PCTE Institute of Engineering &
Technology, Ludhiana
B.Tech CSE 4th Semester
Computer Organization & Architecture
BTES 401-18
CASE STUDY
8086 - MICROPROCESSOR
SUBMITTED BY: NIKHILESH SHARMA
UNIV.ROLL.NO: 2329391
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
[email protected] Case Study on 8086 Microprocessor
Introduction
The 8086 microprocessor was developed by Intel in 1978. It is a 16-bit microprocessor,
meaning it processes data in 16-bit chunks. The 8086 played a crucial role in the early
development of personal computers, including the IBM PC. It was widely used in industrial
applications and embedded systems. The 8086 introduced significant advancements in
processing speed, memory access, and instruction handling, paving the way for future
microprocessors.
The Intel 8086 microprocessor, introduced in 1978.
Architecture of 8086
The 8086 microprocessor consists of several key components that work together for efficient
processing:
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): Performs arithmetic and logic operations essential for
executing instructions.
Registers: The 8086 has 14 registers, including:
o General-purpose registers: AX, BX, CX, and DX, used for data
manipulation.
o Segment registers: CS (Code Segment), DS (Data Segment), SS (Stack
Segment), and ES (Extra Segment), which manage memory segmentation.
o Pointer and index registers: SP (Stack Pointer), BP (Base Pointer), SI
(Source Index), and DI (Destination Index) to assist in memory addressing.
Control Unit: Directs internal operations by decoding instructions and generating
necessary control signals.
Bus Interface Unit (BIU): Handles communication between memory and
input/output devices through address and data buses.
Execution Unit (EU): Processes fetched instructions and performs computations.
Instruction Queue: The 8086 uses a 6-byte queue to prefetch instructions,
improving execution speed.
Block diagram showing the internal architecture of the 8086 microprocessor.
Features of 8086
The 8086 introduced several new features that made it special:
16-bit Processor: Can process 16-bit data at a time, increasing computing efficiency.
20-bit Address Bus: Can access 1MB memory, which was a significant
improvement over earlier microprocessors with limited memory addressing.
Clock Speed: Operates at 5 MHz to 10 MHz, making it faster than its predecessors.
Pipelining: Uses an instruction queue to prefetch instructions, allowing parallel
execution and faster processing.
Segmentation: Divides memory into four segments (Code, Data, Stack, Extra) for
efficient memory management and logical separation of program components.
Memory Addressing Modes: Supports multiple addressing modes like direct,
indirect, indexed, and based addressing for flexible data access.
Interrupt System: Supports both hardware and software interrupts, allowing
multitasking and efficient execution of external operations.
Memory segmentation mechanism used in the 8086 microprocessor.
Working of 8086
The 8086 microprocessor follows a step-by-step execution cycle:
1. Fetch: The processor fetches instructions from memory using the Bus Interface Unit
(BIU).
2. Decode: The Control Unit interprets the instruction and generates the necessary
control signals.
3. Execute: The Execution Unit (EU) processes the instruction using the ALU,
registers, and memory.
4. Store: The final result is written back to memory or sent to an output device for
further processing.
5. Interrupt Handling (if required): If an interrupt occurs, the processor temporarily
halts execution and processes the interrupt before resuming the original program.
The instruction execution cycle in the 8086 microprocessor.
Special Aspects of 8086
The 8086 microprocessor was unique because:
It introduced pipelining, which made execution faster by prefetching instructions,
reducing idle time between execution cycles.
It supported segmentation, allowing efficient memory usage in early computers and
enabling larger programs to run on limited memory.
It was backward-compatible, meaning software written for the 8086 could run on
later Intel processors (e.g., 80286, 80386), ensuring long-term usability of software.
It formed the foundation of x86 architecture, which is still used in modern Intel and
AMD processors today.
It featured multiprocessing support, allowing integration with coprocessors like the
Intel 8087 for enhanced floating-point calculations.
Applications of 8086
The 8086 microprocessor had a wide range of applications across different industries:
Personal Computers: Used in early IBM PCs and MS-DOS-based systems, forming
the foundation of modern computing.
Industrial Automation: Found in control systems, robotic systems, and process
automation where real-time processing was required.
Military and Aerospace: Used in missile guidance systems, aircraft control
systems, and defense applications due to its reliability.
Medical Devices: Embedded in medical imaging devices, diagnostic machines, and
monitoring systems.
Automotive Systems: Used in engine control units (ECUs), digital dashboards,
and onboard computers.
Embedded Systems: Utilized in cash registers, gaming consoles, and scientific
calculators.
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The IBM PC, one of the earliest computers using the Intel 8086 microprocessor.
Conclusion
The 8086 microprocessor was a groundbreaking invention that laid the foundation for
modern computing. Its architecture introduced important concepts like pipelining,
segmentation, and multiprocessing, which significantly improved performance. The 8086
set the standard for x86-based processors, a legacy that continues in today’s modern
processors. Even though newer technologies have replaced it, the 8086 remains a key
milestone in the evolution of microprocessors, shaping the future of computing and
embedded systems.
Key Takeaways:
The 8086 microprocessor revolutionized computing with its 16-bit architecture,
segmentation, and pipelining.
It formed the basis of x86 architecture, influencing modern processors.
It found applications in personal computers, industrial automation, military,
medical, and embedded systems.
Despite being an early microprocessor, its legacy continues in today’s computing
world.
