Interview Questions on Embedded

Processors [Part-I]
This post is all about discussion of interview questions on embedded processors [Part-I]. Here
well discuss topics on microprocessor & microcontroller technology. Ive divided article into
two parts. This post covers most of questions based on basics of microprocessor and
microcontroller. I believe this post will be helpful to prepare for an interview of entry level
position.

What is Microprocessor?

Microprocessor is a CPU fabricated on a single chip program controlled device, which

fetched the instructions from memory, decodes and execute the instructions. Three basic
characteristic differentiate microprocessor.

Instruction Set: The set of instruction microprocessor can execute.

Bandwidth: The number of bits processed in a single instruction

Clock Speed: Given in MHz Megahertz, the clock speed determines how many
instructions per second the processor can execute.

In addition to this, microprocessors are classified as being RISC (Reduced Instruction Set
Computer) or CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer).

What are the basic units of Microprocessor?

The basic units or block of microprocessor are ALU, an Array of Registers and control unit.

Give Examples for8/16/32-bit Microprocessor?

8-bit Processors- 8085, Z80, 6800

16-bit Processors- 8086, 68000, Z8000

32-bit Processors- 80386, 80486

64-bit Processors- Intel 64(x64), AMD64, IBM (Power PC), SUN (SPARC).

What are 1st/ 2nd/3rd/4th generation processors?

The processors made of PMOS, NMOS, HMOS, HCMOS technology are called 1st/ 2nd/3rd/4th
generation processors and are made up of 4, 8, 16, 32-bits.

What does microprocessor speed depends on?

The speed of microprocessor depends on various factors such as Data Bus Width (Number of
instruction it processes) and clock speed.

What is Software and Hardware?

The software is set of instruction or commands needed for performing a specific task by
programmable device or a computing machine. The hardware refers to the component or
device used to form computing machine in which software can be run and tested. Without
software hardware is idle machine.

Distinguish between microprocessor and microcontroller?

The microprocessor is a digital integrated circuit that can be programmed with a series of
instructions to perform a specified function on data. The microcontroller is tiny little
computer on single integrated circuit, which has memory, input-output on chip itself. So we
can say microprocessor can perform few functions but microcontroller can perform many
functions.

What are disadvantages of Microprocessor?

Microprocessor has limitation on size of data. Most microprocessor does not support floating
point operation.

What is the difference between microprocessor and microcontroller?

In microprocessor more op-codes, few bit handling instructions but in microcontroller: fewer
op-codes and more bit handling instructions also microcontroller defined as a device that
includes microprocessor, memory and input-output signal lines in a single chip.

What is an Instruction?

An instruction is an order given to a computer processor by a computer program. At the

lowest level each instruction set is a sequence of 0s and 1s that describes a physical operation
that computer is to perform (such as Add) and depending on the particular instruction type,
the specification of special storage areas called registers that may contain data be used in
carrying out the instruction or the location in computer memory of data.

What is clock cycle?

The speed of computer processor is determined by clock cycle, which is amount of time
between two pulses of an oscillator. In general, the higher number of pulses per second the
faster the computer processor will be able to process information.

What is instruction cycle?

The sequence of operation that the processor has to carry out while executing a instruction is
called instruction cycle. Each instruction cycle of processor consist of a number of machine
cycles. The sequence of stages is:

1. Read an instruction.
 2. Decode the instruction.

3. Find the address of operand.

4. Retrieve an operand.

5. Perform desired operation.

6. Find the address of destination.

7. Store the result into destination.

What is machine cycle?

The steps performed by computer processor for each machine language instruction received.
The machine cycle is 4 process cycle.

Fetch: Retrieve an instruction from memory

Decode: Translate the retrieved instruction into series of computer commands.

Execute: Execute the computer command.

Store: Send and write the result back into memory.

Explain the function of CPU in Microprocessor?

A Microprocessor controls all the functions of CPU Central Processing Unit of a computer or
digital device. The microprocessor is programmed to give and receive instructions from other
components of the device. The system can control everything from small devices such as
calculators and mobile phones to large automobile.

What is Register?

In computer architecture, a processor register (or general purpose register) is a small amount
of storage available on the CPU whose contents can be accessed more quickly than storage
available elsewhere. Typically, this specialized storage is not considered part of normal
memory range for the machine. Processor registers are at the top of the memory hierarchy,
and provide the fastest way for a CPU to access data.

What is called scratch pad of computer?

Cache memory is scratch pad of computer.

Why does Microprocessor contain ROM chip?

Microprocessor contain ROM chip because it contain instruction to execute data.

Why status signal is provided in microprocessor?

The status signal can be used by the system designer to track the internal operation of the
processor. Also it can be used for memory expansion (by providing separate memory bank for
program, data and selecting the bank using status signals.

What is programmable peripheral device?

If the function performed by a peripheral device can be altered or changed by a program

instruction then the peripheral device is called programmable device. Usually the
programmable devices will have control registers. The device can be programmed by sending
control word in the prescribed format to the control register.

Explain the working of a handshake output port?

In handshake output operation the processor will load a data to port. When the port receives
the data, it will inform the output device to collect the data. Once the output device accepts
the data, the port will inform the processor that it is empty. Now the processor can load
another data to port and above process is repeated.

What is cache memory?

Cache memory is small high speed memory. It is used for temporary storage of data &
information between main memory and CPU (central processing unit).

Define HCMOS?

High density n-type Complementary Metal Oxide silicon field effect Transistor.

What is Flag?

Flag is flip-flop used to store the information about the status of a processor and status of
instruction executed most recently.

What is NV-RAM?

Non Volatile Read Write memory, also called flash memory. It is also known as shadow
RAM.

What is Direction Flag?

This is used by string manipulation instructions. If this flag bit is 0, the string is processed
beginning from the lowest to highest address i.e. Auto increment mode. Otherwise string is
processed from the highest towards the lowest address i.e. auto decrementing mode.

What is instruction set?

The set of instructions that the microprocessor can execute.

Why address bus is unidirectional?

The address is identification number used by the microprocessor to identify or access a
memory location or IO device. It is an output signal from the processor. Hence the address
bus is unidirectional.

Here is the end of this post. Probably in the next post will see more challenging interview
questions on embedded processors. I hope youll find this post educational. Thanks!!!!