorithm
- Division Operation
- Floating‑Point Arithmetic Operations
- Design of Arithmetic Unit
Unit 3 I/O Organization 10 topics
- I/O Organization
- I/O Interface – PCI Bus
- I/O Interface – SCSI Bus
- I/O Interface – USB
- Data Transfer Modes – Serial
- Data Transfer Modes – Parallel
- Data Transfer Modes – Synchronous
- Data Transfer Modes – Asynchronous
- Direct Memory Access (DMA)
- I/O Processor
Unit 4 Memory Organization 12 topics
- Memory Organization
- Main Memory – RAM
- Read‑Only Memory (ROM)
- Secondary Memory – Magnetic Tape
- Secondary Memory – Disk
- Secondary Memory – Optical Storage
- Cache Memory – Structure and Design
- Cache Mapping Scheme
- Cache Replacement Algorithms
- Improving Cache Performance
- Virtual Memory
- Memory Management Hardware
Unit 5 Multiprocessors 11 topics
- Multiprocessors – Characteristics
- Multiprocessor Structure – Interprocessor Arbitration
- Inter‑Processor Communication and Synchronization
- Memory in Multiprocessor Systems
- Pipelining Concept
- Vector Processing
- Array Processing
- RISC Architecture
- CISC Architecture
- Multicore Processors – Intel
- Multicore Processors – AMD
Exam insights
Counted from 7 past AL-404 papers.
Marks asked per paper, by unit
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Unit 1 Basic Structure of Computer 23 marks
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Unit 2 Computer Arithmetic 15 marks
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Unit 3 I/O Organization 17 marks
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Unit 4 Memory Organization 22 marks
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Unit 5 Multiprocessors 16 marks
Average marks of the questions from each unit in one paper. You answer only some of them, so the total is more than the paper’s maximum.
Asked again and again
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Compare and differentiate RISC vs CISC architectures, including definitions, characteristics, and examples.
Asked 4 times: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023
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Compare RISC and CISC architectures and explain their fundamental differences with examples.
Asked 4 times: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023
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What is a multiprocessor and explain inter-processor communication, synchronization and arbitration in detail.
Asked 3 times: 2025, 2023, 2022