Chapter :- 1

Microprocessor and Microcontroller

Questions
S.K.Mandal[1]
 Multiple-Choice Questions
1.1 The first microprocessor was 1.5 The operating frequency of 8086
(a) 4001 microprocessor is about
(b) 4002 (a) 750 KHz
(c) 4003 (b) 3–6 MHz
(d) 4004 ✅ (c) 5–10 MHz ✅
1.2 The 64-bit processor is (d) 3-6 GHz
(a) Pentium 1.6 The data bus of Pentium II and Pentium III
(b) Pentium II processors is
(c) Pentium III (a) 16-bit
(d) Pentium 4 ✅ (b) 20-bit
(c) 24-bit
1.3 The memory capacity of 8085 (d) 32-bit ✅
microprocessor is 1.7 The first electronic computer was
(a) 64 K ✅ (a) ENIAC ✅
(b) 1 MB (b) EDVAC
(c) 16 MB (c) EDSAC
(d) 640 B (d) Difference Engine
1.4 The address bus of 80186 1.8 More than ten thousand transistors exist in
microprocessor is (a) LSI ICs ✅
(a) 16-bit (b) MSI ICs
(b) 20-bit ✅ (c) SSI ICs
(d) VLSI ICs
(c) 24-bit
(d) 32-bit
1.9 The memory capacity of a Pentium Pro 1.12 A general-purpose microprocessor
microprocessor is requires which of the following devices to
(a) 64 KB operate properly?
(b) 64 MB (a) ROM
(c) 64 GB ✅ (b) RAM
(d) 640 B (c) I/O ports
1.10 Which of the following processors has (d) All of these ✅
an in-built math processor? 1.13 The 8051 microcontroller is a ____ bit
(a) 8086 processor
(b) Pentium-4 ✅ (a) 4-bit
(c) 8085 (b) 8-bit ✅
(d) 8088 (c) 16-bit
1.11 A microcontroller has (d) 32-bit
(a) ROM 1.14 The 8052 microcontroller has
(b) RAM (a) 20 pins for I/O
(c) I/O ports (b) 32 pins for I/O ✅
(d) All of these ✅ (c) 35 pins for I/O
(d) 40 pins for I/O
 Short-Answer Questions
1.1 What is the first microprocessor? Which company built it?
Ans: Intel 4004 by Intel.

1.2 Define SSI, MSI, LSI, and VLSI.

Ans: SSI (Small Scale Integration), MSI (Medium Scale Integration), LSI (Large Scale
Integration), VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration).

1.3 Define microprocessor, microcontroller, and microcomputer.

Ans: Microprocessor is a CPU on a chip. Microcontroller is a CPU with memory and I/O
interfaces. Microcomputer is a small computer with a microprocessor.

1.4 List the features of 8051 and 8052 microcontrollers.

Ans: 8051 has 4KB ROM, 128B RAM. 8052 has 8KB ROM, 256B RAM.

1.5 List the components of a microprocessor and microcomputer.

Ans: Microprocessor includes ALU, CU, Registers. Microcomputer includes
Microprocessor, Memory, I/O devices.
 Review Questions
1.1 Write the difference between microprocessor and microcomputer.
Answer: A microprocessor is a single chip CPU, whereas a microcomputer includes a
microprocessor along with memory, I/O devices, and power supply.

1.2 Explain briefly the genesis of microprocessors.

Answer: The microprocessor evolution started with Intel 4004 in 1971, advancing
through multiple generations with increasing processing power and efficiency.

1.3 What is ALU? Explain the following terms: Registers, Control unit, and Input and
Output devices.
Answer:
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): Performs arithmetic and logic operations.
Registers: Small storage locations within CPU for quick data access.
Control Unit: Directs data flow and execution of instructions.
Input/Output Devices: Allow interaction with the processor.

1.4 Draw the architecture of a microcomputer and explain briefly.

Answer: A microcomputer includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, I/O devices, and a system bus connecting
them.
1.5 Write the comparison between the following processors: (i) 8085 and 8086 (ii)
80286 and 80486 (iii) Pentium II and Pentium 4 .
Answer:
(i) 8085 vs. 8086: 8085 is an 8-bit processor, whereas 8086 is a 16-bit processor.
(ii) 80286 vs. 80486: 80286 is a 16-bit processor, whereas 80486 has integrated cache
and FPU.
(iii) Pentium II vs. Pentium 4: Pentium II is older with lower clock speeds, whereas
Pentium 4 has hyper-threading and higher speeds.

1.6 Give a list of applications of the following processors: (i) 4-bit processors (ii) 8-
bit processors (iii) 16-bit processors.
Answer:
(i) 4-bit processors: Calculators, simple control systems.
(ii) 8-bit processors: Embedded systems, microcontrollers.
(iii) 16-bit processors: Industrial automation, gaming consoles.

1.7 Discuss the evolution of microprocessors and microcontrollers.

Answer: Evolution progressed from simple 4-bit processors to complex multi-core, AI-
integrated processors with advanced architectures.
1.8 What is the major difference between 8051 and 8052 microcontrollers?
Answer: The 8052 has more RAM, ROM, and I/O pins compared to 8051.

1.9 List the applications of microcontrollers.

Answer: Used in automotive systems, medical devices, industrial automation, home
appliances, and robotics.
Microprocessor and Microcontroller
Questions
K.M_Bhurchandi_and_A.K.Ray[2]
1. Draw and discuss the internal block diagram of 8086.
Answer: The 8086 microprocessor consists of two main units: the Bus Interface Unit
(BIU) and the Execution Unit (EU). The BIU handles memory and I/O addressing, while
the EU executes instructions. The block diagram includes components such as
registers, ALU, control unit, and instruction queue.

2. What do you mean by pipelined architecture? How is it implemented in 8086?

Answer: Pipelined architecture allows overlapping execution of multiple instructions
for increased efficiency. In 8086, it is implemented through a 6-byte instruction queue,
where prefetching enables simultaneous fetching and execution.

3. Explain the concept of segmented memory. What are its advantages?

Answer: Segmented memory divides memory into segments (code, data, stack, and
extra). It allows efficient memory management, supports multitasking, and extends
addressable memory using a 20-bit physical address.

4. Explain the physical address formation in 8086.

Answer: The physical address is calculated using the formula: Physical Address =
Segment Address × 10H + Offset Address This allows addressing up to 1MB of memory.
5. Draw the register organization of 8086 and explain typical applications of each
register.
Answer: The 8086 has General-Purpose Registers (AX, BX, CX, DX), Segment Registers (CS,
DS, SS, ES), Pointer and Index Registers (SP, BP, SI, DI), and Flags. Each register serves a
specific function in arithmetic, addressing, and control operations.

6. Draw and discuss the flag register of 8086 in brief.

Answer: The flag register is a 16-bit register containing condition flags (such as Zero,
Carry, and Sign flags) and control flags (such as Direction and Interrupt flags). It helps in
decision-making during execution.

7. Explain the function of the following signals of 8086.

i. ALE viii. M/IO xv. HLDA
ii. DT/R̅ ix. RQ/GT
iii. DEN x. QS₀
iv. LOCK xi. READY
v. TEST xii. NMI
vi. MN/MX xiii. INTR
vii. BHE xiv. HOLD
Answer:-
i. ALE (Address Latch Enable): Used to latch the address on multiplexed address/data
lines.
ii. DT/R̅ (Data Transmit/Receive): Determines data direction in bus operations.
iii. DEN (Data Enable): Enables the transceivers to drive data.
iv. LOCK: Prevents other processors from accessing the system bus.
v. TEST: Used for external wait conditions.
vi. MN/MX: Defines minimum or maximum mode.
vii. BHE (Bus High Enable): Enables high-order data bus during memory access.
viii. M/IO: Differentiates between memory and I/O operations.
ix. RQ/GT: Handles request and grant for bus access in multiprocessor systems.
x. QS₀ (Queue Status): Indicates the status of instruction queue.
xi. READY: Indicates whether a device is ready for communication.
xii. NMI (Non-Maskable Interrupt): Handles high-priority interrupts.
xiii. INTR (Interrupt Request): General-purpose interrupt request.
xiv. HOLD: Indicates external device request for control of the bus.
xv. HLDA (Hold Acknowledge): Acknowledges the HOLD signal.
8. Explain the function of opcode prefetch queue in 8086.
Answer: The 8086 uses a 6-byte instruction queue to prefetch instructions, allowing
faster execution by overlapping fetch and execution cycles.

9. How does 8086 differentiate between an opcode and instruction data?

Answer: The instruction decoder in the Execution Unit (EU) interprets the opcode, while
operands are fetched from memory or registers based on instruction type.

10. Explain the physical memory organization in an 8086 system.

Answer: The 8086 organizes memory into four segments (Code, Data, Stack, and Extra),
each of 64KB, forming a 1MB addressable space.

11. What is the maximum memory addressing and I/O addressing capability of 8086?
Answer: The 8086 can address up to 1MB of memory and has 64KB of I/O addressing
space.

12. Draw and discuss the read and write cycle timing diagrams of 8086 in minimum
mode.
Answer: The timing diagram shows control signals like ALE, RD̅, WR̅, and data flow
during read/write operations in minimum mode.
13. Draw and discuss the read and write cycle timing diagram of 8086 in maximum
mode.
Answer: In maximum mode, additional signals like S₂, S₁, and S₀ control bus arbitration.

14. From which address does the 8086 start execution after reset?
Answer: Execution starts from address FFFF0H in the BIOS ROM.

15. How will you synchronize an external phenomenon like energizing a relay with a
program segment execution?
Answer: By using an interrupt-driven mechanism or polling an I/O port.

16. Draw and discuss a typical minimum mode 8086 system.

Answer: Minimum mode uses a single processor configuration with control signals like
ALE, RD̅, WR̅, and DEN.

17. Draw and discuss a typical maximum mode 8086 system. What is the use of a bus
controller in maximum mode?
Answer: In maximum mode, the bus controller 8288 manages control signals for
multiprocessing environments.
18. Bring out the architectural and signal differences between 8086 and 8088.
Answer: The 8088 has an 8-bit data bus, while 8086 has a 16-bit data bus. Some control
signals also differ.

19. What may be the reason for developing an externally 8-bit processor like 8088 after
the 8086, when a 16-bit processor had already been introduced?
Answer: To reduce cost and maintain compatibility with existing 8-bit peripherals.

20. Explain the signal SS₀ of 8088.

Answer: SS₀ indicates whether the current cycle is a memory or I/O operation in
minimum mode.

21. Compare the bus interface of 8085 with 8088.

Answer: The 8085 has a 8-bit data bus, while 8088 has a multiplexed 8-bit data bus.

22. Draw and discuss a typical minimum mode 8088 system.

Answer: The minimum mode 8088 system has control signals like ALE, RD̅, WR̅, and INTR.
23. Draw and discuss a typical maximum mode 8088 system.
Answer: The maximum mode 8088 system uses a bus controller for control signal
generation.

24. Draw and discuss a general 8088 system timing diagram.

Answer: The timing diagram shows address/data multiplexing and control signal
sequencing.

25. What are the functions of the clock generator IC 8284, in the 8086/8088 systems?
Answer: The 8284 generates the clock signal and synchronizes the RESET and READY
signals for proper system operation.