EC6504 MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCONTROLLER

QUESTION BANK
UNIT I - THE 8086 MICROPROCESSOR
PART A
What is the processing element inside the microprocessor? What
1) process it does?
How many memory locations can be addressed by 8086
2) microprocessor?
If the stack segment register contains 3000H and the stack pointer
3) register contains
8434H, what is the physical address of the top of the stack?
4) What do you mean by addressing modes?
5) Give the operation of CBW and TEST instructions of 8086?
6) What is the function of parity flag?
7) How 16-Bit address is converted into 20-Bit address in 8086?

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8) Name the hardware interrupts of 8086.

What address in the interrupt vector table, are used for a Type-2
9) interrupt in 8086?
10
)
Why do we use macros?
11
)
What are called assembler directives? Give two examples.
12
)
What is BIOS function call in 8086 Microprocessor?
13) Explain the coordination between BIU and EU.
14) If BH = 0F3H, what is the value of BH in hex after the instruction SAR BH, 1.
15) If AL = 78H and BL=73H, explain how DAS instruction (after
subtracting BL from AL) adjusts to the BCD result.
16) Draw the 8086 flag register format.
17) Why AAD is to be executed before DIV instruction while
converting unpacked BCD to Binary number?
18) List the pointer and index registers of 8086 architecture.
19) Identify the addressing modes involved in the following
8086 instructions: MOV AX, 0005H; MOV AX, 50H [BX]
[SI].
20) Give the significance of Interrupt flag in 8086 processor.
21) Give a note on the use of auxiliary carry flag.
22) What do you mean by Non Maskable Interrupt?
23) List the different flags affected by the arithmetic and logic operations.
24) Draw the contents of the stack and the registers after a PUSH instruction.
25) What is an interrupt service routine?
26) What is storage space required to store the interrupt vectors of 8086?

27) What is pipelined architecture?

28) What are the maximum address space and data bus width of 8086 processor?
29) Mention the addressing modes of the following
8086 instructions: MOV AL, disp[BX]; MOV AH,
disp[BX], [SI]

EC6504 MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCONTROLLER

Question Bank

30) The CS contains A820H, while the IP contains CE24H. What is the
resulting physical address?
31) What do these instructions do? : STD, IRET.
32) List the interrupts present in 8086 with interrupt vector table.
33) What is the Physical address corresponding to DS: 103FH if DS=94D0H?
34) What are the advantages of using memory segmentation in 8086?
35) Can the 8086 processor operate on more than one instruction at a
time? If so explain how it is done?
36) What does REP prefix accomplish and what type of instruction is it used
with?

PART B
1) [i] Describe the sequence of signals that occurs on the address
bus, the control bus, and the data bus when a simple
microcomputer fetches an instruction. [8]
[ii] Explain the bus interface unit and execution unit of 8086
microprocessor. [8]
2) [i] Write an 8086 assembly language program to multiply two 16-bit
numbers to give 32-bit result. [8]
[ii] Describe the conditions which cause the 8086 to
perform type 0 and type 1 interrupt. [8]
3) Draw and discuss the interrupt structure of 8086. [16]
4) [i] Write an 8086 assembly language program to get an input from
the keyboard for 2 digits and convert that input into a hexadecimal
number using BIOS int.
[ii] Write an 8086 assembly language program to multiply 2
digit numbers by getting an input from the keyboard using
BIOS interrupt call.
5) Write an 8086 ALP to sort out any given 10 numbers in ascending
and descending order.[10]
6) With neat block diagram, explain the architecture of 8086
microprocessor.[16]
7) Write a program to find the average of ten numbers.[8]
8) Write a program to divide two 8-Bit numbers.[4]
9) Explain about the following assembler directives : END P, EQU,
EVEN, EXTRN with examples.[8]
10) What are the assembler directives and pseudo ops?[4]
11) [i] Draw the internal architecture of 8086 microprocessor and explain
its Bus Interface Unit (BIU). [8]
[ii] Give an example for the 8086 instructions: AAA, CWD, JNBE, LAHF,
MOVS, RCL, ROL and SAHF. [8]
12) [i] What is the use of the following assembler directives:
AD.ENDS, EVEN and EXTRN. [8]
[iii] Explain the 8086 Interrupt types with an example. [8]
13) [i] Draw the architectural block diagram of 8086 microprocessor and
explain.[8]
[ii] Explain how to pass parameters to macros. [8]
14) [i] Explain the interrupt structure of an 8086 microprocessor with
8086 interrupt-pointer table.[8]
[ii] Write an 8086 assembly language program to read in 100
samples of data at 1-ms intervals. [8]
15) Explain any 8 addressing modes of 8086 processor with an example.
16) Explain the register organization of 8086 processor in detail.
17) Explain the role of the following.
[1] Address Conversion Mechanism
[2] Instruction Queue

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EC6504 MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCONTROLLER

Question Bank

18) [i] Describe the action taken by 8086 when INTR pin is activated. [6]
[ii] Write an assembly language program in 8086 to search the
largest data in an array. [10]
19) Explain
the
following
assembler
directives used in 8086 [1] ASSUME [2]
EQU [3] DW [6]
20) [i]Write a program to find the number of positive numbers and
negative numbers in a given series of signed numbers using
8086.
[ii]Explain the following assembly directives: SHORT, TYPE, FAR PTR

UNIT II - 8086 SYSTEM BUS STRUCTURE

PART A
How does the main processor distinguish its instructions from the co1) processor
instructions when it fetches the instruction from memory?
Compare closely coupled configuration with loosely coupled
2) configuration.
3) What are advantages of coprocessor?
4) What is meant by a loosely coupled configuration?
5) List the features of memory mapped I/O.
6) What is co-processor?
7) What is a floating point co-processor?
8) What are the differences between 8085 and 8086 processor?
How does CPU differentiate the 8087 instructions from its own
9) instructions?
10 How 8089 operates in loosely coupled configuration and tightly
)
coupled configuration?
11 In what ways are the standard microprocessor and co-processor differ
)
from each
other?
12 How does the main processor distinguish its instructions from those
)
for 8087 as it
fetches instructions from memory?
13 Compare closely coupled configuration features with loosely coupled
)
configuration
features.
14
)
List any four 8087 data formats.
15 Why a latch is used for an O/P port, but a tri-state buffer can be used
)
for an input
port?

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16) What is the function of HOLD and HLDA?

17) List out the pin details other than address pins and data pins.
18) State the use of READY signal in 8086 processor.
19) Name the signals used by the processor to communicate with an I/O processor.
20) Differentiate minimum and maximum mode of 8086.
21) What are the advantages of the multiprocessor systems?
22) What is Daisy chaining?
23) What is polling?
24) Name the three bus allocation schemes used in loosely
coupled multiprocessor system.

25) What are the three basic multiprocessor configurations that the 8086 can support?
26) What is Bus Arbitration?
27) List some advanced processors.

EC6504 MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCONTROLLER

Question Bank

PART B
[i] Draw the control word and status word format of 8087 processor.
1) [8]
[ii] Explain how the communication between CPU and IOP processor
takes place. [8]
2) [i] Draw the architecture of 8089 I/O processor and explain it. [8]
[ii] Explain the different data formats of 8087 co-processor. [8]
3) [i] Explain the execution steps of 8087 Coprocessor. [8]
[ii] Explain the architecture of 8089 I/O Processor. [8]
Explain the closely coupled configuration of multiprocessor
4) configuration with suitable
diagram.
[16]

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64Kb of RAM.[12]
[ii] Give the functions of NMI, BHE and TEST pins of 8086?[4]
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7) Draw and discuss a typical minimum mode 8086 system.[8]
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8) Describe the maximum mode of operation of 8086.[8]
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9) Explain the architecture of 8087 numeric data processor. [16]
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10 [i] Differentiate closely coupled configuration and loosely coupled
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configuration.[6]
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[ii] Explain the architecture of 8089 I/O processor.[10]
11
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Discuss the operation of 8087 numeric data processor.[16]
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12
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Describe the architecture of 8089. [16]
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13 [i] Draw the architecture of 8089 I/O processor and explain the need
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processor. [8]
[ii] Compare closely coupled configuration with loosely coupled
configuration. [8]
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[i] How is the communication between CPU and IOP being done? [8]
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[ii] Draw the internal block diagram of 8087 co-processor and explain.
[8]
15
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[i] Draw the 8087 internal architecture and explain. [8]
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[ii] Give two examples of 8087 data transfer instructions, arithmetic
instructions,
processor control instructions and transcendental instructions. [8]
16
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[i] Draw the architecture of 8089 I/O processor and explain. [8]
2012]
[ii] Explain how I/O processor communicates between the CPU and I/O
peripherals
with an example. [8]
17
)
Explain the functions of an 8086 processor in the maximum mode.
18
)
Explain the significance of the following signals :
[1] HOLD [2] IO/M
[3] LOCK
19) Explain how the memory unit is addressed by 8086 with a neat diagram.
20) [i]Explain in detail about memory access mechanism in 8086 [8]
[ii] Explain the function of following 8086 signals. HLDA, RQ/GTO, DEN, ALE
21) Discuss in detail about any one of the advanced processors.

UNIT III - I/O INTERFACING

PART A
1) What are the advantages of Programmable Interval Timer/Counter IC?
2) What is bus stealing?
3) What are the operating modes of 8255?
What are the requirements to be met while interfacing memory or I/O
4) devices to 8085
processor?

EC6504 MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCONTROLLER

5) What are the modes of operation of 8237?

6) What is the function of LOCK and RQ/GT signals?
How to change the direction of the stepper motor from clockwise
7) direction to
anticlockwise direction using a program segment.

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Question Bank

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8) List the six modes of timer.

9) Mention any two applications that uses ADC and DAC.
10) What are the steps in interfacing peripherals with the microprocessor?

11) What are the differences in interfacing RWMs while 8086 is in

minimum and maximum modes?
12) State the use of cascading signals of 8259 programmable interrupt controller.
13) State the role of In-service register of 8259 interrupt controller.
14) What are the operating modes of 8253?
15) What is the use of IRR[Interrupt Request Register]?
16) What does it imply if 8259s ICW1 bit fields LTIM and SNGL bits are set to zero?
17) What is key bouncing?
18) List the uses of USART.
19) List the features of 8251.
20) List the functions performed by 8279.
21) What is the function of gate signal in 8254 timer?
22) Write the format of ICW1 in 8259.
23) Name the two modes used by the DMA processes to transfer data.
24) Name the six modes of operations of an 8253 programmable interval timer.
25) Using two 8259-interrupt controllers what is the maximum
number of peripherals that can be provided with interrupt facility.

PART B
[i] In how many modes we can use 8253/54 timer? Explain the
1) different modes of
operation of 8253/54 timer. [8]
[ii] How to interface a DMA controller with a microprocessor? Explain
how DMA
controller transfers large amount of data from one memory locations
to another
memory locations? [8]

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[i] Draw the block diagram of a keyboard display controller and

2) explain. [8]
[ii] Explain in detail about the parallel communication interface. [8]
[i] Explain the mode 0 operation of 8255 Programmable Peripheral
3) Interface. [8]
[ii] Explain the different modes of operation of a timer. [8]
Explain the internal architecture of 8237 Direct Memory Access
4) Controller. [16]
5) [i]Bring about the features of 8251.[6]
[ii]Discuss how 8251 is used for serial data communication.[6]
[iii]Explain the advantages of using the USART chips in
microprocessor based
systems.[4]
List the major components of 8279 keyboard display interface and
6) explain their
functions.[16]
Explain the [i] modes of operation of timer and [ii] operation of
7) interrupt
controller.[16]
8) [i] Explain the operating modes of 8253 timer. [8]
[ii] What is DMA? Explain the DMA based data transfer using 8237
DMA controller.

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Question Bank

[i] How do you interface a keyboard and the display using

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controller?[8]
[ii] Explain the parallel communication interface with microprocessor.
[8]
10 [i] Explain the operating modes of 8255 programmable peripheral
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interface. [8]
2012]
[ii] Draw the control word format of 8254 programmable interval
timer and explain.
[8]
11 [i] Draw the architectural block diagram of 8259 Programmable
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Interrupt controller
2012]
and explain. [8]
12) Write a program to interface LED and LCD displays with 8086 Microprocessor.
13) Write a assembly language program to interface a keyboard
and the display using 8086 microprocessor.
14) With a simple program, explain how will you interface alarm
controller with 8086 microprocessor.
15) Explain the Traffic light controller and write a program in 8086
processor to interface traffic light controller and processor.

UNIT IV - MICROCONTROLLER
PART A
1) Compare the features of microprocessor and microcontroller.
What are the differences between the microprocessor and
2) microcontroller?
3) What is the significance of EA line of 8051 microcontroller?
4) What is the difference between MOVX and MOV?

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5) What is Baud rate for mode 0 operation of the serial port of 8051?
In the program status word of 8051, the bits RS0 and RS1 are 1 and
6) 0, then which
register bank is selected for operation?
Why are the port lines of programmable port devices automatically
7) put in the input
mode when the device is first powered-up or reset?
What is the size of the on-chip program memory and on-chip data
8) memory of 8051
microcontroller?

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9) List the features of the parallel ports of 8051 microcontroller.

10) What are the advantages of using a microcontroller in place of a microprocessor?
11) What are the functions of the following signals of 8051? ALE/PROG, PSEN
12) List the applications of a microcontroller.
13) Define XTAL1 and XTAL2.
14) What do you mean by Indirect Addressing Mode?
15) What is the function of DPTR register?
16) What is the possible branching range when an AJMP/ACALL of
8051 instruction is executed?
17) How does the status of EA pin affect the access to internal
and external program memory?
18) State the difference between RET and RET1 instruction in 8051.
19) What are register banks in 8051 microcontroller?
20) Differentiate RRA and RRCA instruction in 8051 microcontroller.
21) Draw the format of PSW of 8051.
22) What is SFR?
23) How does 8051 differentiate between external and internal program memory?
24) What is the function of GATE bit in the TMOD register of 8051?

EC6504 MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCONTROLLER

Question Bank

25) Explain the function of following pins of 8051

microcontroller. a. PSEN b. EA
26) What are the addressing modes supported by 8051?
27) Which of the following are illegal?
A] ADD R3, #50H B] ADD A, #50H C] ADD R7, R4H D] ADD A,#255H E] ADD A ,R5H

PART B
Draw the data memory structure of 8051 microcontroller and explain.
1) [8]
[i] Draw the functional block diagram of 8051 microcontroller and
2) explain each block.
[8]
Draw the pin diagram of 8051 Microcontroller and explain the Input
3) /Output lines in
detail.[8]
4) [i] Describe the 8051 I/O port structure.[6]
[ii] Explain the internal and external data memory organization of
8051.[10]
5) Describe the functions of the signals present in 8051.[10]
Explain the internal data memory structure of 8051 microcontroller
6) with its SFRs. [8]
Draw the architectural block diagram of 8051 microcontroller and
7) explain. [8]

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8) Explain the features of 8051 microcontroller and compare it

with 8086 microprocessor. Write short notes on register set
of 8051 micro controller.

9) Bring out the features of Special Function Registers of 8051 microcontroller.

10) With a neat sketch of a Schematic diagram, explain the functions
of various signals of 8051.
11) [i]Draw and explain the functions of bits in TMOD and TCON
registers of 8051.[10] [ii]Explain how 8051 distinguishes between
internal and external ROMs.[6]

12) [i]Explain the architecture of 8051.

[ii]Write a program to find the number of positive and negative numbers in an array.
13) [i] Write a program to generate Fibonacci series.
[ii] Write a program to find out the smallest number in an array.

UNIT V - INTERFACING MICROCONTROLLER

PART A
1) What is the necessity to interface DAC with microcontroller?
What is difference between watch dog timer and ordinary
2) timer?
3) What is the need for de-bouncing the keyboard?
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

What is the use of Vref pin in the ADC?

How do you calculate baud rate for serial communication for 8051?
Draw the interfacing diagram of LCD with 8051 controller.
Sketch the control word for Programmable timer.
Write about DMA controller.
Write the BSR control word of 8255 to set bit 0 of port C

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10) Define PPI.

11) Write the various interrupts supported by 8051 with priority level and vector address
12) Draw the data format used while asynchronous serial data
transmission/reception is done using 8251.

EC6504 MICROPROCESSOR AND MICROCONTROLLER

Question Bank

13) What is the internal operating frequency of the 8279? How can
you derive it from any available clock signal?
14) Draw the command word format for 8251.
15) Specify the bit of a control word for the 8255.Which differentiates
between I/O mode and BSR mode?
16) Specify the two types of serial communication.

PART B
How to interface an LCD display with microcontroller? Explain how to
1) display a
character using LCD display. [8]
Explain the interrupt structure of 8051 microcontroller with suitable
2) diagrams. [8]
[i] Vin=2.25 V, Vref=5V, Number of data lines are 5. Convert the given
3) analog quantity
into its equivalent output digital quantity. [8]
[ii] Explain the different techniques to convert a digital quantity into
its equivalent
analog quantity. [8]
[i] How do you interface 8051 microcontroller with keyboard? Explain
4) in detail.[8]
[ii] How do you interface 8051 microcontroller with an ADC? Explain.
[8]
5) [ii] How a DAC is interfaced with 8051?[6]
6) [i] Explain how an LCD and keyboard is interfaced with 8051.[10]
[ii] Describe about serial port interface of 8051.[4]
7) Discuss briefly about keyboard/display controller.[16]
What is timer/counter? Explain the 16-bit timer mode and 8-bit auto8) reload mode of
8051 microcontroller. [8]
9) [i] How to interface and display an LCD with microcontroller? [8]
[ii] How to transfer data between a PC and microcontroller using serial
communication? Draw the necessary diagrams and explain. [8]
10 [ii] Draw the circuit diagram to interface an LCD with microcontroller
)
and explain how
to display the data using LCD. [8]
11) [i] Draw the circuit diagram to interface a keyboard with
microcontroller and explain how microcontroller recognizes the
key-press. [8]
[ii] Program the on-chip timer in 8051 to be an event counter. Use
model and display the binary count on P1. Set the initial count to be
Zero. [8]
12) Write brief notes on ADC and DAC along with their interface details.[8]
13) Write a program to make the stepper motor to rotate
both clockwise and anticlockwise directions.
14) Write a program to generate the square, triangular and
trapezoidal waveforms using 8051 microcontroller.
15) Write a program to interface a sensor device with 8051 microcontroller.

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