1.

With a neat diagram, show the memory address map of RAM and ROM for a computer system
(Assume 512 bytes )[Apply]

Main Memory
 The main memory is the central storage unit in a computer system.
 Primary memory holds only those data and instructions on which computer is currently
working.
 It has limited capacity and data is lost when power is switched off.
 It is generally made up of semiconductor device.
 These memories are not as fast as registers.
 The data and instruction required to be processed reside in main memory.
 It is divided into two subcategories RAM and ROM.

Memory address map of RAM and ROM

Figure 9.1: Typical RAM chip

Figure 9.2: Typical ROM chip

 The designer of a computer system must calculate the amount of memory required forthe
particular application and assign it to either RAM or ROM.
 The interconnection between memory and processor is then established fromknowledge of the
size of memory needed and the type of RAM and ROM chips available.
 The addressing of memory can be established by means of a table that specifies the
memory address assigned to each chip.
 The table, called a memory address map, is a pictorial representation of assignedaddress space
for each chip in the system, shown in table 9.1.
 To demonstrate with a particular example, assume that a computer system needs 512bytes
of RAM and 512 bytes of ROM.
 The RAM and ROM chips to be used are specified in figure 9.1 and figure 9.2.
  The component column specifies whether a RAM or a ROM chip is used.
 The hexadecimal address column assigns a range of hexadecimal equivalent addressesfor
each chip.
 The address bus lines are listed in the third column.
 Although there are 16 lines in the address bus, the table shows only 10 lines because the other
6 are not used in this example and are assumed to be zero.
 The small x's under the address bus lines designate those lines that must be connected to the
address inputs in each chip.
 The RAM chips have 128 bytes and need seven address lines. The ROM chip has 512 bytes and
needs 9 address lines.
 The x's are always assigned to the low-order bus lines: lines 1 through 7 for the RAM and lines 1
through 9 for the ROM.
 It is now necessary to distinguish between four RAM chips by assigning to each a different
address. For this particular example we choose bus lines 8 and 9 to represent four distinct
binary combinations.
 The table clearly shows that the nine low-order bus lines constitute a memory space for RAM
equal to 29 = 512 bytes.
 The distinction between a RAM and ROM address is done with another bus line. Here we choose
line 10 for this purpose.
 When line 10 is 0, the CPU selects a RAM, and when this line is equal to 1, it selects the ROM.

2 Explain the following [14M][SET-2] July2023 [Understand]

(i)Auxilliary memory (ii)Associative memory

Auxiliary Memory

An Auxiliary memory is known as the lowest-cost, highest-capacity and slowest-access storage in a

computer system. It is where programs and data are kept for long-term storage or when not in immediate
use. The most common examples of auxiliary memories are magnetic tapes and magnetic disks.

Magnetic Disks

A magnetic disk is a type of memory constructed using a circular plate of metal or plastic coated with
magnetized materials. Usually, both sides of the disks are used to carry out read/write operations.
However, several disks may be stacked on one spindle with read/write head available on each surface.

The following image shows the structural representation for a magnetic disk .
 o The memory bits are stored in the magnetized surface in spots along the concentric circles called
tracks.
o The concentric circles (tracks) are commonly divided into sections called sectors.

Magnetic Tape

 Magnetic tape is a storage medium that allows data archiving, collection, and backup for different
kinds of data. The magnetic tape is constructed using a plastic strip coated with a magnetic
recording medium.
 The bits are recorded as magnetic spots on the tape along several tracks. Usually, seven or nine
bits are recorded simultaneously to form a character together with a parity bit.
 Magnetic tape units can be halted, started to move forward or in reverse, or can be rewound.
However, they cannot be started or stopped fast enough between individual characters. For this
reason, information is recorded in blocks referred to as records .

3. A two-way set associative cache memory uses blocks of four words. The cache can accommodate a
total of 2048 words for main memory. The main memory size is 128K X 32

i)Formulate all pertinent information required to construct the cache memory.

ii)What is the size of the cache memory? [7M] June/July 2022[Create]

here total memory :128k * 32bit

here 32 bit is word size =217 words

cache =211 words

tag = log(217/211) =6 bit in direct mapped cache

11-word offset(2) =9 bit index

 index for set associative= log(29 blocks / 2) =8 so bit bit reduced so tag is 6+1=7 bit

7,8,2 should be ans.

4 Describe the characteristics and advantages of Cache memory[7M][SET-1] July2023[Understand]

6 What is cache memory? Explain how it enhances speed of accessing data[7M][SET-2]
July2023[Remember]
Cache Memory
 The data or contents of the main memory that are used frequently by CPU are stored in the cache
memory so that the processor can easily access that data in a shorter time. Whenever the CPU
needs to access memory, it first checks the cache memory. If the data is not found in cache
memory, then the CPU moves into the main memory.
 Cache memory is placed between the CPU and the main memory. The block diagram for a cache
memory can be represented as:

The basic operation of a cache memory is as follows:

o When the CPU needs to access memory, the cache is examined. If the word is found in the cache,
it is read from the fast memory.
o If the word addressed by the CPU is not found in the cache, the main memory is accessed to read
the word.
o A block of words one just accessed is then transferred from main memory to cache memory. The
block size may vary from one word (the one just accessed) to about 16 words adjacent to the one
just accessed.
o The performance of the cache memory is frequently measured in terms of a quantity called hit
ratio.
o When the CPU refers to memory and finds the word in cache, it is said to produce a hit.
o If the word is not found in the cache, it is in main memory and it counts as a miss.
o The ratio of the number of hits divided by the total CPU references to memory (hits plus misses) is
the hit ratio.

Cache Mapping:

There are three different types of mapping used for the purpose of cache memory which are as follows:

o Direct mapping,
o Associative mapping
o Set-Associative mapping
(i)Direct mapping

 The CPU address of 15 bits is divided into two fields.

 The nine least significant bits constitute the index field and the remaining six bits fromthe tag
field.
 The figure 9.6 shows that main memory needs an address that includes both the tag andthe
index.

 Figure 9.6: Addressing relationships between main and cache memories

 The number of bits in the index field is equal to the number of address bits required toaccess
the cache memory.
 The internal organization of the words in the cache memory is as shown in figure 9.7

Figure 9.7: Direct mapping cache organization

 Each word in cache consists of the data word and its associated tag.
 When a new word is first brought into the cache, the tag bits are stored alongside thedata
bits.
 When the CPU generates a memory request the index field is used for the address toaccess
the cache.
 The tag field of the CPU address is compared with the tag in the word read from thecache.
 If the two tags match, there is a hit and the desired data word is in cache.
 If there is no match, there is a miss and the required word is read from main memory.
 It is then stored in the cache together with the new tag, replacing the previous value.
 The word at address zero is presently stored in the cache (index = 000, tag = 00, data =1220).
 Suppose that the CPU now wants to access the word at address 02000.
 The index address is 000, so it is used to access the cache. The two tags are then
compared.
 The cache tag is 00 but the address tag is 02, which does not produce a match.
  Therefore, the main memory is accessed and the data word 5670 is transferred to theCPU.
 The cache word at index address 000 is then replaced with a tag of 02 and data of 5670.
 The disadvantage of direct mapping is that two words with the same index in their
address but with different tag values cannot reside in cache memory at the same time.

(ii)Associative Mapping

 The associative memory stores both the address and content(data) of the memory word.
 This permits any location in cache to store any word from main memory word.
 The fig shows three words presently stored in the cache.
 The address value of 15 bits is shown as five digit octal number and its corresponding 12 bit word is shown
as four digit octal number.
 A CPU address of 15 bits is placed in argument register and associative memory is searched for matching
address.
 If the address is found the corresponding 12 bit data is read and sent to the CPU.
 If no match occurs the main memory is accessed for the word.The address data pair is then transferred to
associative cache memory.

(iii) set-associative mapping

 A third type of cache organization, called set associative mapping in that each word ofcache
can store two or more words of memory under the same index address.
 Each data word is stored together with its tag and the number of tag-data items in oneword
of cache is said to form a set.
 An example one set-associative cache organization for a set size of two is shown in figure 9.8.



  Each index address refers to two data words and their associated terms.
 Each tag required six bits and each data word has 12 bits, so the word length is 2 (6+12)= 36 bits.
 An index address of nine bits can accommodate 512 words.
 Thus the size of cache memory is 512 × 36. It can accommodate 1024 words or main
memory since each word of cache contains two data words.
 In generation a set-associative cache of set size k will accommodate K word of main
memory in each word of cache.
 The octal numbers listed in figure 9.8 are with reference to the main memory contents.
 The words stored at addresses 01000 and 02000 of main memory are stored in cache
memory at index address 000.
 Similarly, the words at addresses 02777 and 00777 are stored in cache at index address777.
 When the CPU generates a memory request, the index value of the address is used toaccess
the cache.
 The tag field of the CPU address is then compared with both tags in the cache to
determine if a match occurs.
The comparison logic is done by an associative search of the tags in the set similar to an
associative memory search: thus the name "set-associative”.
 When a miss occurs in a set-associative cache and the set is full, it is necessary to replace one of
the tag-data items with a new value.
 The most common replacement algorithms used are: random replacement, first-in first-out
(FIFO), and least recently used (LRU).
5. Describe the characteristics of Cache memory. Explain Write-through and Write-back methods.
[7M][SET-2] July2023[Understand]
During a read operation, when the CPU determines a word in the cache, the main memory is not
included in the transfer. Thus, there are two ways that the system can proceed when the operation is a
write.

1. Write Through Method : The simplest method is to update the main memory with every memory
write operation when the cache memory is updated in parallel when it contains the word at the
specified address. This can be known as the write-through method.

2. Write Back Method :

During write operation, only the cache location is updated in the write-back method. Then, the location
is marked by a flag so that it is later copied to the main memory when the word is removed from the
cache. For the write-back method, the reason is that during the time a word remains in the cache, it can
be updated multiple times. Thus, as long as the word remains in the cache, it does not matter if the
copy in the main cache. This is only when the word is displaced from the cache which needs an exact
copy that is rewritten into main memory.

Differentiate Between Write Through and Write Back Methods :

S.No. Write Through Method Write Back Method

In this method main memory is updated with every

memory write operation as well as cache memory is In this method only cache location is
1
updated in parallel if it contains the word at the specified updated during write operation.
address.
S.No. Write Through Method Write Back Method

Main memory and cache memory

2 Main memory always contains same data as cache.
may have different data.

Number of memory write operation in a typical program is Number of memory write operation
3
more. in a typical program is less

When I/O device communicated

When I/O device communicated through DMA would
4 through DMA would not receive
receive most recent data.
most recent data.

It is a process of writing cache and

It is a process of writing cache and main memory
5 data is removed from cache, first
simultaneously.
copied to main memory.


7.Explain the hardware organization of associative memory with a neat block diagram[7M][SET-
1] July 2023[Understand]
 The time required to find an item stored in memory can be reduced considerably if stored data
can be identified for access by the content of the data itself rather than by an address.
 A memory unit accessed by content is called an associative memory or contentaddressable
memory (CAM).
 This type of memory is accessed simultaneously and in parallel on the basis of data
content rather than by specific address or location.


Figure 9.3: Block diagram of associative memory

 It consists of a memory array and logic form words with n bits per word.
 The argument register A and key register K each have n bits, one for each bit of a word.
 The match register M has m bits, one for each memory word.
 Each word in memory is compared in parallel with the content of the argument register.
 The words that match the bits of the argument register set a corresponding bit in thematch
register.
  After the matching process, those bits in the match register that have been set indicatethe
fact that their corresponding words have been matched.
 Reading is accomplished by a sequential access to memory for those words whose
corresponding bits in the match register have been set.
Hardware Organization
 The key register provides a mask for choosing a particular field or key in the argumentword.
 The entire argument is compared with each memory word if the key register contains all1's.
 Otherwise, only those bits in the argument that have 1st in their corresponding positionof the
key register are compared.
 Thus the key provides a mask or identifying piece of information which specifies how the
reference to memory is made.
 To illustrate with a numerical example, suppose that the argument register A and the key
register K have the bit configuration shown below.
 Only the three leftmost bits of A are compared with memory words because K has 1's inthese
position.
A 101 111100
K 111 000000
Word1 100 111100 no match
Word2 101 000001 match
 Word 2 matches the unmasked argument field because the three leftmost bits of the
argument and the word are equal.

Figure 9.4: Associative memory of m word, n cells per word

 The cells in the array are marked by the letter C with two subscripts.
 The first subscript gives the word number and the second specifies the bit position inthe
word.
 Thus cell Cij is the cell for bit j in words i.
 A bit Aj in the argument register is compared with all the bits in column j of the array
provided that Kj =1.
 This is done for all columns j = 1, 2... n.
 If a match occurs between all the unmasked bits of the argument and the bits in word i,the
corresponding bit Mi in the match register is set to 1.
 If one or more unmasked bits of the argument and the word do not match, Mi is clearedto 0.

8.What is a Virtual Memory? Explain the process of converting virtual addresses to physical
addresses with a neat diagram[7M][SET-3] July 2023[Remember]
9.What is virtual memory? How is it realized? Explain its use[7M] June/July 2022[Remember]

Virtual Memory
 A virtual memory system provides a mechanism for translating program-generated addresses
into correct main memory locations.
Address space
An address used by a programmer will be called a virtual address, and the set of such addresses
is known as address space.
Memory space
An address in main memory is called a location or physical address. The set of such locations
iscalled the memory space.

Auxiliary Memory Main Memory 32k=215

Program 1
Data 1,1
Data 1,2 Program 1

Program 2
Data 2,1
Data 1,1
Address space 1024k=210

Figure 9.9: Relation between address and memory space in a virtual memory system

 Supposes a computer which has a main-memory capacity of 64K words (K=1024). 16-bits are
required to specify a physical address in memory because 64K = 216.
 Assume that computer has auxiliary memory for storing information equivalent to capacity of 16
main memories.
 In a multiprogramming computer system, data and programs are transferred to and from auxiliary
memory and main memory based on demands obliged by CPU.
 Suppose program 1 is currently being executed in CPU. Program 1 and a part of its associated data
are moved from secondary memory in the main memory as displayed in Figure
 Parts of programs and data require not being in contiguous locations in memory because
information is being moved in and out and empty spaces may be available in scattered locations in
memory.
 Figure: Memory table for mapping a virtual table

 In our illustration address field of an instruction code will comprise 20 bits however physical
memory addresses should be specified with just 16-bits.
 So CPU will reference data and instructions with a 20 bits address though information at this
address should be taken from physical memory since access to auxiliary storage for particular
words will be prohibitively long.
 A mapping table is then required as displayed in Figure below to map a virtual address of 20 bits
to a physical address of 16 bits.
 Mapping is a dynamic operation that means every address is translated instantly as a word is
referenced by CPU.

Address Mapping Using Pages

The physical memory is broken down into groups of equal size called blocks, which may
range from 64 to 4096 word each. The term page refers to groups of address space of the same
size. Portions of programs are moved from auxiliary memory to main memory in records equal
to the size of a page. The term “page frame” is sometimes used to denote a block.

 Consider a computer with an address space of 8K and a memory space of 4K.

 If we split each into groups of 1K words we obtain eight pages and four blocks as shownin
figure 9.9
 At any given time, up to four pages of address space may reside in main memory in anyone of
the four blocks.
  The memory-page table consists of eight words, one for each page.
 The address in the page table denotes the page number and the content of the wordgive
the block number where that page is stored in main memory.
 The table shows that pages 1, 2, 5, and 6 are now available in main memory in blocks 3,0, 1,
and 2, respectively.
 A presence bit in each location indicates whether the page has been transferred from
auxiliary memory into main memory.
 A 0 in the presence bit indicates that this page is not available in main memory
 The CPU references a word in memory with a virtual address of 13 bits.
 The three high-order bits of the virtual address specify a page number and also an
address for the memory-page table.
 The content of the word in the memory page table at the page number address is readout
into the memory table buffer register.
 If the presence bit is a 1, the block number thus read is transferred to the two high-orderbits
of the main memory address register.
 The line number from the virtual address is transferred into the 10 low-order bits of the
memory address register.
 A read signal to main memory transfers the content of the word to the main memory
buffer register ready to be used by the CPU.
 If the presence bit in the word read from the page table is 0, it signifies that the contentof the
word referenced by the virtual address does not reside in main memory.

10 What is page replacement mechanism? Discuss about LRU algorithms with example [7M]
Dec2022[Remember]

When a page that is residing in virtual memory is requested by a process for its execution, the Operating
System needs to decide which page will be replaced by this requested page. This process is known as
page replacement

Least Recently Used (LRU) Replacement Algorithm

 This algorithm is basically dependent on the number of frames used. Then each frame takes up
the certain page and tries to access it. When the frames are filled then the actual problem starts.
The fixed number of frames is filled up with the help of first frames present. This concept is
fulfilled with the help of Demand Paging
 After filling up of the frames, the next page in the waiting queue tries to enter the frame. If the
frame is present then, no problem is occurred. Because of the page which is to be searched is
already present in the allocated frames.
 If the page to be searched is found among the frames then, this process is known as Page Hit.
 If the page to be searched is not found among the frames then, this process is known as Page
Fault.
 When Page Fault occurs this problem arises, then the Least Recently Used (LRU) Page
Replacement Algorithm comes into picture.
 The Least Recently Used (LRU) Page Replacement Algorithms works on a certain principle. The
principle is:
 Replace the page with the page which is less dimension of time recently used page in the past.
11.Explain about Input-output interface with an example.[7M] June/July 2022[Understand]
I/O interface with example

Input - Output Interface

 Input Output Interface provides a method for transferring information between

internalstorage and external I/O devices.

 Peripherals connected to a computer need special communication links for

interfacing themwith the central processing unit.

 The purpose of communication link is to resolve the differences that exist

between thecentral computer and each peripheral.
The Major Differences are:-

1. Peripherals are electromechnical and electromagnetic devices and CPU and

memory are electronic devices. Therefore, a conversion of signal values may
beneeded.

2. The data transfer rate of peripherals is usually slower than the transfer rate of
CPUand consequently, a synchronization mechanism may be needed.

3. Data codes and formats in the peripherals differ from the word format in the CPU
andmemory.
4 The operating modes of peripherals are different from each other and must be
controlled so as not to disturb the operation of other peripherals connected to theCPU.

 To Resolve these differences, computer systems include special hardware

components between the CPU and Peripherals to supervises and synchronizes all
input and out transfers

 These components are called Interface Units because they interface between the
processor bus and the peripheral devices

I/O BUS and Interface Module

 It defines the typical link between the processor and several peripherals.

 The I/O Bus consists of data lines, address lines and control
lines.
 The I/O bus from the processor is attached to allperipherals
interface.
 To communicate with a particular device, the processor places a device address on
addresslines.

 Each Interface decodes the address and control received from the I/O bus, interprets
them forperipherals and provides signals for the peripheral controller.

 It is also synchronizes the data flow and supervises the transfer between
 peripheral andprocessor.

 Each peripheral has its own controller.

 For example, the printer controller controls the paper motion, the print
timing The control lines are referred as I/O command. The commands
are as following:
 Control command- A control command is issued to activate the peripheral and to
inform itwhat to do.

 Status command- A status command is used to test various status conditions in the
interfaceand the peripheral.

 Data Output command- A data output command causes the interface to

respond bytransferring data from the bus into one of its registers.

 Data Input command- The data input command is the opposite of the data output.

 In this case the interface receives on item of data from the peripheral and
places it in itsbuffer register. I/O Versus Memory Bus
 To communicate with I/O, the processor must communicate with the memory unit.
Like the I/O bus, the memory bus contains data, address and read/write control
lines. There are 3 waysthat computer buses can be used to communicate with
memory and I/O:

i. Use two Separate buses , one for memory and other for I/O.

ii. Use one common bus for both memory and I/O but separate control lines for each.

iii. Use one common bus for memory and I/O with common control lines
I/O Processor
In the first method, the computer has independent sets of data, address and control busesone for
accessing memory and other for I/O. This is done in computers that provides a separate I/O
processor (IOP). The purpose of IOP is to provide an independent pathway forthe transfer of
information between external device and internal memory.
12.What is Asynchronous Data Transfer? Explain any one method to achieve the
asynchronous way of data transfer[7M][SET-3]July 2023[Remember]
15 Explain how Handshaking Asynchronous data transfer is advantageous over strobe
control data transfer[Understand]

Asynchronous data transfer

Data transfer between two independent units, where internal timing in each unit is independent
from the other. Such two units are said to be asynchronous to each other

In this method two typesof techniques are used based on signals before data transfer.
i. Strobe Control

ii. Handshaking

Strobe Signal :

The strobe control method of Asynchronous data transfer employs a single

control line to time each transfer. The strobe may be activated by either the
source or the destination unit.

Data Transfer Initiated by Source Unit:


In the block diagram fig. (a), the data bus carries the binary information from
source to destination unit. Typically, the bus has multiple lines to transfer an
entire byte or word. Thestrobe is a single line that informs the destination unit
when a valid data word is available.

The timing diagram fig. (b) the source unit first places the data
on the data bus. The information on the data bus and strobe signal remain in
the active state to allow thedestination unit to receive the data.

Data Transfer Initiated by Destination Unit:

In this method, the destination unit activates the strobe pulse, to informing
the source to provide the data. The source will respond by placing the
requested binary information on thedata bus.
 The data must be valid and remain in the bus long enough for
the destinationunit to accept it. When accepted the destination unit then
disables the strobe and the source unit removes the data from the bus.

 

Disadvantage of Strobe Signal :
The disadvantage of the strobe method is that, the source unit initiates the
transfer has no wayof knowing whether the destination unit has actually received
the data item that was places inthe bus. Similarly, a destination unit that initiates
the transfer has no way of knowing whetherthe source unit has actually placed
the data on bus. The Handshaking method solves this problem.

Handshaking:

The handshaking method solves the problem of strobe method by

introducing a secondcontrol signal that provides a reply to the unit that
initiates the transfer.

Principle of Handshaking:

The basic principle of the two-wire handshaking method of data transfer is as follow:

One control line is in the same direction as the data flows in the bus from
the source to destination. It is used by source unit to inform the destination
unit whether there a valid data in the bus. The other control line is in the other
direction from the destination to the source. Itis used by the destination unit to
inform the source whether it can accept the data. The sequence of control
during the transfer depends on the unit that initiates the transfer.

Source Initiated Transfer using Handshaking:

The sequence of events shows four possible states that the system can be at
any given time. The source unit initiates the transfer by placing the data on the
bus and enabling its data validsignal. The data accepted signal is activated by
the destination unit after it accepts the data from the bus. The source unit then
disables its data accepted signal and the system goes into its initial state.

Destination Initiated Transfer Using Handshaking:

The name of the signal generated by the destination unit has been changed to
ready for datato reflects its new meaning. The source unit in this case does
not place data on the bus until after it receives the ready for data signal from
the destination unit. From there on, the handshaking procedure follows the
same pattern as in the source initiated case.

The only difference between the Source Initiated and the Destination
Initiated transfer is intheir choice of Initial sate.



Advantage of the Handshaking method:

 The Handshaking scheme provides degree of flexibility and reliability

because thesuccessful completion of data transfer relies on active
participation by both units.

 If any of one unit is faulty, the data transfer will not be completed.
 Such an error canbe detected by means of a Timeout mechanism which
provides an alarm if the data isnot completed within time.

13.Explain about asynchronous data transfer and asynchronous communication
interface [7M][SET-4]July2023[Understand]

Asynchronous Communication Interface:

The block diagram of the asynchronous communication interface is shown above. It

functions both as a transmitter and receiver.

Parts of the Interface :

 The interface is initialized by the help of control bit loaded into the control register.
 The transmitter register accepts the data byte from CPU through data bus which is
then transferred to shift register for serial transmission.
 The serial information is received into another shift register and is transferred to
the receiver register when a complete data byte is accumulated.
 The bits in status register are used to check any errors during transmission and for
input and output flags which can be read by the CPU.
 The chip select (CS) input is used to select interface through address bus.
 The register select (RS) is associated with Read (RD) and write (WR) controls.
 Two registers are read and write only. The register selected is the function of RS
value and RD and WR status as shown in the table below.
Working of the interface :
• The interface is initialized by the CPU by sending a byte to the control register.
• Two bits in the status register are used as flags and one bit is used to indicate
whether the transmission register is empty and another bit is used to indicate
whether the receiver register is full.
Working of the transmitter portion :
• The CPU reads the status register and checks the transmitter. If the transmitter is
empty then CPU transfers the character to transmitter.
• The first bit in transmitter is set to 0 to generate a start bit.
• The parallel transfer of character takes place from the transmitter register to the
shift register.
• The transmitter is then marked empty. The CPU can transfer another character to
transmitter register after checking the flag in status register.
Working of receiver portion :
• The receive data input is in 1-state when line is idle.
• The receiver control monitors the receive data line to detect the occurrence of a
start bit.
• The character bits are then shifted to the shift register once the start bit has been
detected.
• When the stop bit is received, the character is transferred in parallel from shift
register to the receiver register.
• The interface checks for any errors during transmission and sets appropriate bits in
the status register.
• The three possible errors that the interface checks are the parity error, framing
error and over run error.

14.What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous data

transfer?[7M]June/July 2022[Remember]

Features Synchronous Transmission Asynchronous Transmission

Definition It is a type of transmission that It is a form of transmission in

enables synchronized which the transmitter and
communication by sharing a receiver have their own internal
common clock pulse between clocks and hence don't require
the transmitter and the an external common clock
 receiver. pulse.
Basic The transmission begins with It employs the start and stops
the block header, which bits to precede and follow a
contains a bit sequence. character.
Data Unit Data is transmitted as frames in It transmits data one byte at a
synchronous transmission. specific time.
Storage It doesn't require any storage The local buffer storages are
at the terminal end. needed to construct blocks at
both ends of the line in
asynchronous transmission.
Transmission The data transfer rate of The data transfer rate is slow.
speed synchronous transmission is
fast.
Cost It is complicated and costly. It is simple and cost-effective.
Gap between There is no gap between data There is a gap between the data
the data in Synchronous transmission bytes, and it has start and end
due to the common clock pulse. bits between which actual data
is present.
Implementation It is implemented by hardware It is only implemented by
and software. hardware.
Time interval The time delay between two The time delay between two
transmissions is constant. transmissions is random.
Bits The start and stop bits are not The start and stop bits are used
utilized in data transmission. to transmit data with additional
overhead.
Synchronized It doesn't require any It needs synchronized clocks at
clocks synchronized clocks. both ends.
Complexity It is simple and easy to design. It is complex to design.
Band Channels It mainly uses both voice-band It mainly uses voice-band
and broad-band channels. channels that have a limited
type.
Examples Some examples of synchronous Some examples of asynchronous
transmission are Video transmission are emails, letters,
Conferencing, Chat Rooms, and forums, etc.
Telephonic Conversations.

16 Discuss various possible modes of Data transfer to and from the peripherals in a
computer system[7M][SET-2]July 2023[Analyze]

Mode of Transfer:
 The method that is used to transfer information between internal storage and
external I/O devices is known as I/O interface. The CPU is interfaced using
special communication links by the peripherals connected to any computer system
 CPU merely processes the information but the source and target is always the
memory unit. Data transfer between CPU and the I/O devices may be done in
different modes. Data transfer to and from the peripherals may be done in any of
the three possible ways
1 Programmed I/O.
2 Interrupt- initiated I/O.
3 Direct memory access( DMA).

Programmed I/O







 In the programmed I/O method, the I/O device does not have direct access to
memory.
 An example of data transfer from an I/O device through an interface into the CPU
isshown in figure 8.7.
 When a byte of data is available, the device places it in the I/O bus and enables
its datavalid line.
 The interface accepts the byte into its data register and enables the data accepted
line.
 The interface sets a bit in the status register that we will refer to as an F or "flag" bit.
 The device can now disables the data valid line, but it will not transfer another
byte untilthe data accepted line is disables by the interface.
 A program is written for the computer to check the flag in the status register to
determine if a byte has been placed in the data register by the I/O device.
 This is done by reading the status register into a CPU register and checking the
value ofthe flag bit.
 Once the flag is cleared, the interface disables the data accepted line and the
 device canthen transfer the next data byte.
Example of Programmed I/O:
 A flowchart of the program that must be written for the CPU is shown in figure 8.8. 
 It is assumed that the device is sending a sequence of bytes that must be
stored inmemory.
 The transfer of each byte requires three instructions :
1. Read the status register.
2. Check the status of the flag bit and branch to step 1 if not set or to
step 3 if set.
3. Read the data register.
 Each byte is read into a CPU register and then transferred to memory with a
storeinstruction.
 A common I/O programming task is to transfer a block of words from an I/O
device andstore them in a memory buffer.


 

Figure 8.8: Flowchart for CPU program to input data

Interrupt-Initiated I/O :

 In this method an interrupt facility an interrupt command is used to inform the

device about the start and end of transfer. In the meantime the CPU executes other
program. When the interface determines that the device is ready for data transfer it
generates an Interrupt Request and sends it to the computer.
 When the CPU receives such an signal, it temporarily stops the execution of the
program and branches to a service program to process the I/O transfer and after
 completing it returns back to task, what it was originally performing.
 In this type of IO, computer does not check the flag. It continue to perform its task.
 Whenever any device wants the attention, it sends the interrupt signal to the CPU.
 CPU then deviates from what it was doing, store the return address from PC and
branch to the address of the subroutine.
 There are two ways of choosing the branch address:
Vectored Interrupt
Non-vectored Interrupt
• In vectored interrupt the source that interrupt the CPU provides the branch
information. This information is called interrupt vectored.
• In non-vectored interrupt, the branch address is assigned to the fixed address in the
memory.

Priority Interrupt:
• There are number of IO devices attached to the computer.
• They are all capable of generating the interrupt.
• When the interrupt is generated from more than one device, priority interrupt
systemis used to determine which device is to be serviced first.
• Devices with high speed transfer are given higher priority and slow devices are given
lower priority.
• Establishing the priority can be done in two ways:
Using Software
Using Hardware
• A pooling procedure is used to identify highest priority in software means.

Polling Procedure :
• There is one common branch address for all interrupts.
• Branch address contain the code that polls the interrupt sources in sequence. The
highest priority is tested first.
• The particular service routine of the highest priority device is served.
• The disadvantage is that time required to poll them can exceed the time to serve
themin large number of IO devices.

Using Hardware:

• Hardware priority system function as an overall manager.

• It accepts interrupt request and determine the priorities.

• To speed up the operation each interrupting devices has its own interrupt vector.

• No polling is required, all decision are established by hardware priority interrupt unit.

• It can be established by serial or parallel connection of interrupt lines.


The Execution process of Interrupt–Initiated I/O is represented in the flowchart










Explain Priority interrupt and Daisy chain interrupt system with necessary
diagrams[7M][SET-3]July 2023[Understand]

Interrupt-Initiated I/O :

 In this method an interrupt facility an interrupt command is used to inform the

device about the start and end of transfer. In the meantime the CPU executes other
program. When the interface determines that the device is ready for data transfer it
generates an Interrupt Request and sends it to the computer.
 When the CPU receives such an signal, it temporarily stops the execution of the
program and branches to a service program to process the I/O transfer and after
completing it returns back to task, what it was originally performing.
 In this type of IO, computer does not check the flag. It continue to perform its task.
 Whenever any device wants the attention, it sends the interrupt signal to the CPU.
 CPU then deviates from what it was doing, store the return address from PC and
branch to the address of the subroutine.
 There are two ways of choosing the branch address:
Vectored Interrupt
Non-vectored Interrupt
• In vectored interrupt the source that interrupt the CPU provides the branch
information. This information is called interrupt vectored.
• In non-vectored interrupt, the branch address is assigned to the fixed address in the
memory.

Priority Interrupt:
• There are number of IO devices attached to the computer.
• They are all capable of generating the interrupt.
 • When the interrupt is generated from more than one device, priority interrupt
systemis used to determine which device is to be serviced first.
• Devices with high speed transfer are given higher priority and slow devices are given
lower priority.
• Establishing the priority can be done in two ways:
Using Software
Using Hardware
• A pooling procedure is used to identify highest priority in software means.
• Polling Procedure :
• There is one common branch address for all interrupts.
• Branch address contain the code that polls the interrupt sources in sequence. The
highest priority is tested first.
• The particular service routine of the highest priority device is served.
• The disadvantage is that time required to poll them can exceed the time to serve
themin large number of IO devices.

Using Hardware:

• Hardware priority system function as an overall manager.

• It accepts interrupt request and determine the priorities.

• To speed up the operation each interrupting devices has its own interrupt vector.

• No polling is required, all decision are established by hardware priority interrupt unit.

• It can be established by serial or parallel connection of interrupt lines.

Serial or Daisy Chaining Priority:

• Device with highest priority is placed first.
• Device that wants the attention send the interrupt request to the CPU.
• CPU then sends the INTACK signal which is applied to PI(priority in) of the firstdevice.
• If it had requested the attention, it place its VAD(vector address) on the bus. And it
block the signal by placing 0 in PO(priority out)
• If not it pass the signal to next device through PO(priority out) by placing 1.
• This process is continued until appropriate device is found.
• The device whose PI is 1 and PO is 0 is the device that send the interrupt request



Parallel Priority Interrupt :
• It consist of interrupt register whose bits are set separately by the interrupting
devices.
• Priority is established according to the position of the bits in the register.
• Mask register is used to provide facility for the higher priority devices
to interruptwhen lower priority device is being serviced or disable all
lower priority devices when higher is being serviced.
• Corresponding interrupt bit and mask bit are ANDed and applied to priority encoder.

• Priority encoder generates two bits of vector address.

• Another output from it sets IST(interrupt status flip flop).

The Execution process of Interrupt–Initiated I/O is represented in the flowchart

18 Distinguish between Programmed I/O and Interrupt driven I/O[Analyze]

Programmed I/O Interrupt Initiated I/O

Data transfer is initiated by the means of

instructions stored in the computer program. The I/O transfer is initiated by the
Whenever there is a request for I/O transfer the interrupt command issued to the CPU.
instructions are executed from the program.

There is no need for the CPU to stay in

The CPU stays in the loop to know if the device is
the loop as the interrupt command
ready for transfer and has to continuously
interrupts the CPU when the device is
monitor the peripheral device.
ready for data transfer.

The CPU cycles are not wasted as CPU

This leads to the wastage of CPU cycles as CPU
continues with other work during this
remains busy needlessly and thus the efficiency
time and hence this method is more
of system gets reduced.
efficient.

CPU cannot do any work until the transfer is CPU can do any other work until it is
complete as it has to stay in the loop to interrupted by the command indicating
continuously monitor the peripheral device. the readiness of device for data transfer

Its module is faster than programmed

Its module is treated as a slow module.
I/O module.

It can be tricky and complicated to

It is quite easy to program and understand. understand if one uses low level
language.

The performance of the system is severely The performance of the system is

 Programmed I/O Interrupt Initiated I/O

degraded. enhanced to some extent.

19.Draw the block diagram of DMA controller and explain its key
components[7M][SET- 1]July 2023[Understand]
20. Explain in detail about Direct Memory Access in computer system[7M][SE-
4]July2023[Understand]
Direct Memory Access (DMA):

 In the Direct Memory Access (DMA) the interface transfer the data into
and out of the memory unit through the memory bus. The transfer of data
between a fast storage device such as magnetic disk and memory is often
limited by the speed of the CPU. Removing the CPU from the path and
letting the peripheral device manage the memory buses directly would
improve the speed of transfer. This transfer technique is called Direct
Memory Access (DMA).

 During the DMA transfer, the CPU is idle and has no control of the
memory buses. A DMA Controller takes over the buses to manage the
transfer directly between the I/O device and memory.
The CPU may be placed in an idle state in a variety of ways. One common method
extensively used in microprocessor is to disable the buses through special control signals
such as:

(i) Bus Request (BR)

(ii)Bus Grant (BG)

These two control signals in the CPU that facilitates the DMA transfer. The Bus Request(BR)
input is used by the DMA controller to request the CPU. When this input is active, theCPU
terminates the execution of the current instruction and places the address bus, data bus
and read write lines into a high Impedance state. High Impedance state means
that the outputis disconnected.
The CPU activates the Bus Grant (BG) output to inform the external DMA that the Bus
Request (BR) can now take control of the buses to conduct memory transfer without
processor.
When the DMA terminates the transfer, it disables the Bus Request (BR) line. The CPU
disables the Bus Grant (BG), takes control of the buses and return to its normal operation.
The transfer can be made in several ways that are:

(i) DMA Burst

(ii)Cycle Stealing
i) DMA Burst :- In DMA Burst transfer, a block sequence consisting of a
number of memory words is transferred in continuous burst while the
DMA controller is masterof the memory buses.

ii) Cycle Stealing :- Cycle stealing allows the DMA controller to transfer
one data wordat a time, after which it must returns control of the
buses to the CPU.

DMA Controller:

The DMA controller needs the usual circuits of an interface to

communicate with theCPU and I/O device. The DMA controller has
three registers:

i. Address Register

ii. Word Count Register

iii. Control Register

(i)Address Register :- Address Register contains an address to specify the desiredlocation in
memory.

(ii)Word Count Register :- WC holds the number of words to be transferred. The register is
incre/decre by one after each word transfer and internally tested for zero.

(iii)Control Register :- Control Register specifies the mode of transfer

 The unit communicates with the CPU via the data bus and control lines.
The registers in the DMA are selected by the CPU through the address
bus by enabling theDS (DMA select) and RS (Register select) inputs. The
RD (read) and WR (write) inputs are bidirectional.
 When the BG (Bus Grant) input is 0, the CPU can communicate with the DMA
registers through the data bus to read from or write to the DMA registers. When BG
 =1, the DMA can communicate directly with the memory by specifying an address in
the address bus and activating the RD or WR control

DMA Transfer:

 The CPU communicates with the DMA through the address and data
buses as with any interface unit. The DMA has its own address, which
activates the DS and RS lines. The CPU initializes the DMA through the
data bus. Once the DMA receives thestart control command, it can
transfer between the peripheral and the memory.
 When BG = 0 the RD and WR are input lines allowing the CPU to communicate with
the internal DMA registers. When BG=1, the RD and WR are output lines from the
DMA controller to the random access memory to specify the read or write operation
of data.