COE381: MICROPROCESSORS MARKING SCHEAME

Q1 (a). Write explanatory note on general-purpose computers.

As the name suggests general-purpose computers are designed to be as versatile as possible.
They usually consist of a main printed Circuit Board (PCB) referred to as a motherboard. A
microprocessor can be found on this board along with its associated support chipset. In addition,
expansion slots allow more PCBs to be connected to the motherboard. This in turn enables the
computer to perform a huge variety of tasks simply by inserting boards with the desired
capabilities. An example of such a system is a desktop Personal Computer (PC). Since both the
hardware and the software for such systems are mass-produced the total system cost will be
relatively low. The microprocessors in these machines may include additional logic which allows
it to perform certain computational tasks more efficiently or which allows the support chipset to
be simpler by moving some of the chipsets functionality onto the microprocessor chip.
(5marks)
(b) What is a microcontroller?

A microcontroller is a microprocessor-based system which replaces an equivalent random logic

design. The microcontroller may be implemented as a set of chips on a PCB or may consist of
just one single chip. If in the single-chip implementation the microcontroller software can be
programmed into the chip after it has been placed on a PCB then the microcontroller is referred
to as a Programmable In-circuit Controller (PIC).
Microcontrollers do not, in general, require excellent CPU performance or sophisticated software
programs. Consequently, software costs may be moderate and the main cost factor will be the
component count which must be kept as low as possible. A microcontroller may also be placed in
a hazardous environment, may be mobile or may be one of many other microcontrollers in a
given device. As a result, power consumption may also be an important consideration, while
most microcontrollers are fixed and do not offer any means of expansion, there are instances
where microcontrollers may be modified by software means while in service. In addition, some
may be designed for some limited form of hardware expansion.
Hence, the main factor in choosing a microprocessor for a microcontroller will be overall system
chip count, available external interfacing features (I/O lines, ), the number of on-chip support
components (timers, DACs, ADCs, .) and power consumption.
(5marks)

Q2 (a). State the main factors in choosing a microprocessor for general-purpose and highperformance systems.

The main factors in choosing a microprocessor for general-purpose computer will be cost and
speed whereas in a high-performance system the microprocessors instruction set capabilities,
cost, speed, memory range and available software development tools will all require careful
consideration.(4marks)
Q2 (b) Describe the basic microprocessor system architecture.

The fundamental architecture of a microprocessor-based system is depicted below:

Figure 1.2:1 Basic Microprocessor System (2marks for the diagram)

This system is based on a simplified von Neumann architecture. In this architecture both the
instructions which the CPU executes and the data it operates on are kept in a single memory
store. An alternative to this is the Harvard architecture where data and instructions are kept in
separate memory subsystems and operated on via separate physical data paths so that both data
and instructions can be fetched or stored in a single memory operation. The von Neumann
architecture is the most common while the Harvard architecture is employed in specialized
microprocessors and other digital chip subsystems where it provides a performance advantages
over the von Neumann design. Since the von Neumann architecture is the simplest, most
common and most economical basic computer architecture it alone will be studied for the
remainder of the notes.
(4marks)

Q3. Some of the registers have special functions, briefly explain the functions of the
following registers:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

The
The
The
The
The

Memory Address Register (MAR)

Memory Data Register (MDR)
Instruction Register (IR)
Program Counter (PC)
Accumulator (A)

(2marks each)

1. The Memory Address Register (MAR): This register contains the address which is
applied to the external memory array. It is the only way in which an address may be
applied to the memory, which is otherwise isolated from the internal bus of the CPU. It is
required because the address to the memory may come from a number of sources, and
must be kept stable (unchanging) while the memory is read from or written to.
2. The Memory Data Register (MDR): This is the register into which words to and from
the external memory array are transferred. It is used as a temporary storage location for
these words only; the data in the MDR are never manipulated in any way, but only
transferred to another register or to memory. It is a bi-directional register, since it may be
loaded by both the CPU and the memory (unlike the MAR, which is never loaded from
the memory).
3. The Instruction Register (IR): This is the register in which the instruction which is
currently being executed is held. The IR drives the control logic directly; the opcode is
placed in the IR during the fetch cycle, and is thereafter used by the control logic to
generate the subsequent micro-operations to implement the instruction.
4. The Program Counter (PC): This is the register which contains the address in memory
of the next instruction to be executed. It is also known as the Instruction Pointer (IP).
5. The Accumulator (A): the register on which most of the data manipulation (arithmetic,
logic operations) take place. It drives one input of the ALU directly.

Q4 (a). With the aid a diagram give a simple overview of CPU Internal
Structure.

(1mark)

The CPU consists of three main sections;

1. Registers: high speed locations used to store important information during CPU
operations.
2. Arithmetic/Logic Unit: performs operations on operands (stored in registers), for example
the addition of two numbers, and stores the result (in a register).
3. Control Unit: generates all the control signals which control the flow of information
within the CPU and the transfer of data between the CPU and memory and I/O devices.

4. The internal busses of the CPU allow data and control signals to be passed between these units.
(4marks)

(b) Write an assembly language program to find ones complement of an 8-bit number
Ans
Ones complement of an 8-bit number
LDA 2501H
CMA
STA 2502H
HLT.
(6marks)

Q5 (a). Memory devices fall into two basic classes, briefly explain the two basic classes.
1. Volatile: these devices will only retain their contents while power is applied. When
power is first applied, their contents will be indeterminate. Such devices can never be
read-only devices, and are normally called RAM (random access memory, an unfortunate
but persistent acronym) or RWM (read/write memory, an unpronounceable acronym).
(3marks)

2. Non-volatile: A non-volatile device will retain its contents even if power is removed from
the device and then re-applied, until it is overwritten (if this is possible). Such devices are
used to contain the initial instructions that the CPU needs when power is first applied to
the system. Although a non-volatile device is normally read-only and is consequently
called a ROM (read-only memory), some non-volatile devices do exist which may be
written to with varying degrees of ease and speed. Although technically these are also
RAM devices, they are often called ROMs because the operation of writing to the words
is relatively complex and slow compared to reading. They are instead identified by a
letter or letters preceding the ROM (e.g. PROM Programmable ROM, EPROM =
Erasable Programmable ROM, EEROM = Electrically Erasable ROM etc.)(3marks)

Q5 (b). As a computer Systems designer, state the main factors you will consider
when choosing a microprocessor for a microcontroller.

The main factor in choosing a microprocessor for a microcontroller will be overall

system chip count, available external interfacing features (I/O lines, ), the number
of on-chip support components (timers, DACs, ADCs, .) and power
consumption(4marks)

Q6 (a) what is the implications of an 8 bit CPU and a data bus width of 8 bit on the instructions
and the data?(4marks)

(b)What do you mean by external and internal data bus? How are these two related in
8088 processor?
(2)
Ans Internal Data Bus: A bus that operates only within the internal circuitry
of the CPU, communicating among the internal caches of
memory that are part of the CPU chips design. This bus is
typically rather quick and is independent of the rest of the
computers operations. (3marks)
External Data Bus: A bus that connects a computer to peripheral devices.
The 8088 microprocessor has 16-bit registers, 16-bit internal data
bus and 20-bit address bus, which allows the processor address
up to 1 MB of memory. (3marks)