Definitions

Question 1

Define Microprocessor

Answer 1

A programmable, multipurpose, clock-driven, register based machine that reads binary input from memory, accepts binary data and provides output in binary format

Question 2

Define Microcontroller

Answer 2

A small microcomputer that acts as a controlling device in embedded systems i.e. ovens and washing machines

Question 3

Define ALU

Answer 3

Arithmetic and Logic Unit- performs arithmetic and logic operations

Question 4

Define CPU

Answer 4

Central Processing Unit - the brain of the computer. it contains ALU, registers & control unit. It executes instructions and processes data

Question 5

Historical perspectives of Intel microprocessors

Answer 5

1. Early Beginnings (1970s)
   Intel 4004 (1971): The world’s first commercially available microprocessor, a 4-bit CPU, primarily used in calculators.
2. Rise of Personal Computing (1980s)
   Intel 8086 (1978) and 8088 (1979): 16-bit processors, with the 8088 being used in the first IBM PC.
3. Advancements and Dominance (1990s)
   Pentium Pro (1995): Introduced out-of-order execution and a separate L2 cache, focusing on enterprise and server markets.
4. The New Millennium (2000s)
   Intel Atom (2008): Designed for low-power devices, such as netbooks and embedded systems.
5. Modern Era (2010s - Present)
   Intel Core i9 (2017): High-performance processors for gaming, content creation, and professional applications.

Question 6

Registers

Answer 6

Temporarily store data during program execution

Question 7

Control Unit

Answer 7

Manages execution of instructions

Question 8

Memory

Answer 8

stores data and instructions

Question 9

RAM

Answer 9

Used for temporary storage (volatile)

Question 10

ROM

Answer 10

Used for permanent storage (Non-volatile)

Question 11

Data Bus

Answer 11

(Bidirectional) Used for transferring data

Question 12

Address Bus

Answer 12

Used for specifying memory address (unidirectional)

Question 13

Control Bus

Answer 13

Used for sending and receiving control signals to manage and coordinate operations

Question 14

Define Microcomputer

Answer 14

A digital computer that has a microprocessor as its CPU, combined with memory and I/O devices

Question 15

ALE

Answer 15

Address Latch Enable- Differentiates dual purpose pins hence separates the address from data during multiplexed address/data operations

Question 16

RD

Answer 16

Read- activated during read operations to indicate that the mp is reading data from the memory or I/O device

Question 17

WR

Answer 17

Write- activated during write operations to indicate that the mp is writing data to memory or I/O device

Question 18

READY

Answer 18

Used to synchronize MP with slower peripherals

Question 19

RESET

Answer 19

used to initialize MP

Question 20

LOCK

Answer 20

Used to indicate that the CPU is performing a locked operation

Question 21

HOLD

Answer 21

Used by external devices to request control of the system bus

Question 22

HLDA

Answer 22

Used in conjunction to the HOLD pin to manage DMA operations

Question 23

TEST

Answer 23

used for synchronization with external devices

Question 24

INTR

Answer 24

Used by external devices to signal an interrupt request

Question 25

INTA

Answer 25

Used to acknowledge an interrupt request

Question 26

PEREQ

Answer 26

Used by peripheral devices to request DMA services from the CPU

Question 27

NMI

Answer 27

Used to handle high priority non maskable interrupts

Question 28

X1,X2

Answer 28

Connected to an external clock oscillator and provides frequency for the MP

Question 29

RESET IN

Answer 29

Used to reset the MP

Question 30

RESET OUT

Answer 30

Used to reset the external devices connected to an MP

Question 31

IO/M

Answer 31

indicates whether the current operation involves I/O or memory.

Question 32

TRAP

Answer 32

a high-priority interrupt pin used to handle emergency situations.

Question 33

Flags

Answer 33

Carry Parity Sign Auxiliary Carry Zero

Question 34

Special function Register

Answer 34

Stack Pointer Program Counter Instruction Register Accumulator