Dr. N. Karuppiah & Dr. S.
Ravivarman
Ao:A high on the Ao line indicates the transfer of a command or status
information. A low on this line indicates the transfer of data. This is used to
select one of the internal registers of 8279.
RD, WR:(Input/Output) READ/WRITE input pins enable the data buffer to
receive or send data over the data bus.
IRQ:This interrupt output line goes high when there is data in the FIFO
sensor RAM. The interrupt line goes low with each FIFO RAM read-operation.
However, if the FIFO RAM further contains any Key-code entry to be read by the
CPU, this pin again goes high to generate an interrupt to the CPU.
Vss, Vcc:These are the ground and power supply lines for the circuit.
SL0-SL3 – Scan Lines:These lines are used to scan the keyboard matrix and
display digits. These lines can be programmed as encoded or decoded, using the
mode control register.
RL0-RL7 – Return Lines:These are the input lines which are connected to
one terminal of keys, while the other terminal of the keys is connected to the
decoded scan lines. These are normally high,but pulled low when a key is
pressed.
SHIFT:The status of the Shift input line is stored along with each key code
in FIFO in the scanned keyboard mode. Till it is pulled low with a key closure it
is pulled up internally to keep it high.
CNTL/STB-CONTROL/STROBED I/P Mode:In the Keyboard mode, this
line is used as a control input and stored in FIFO on a key closure. The line is a
strobe line that enters the data into FIFO RAM, in the strobed input mode. It has
an internal pull up. The line is pulled down with a Key closure.
BD – Blank Display:This output pin is used to blank the display during
digit switching or by a blanking command.
OUTA0 – OUTA3 and OUTB0 – OUTB3:These are the output ports for two
16x4 (or one 16 x 8) internal display refresh registers. The data from these
lines is synchronized with the scan lines to scan the display and keyboard. The
two 4-bit ports may also be used as one 8-bit port.
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