1.
Draw the block diagram of simple microprocessor-based system and explain the function
of each block (You can use MS Word or Google Docs).
INFORMATION INFORMATION
DATA DATA Output
Input
CPU Device
Device
Data, Instruction Code,
Information
Memory
Input Device – it gives input data to the processor.
CPU – the Central Processing Unit is a heart of organization; it has the ability to process
input as per instructions of managing body.
Output Device – it gives information to the user.
Memory – it stores data instruction code and information.
2. Draw and explain the simple model of microprocessor.
Simple model is a sequential digital circuit as shown. It consists of 4 bit up-counte,
decoders, registers, switch control circuit, and arithmetic logic unit (ALU).
3. Define operand and instruction.
Instructions are operations performed by the CPU. Operands are entities operated upon
by the instruction.
4. List the various digital components used in microprocessor.
4 bit up-counter
Decoders
Registers
Switch control circuit
Control unit
Arithmetic logic unit
5. What is memory?
Computer memory is a device that is used to store data or programs (sequences of
instructions) on a temporary or permanent basis for use in an electronic digital computer.
6. Define the program.
Program is the sequence of instruction written for specific operation
7. What is the function of program counter?
As defined above a program is a series of instructions stored in the memory. These
instructions must be executed in a proper order to get the correct result. This sequence of
instruction execution is monitored by the program counter. It keeps tract of which
instruction is being used and what the next instruction will be. The program counter gives
the address of memory location from where the next instruction is to be fetched.
8. What do you mean by address bus and data bus?
Address bus is a group of wires that carries the address which is the output of
program counter.
The data within the registers is used in different form such as opcodes and operands.
This data is moved from register to register, from memory to register through groups of
wires called data bus.
9. What do you mean by word length?
The group of bits that a microprocessor can recognize and process is called word and
microprocessors are classified according to their word length. For example, a microprocessor
with an 8-bit word is known as 8-bit microprocessor and a microprocessor with a 16-bit word
is known as 16-bit microprocessor.
10. State the function of instruction register and instruction decoder.
Instruction register: The register in which instruction opcode is stored temporarily.
Instruction decoder: The decoder (decoder B in small model) which takes instruction
opcode from the instruction register and decodes it to generate appropriate control signals
corresponding to the instruction.
11. List the various phases involved in the instruction execution process.
1) Fetch
2) Decode
3) Execute
12. Explain the operation performed in the various phases of instruction execution.
Fetch- in fetch phase, microprocessor places the contents of the program
counter on the address bus and gets instruction code, opcode from the addressed
memory location. The microprocessor then saves opcode in the instruction register.
Decode- in this phase, the opcode from the instruction register is decoded
with the help of instruction decoder to generate appropriate control signals to
execute the instruction.
Execute- in this phase, microprocessor generates appropriate control signals
and executes the instruction.
13. Explain various functions of ALU.
One of the microprocessor’s major logic devices is the arithmetic logic unit (ALU). It
contains the microprocessor’s data processing logic. It has two inputs and output. The
internal data bus of microprocessor is connected to the two inputs of ALU through the
temporary register and the accumulator.
The ALU’s single output is connected to the internal bus. It allows to send the output
of ALU over the bus to any device connected to the bus. The ALU works on either one or two
data words, depending on the kind of operation. The ALU of the most microprocessors can
perform the following instruction:
Add
Subtract
AND
OR
Exclusive OR
Complement
Shift right
Shift left
Increment
14. What is accumulator?
The accumulator is the major working register of microprocessor. Most of the time it
used to hold data for manipulation. Whenever the operation process two words, whether
arithmetically or logically, the accumulator contains one of the words. The other word may
be present in another register or in a memory location. Most of the times the result of an
arithmetic or logical operation is placed in the accumulator. In such cases, after execution of
instruction original contents of accumulator are lost because they are overwritten.
The accumulator is also used for data transfer between I/O port and a memory
location, or between one memory location and another.
15. What is program counter?
The counter used in a small model is used to locate instructions in a proper sequence
(program). Thus, it is called program counter.
16. What is subroutine?
As written above, the instruction must be executed in a proper order to get the
correct result. Most follows the logical sequence of the instructions. In some situations, it is
better to execute part of a program that is not in sequence (don’t confuse with logical
sequence) with the main program. For example, there may be a part of a program that must
be repeated many times during the execution of the entire program. Rather than writing
repeated part of the program again and again the programmer can write that part only once.
This part is written separately. The part of the program which is separately written is called
subroutine.
17. Explain the execution of subroutine program.
The program counter does the major role in subroutine execution as it can loaded
with required memory address. With the help of instruction, it is possible to load any
memory address in the program counter. When subroutine is to be executed, the program
counter is loaded with the memory address of the first instruction in the subroutine. After
execution of the subroutine, the program counter is loaded with memory address of the next
instruction from where the program control was transferred to the subroutine program.
18. What is status register? Explain it use.
The status register is used to store the results of certain condition when certain
operations are performed during execution of the program. The status register is also
referred to as flag register. ALU operations and certain register operations may set or reset
one or more bits in the status register. Status bits lead to a new set microprocessor
instruction. These instructions permit the execution of a program to change flow on the
basis of the condition of bits in the status register. So, the condition bits in the status register
can be used to take logical decisions within the program.
19. List various flags in the status register.
Carry/Borrow
Zero
Negative or sign
Auxiliary Carry
Overflow flag
Parity
20. What is stack and stack pointer?
We have seen how subroutines are executed by changing the program counter
contents. But one question you may have in your mind is that how the program counter is
loaded with the address of the next instruction (return address) from where the program
control was transferred to the subroutine. The return address is kept in a special memory
called stack.
The memory address of the stack area is given by a special register called stack
pointer. Like program counter, the stack pointer automatically points to the next available
location in the memory.
21. Explain the operation of stack.
As you go on storing (pushing) data on the stack, the stack pointer always points the
last data placed on the stack and when you try to remove (pop) data you always get the last
data placed on the stack. This kind of stack operation is called LIFO (last in first out)
operation.
22. What do you mean by general purpose registers?
In addition to the basic registers, most microprocessors have others register called
general purpose register. The general-purpose registers are used as simple storage area,
mainly these are used to store intermediate results of the operations. Getting the operand from
the general-purpose register in the microprocessor. The microprocessor used in this chapter
has six general purpose register called B, C, D, E, H, and L registers. These registers individually
can operate as 8-bit registers. Together, the BC, DE, and HL registers can operate as 16 bit
register pairs.
23. What is the function of timing and control unit in microprocessor?
It provides timing and control signal to the microprocessor to perform the various
operation. It has three control signal. It controls all external and internal circuits. It operates
with reference to clock signal. It synchronizes all the data transfers.
24. What is microcomputer?
As the name implies micro-computers are smaller computers. They contain only one
Central Processing Unit. One distinguishing feature of a microcomputer is that the CPU is
usually a single integrated circuit called microprocessor.
Microcomputer is the integration of microprocessor and supporting peripherals
(memory and I/O devices). These types of computers are used for small industrial control,
process control and where storage and speed requirements are moderate.
25. What is minicomputer?
Minicomputers are the scaled-up version of microcomputers with the moderate
speed and storage capacity. These are designed to process smaller data words, typically 32-
bit words. This type of computers is used for scientific calculations, research, data processing
application and many other.
26. What is mainframe computer?
Mainframe computers are implemented using two or more central processing units
(CPU). These are designed to work at very high speeds with large data word lengths, typically
64 bits or greater. The data storage capacity of these computers is very high. These types of
computers are used for complex scientific calculations, large data processing applications,
Military defense control and for complex graphic application (e.g.: For creating walkthroughs
with the help of animation software’s).
