Do you know about Microprocessors? Where are they used? The reason we need them? How were they developed? If not, before you start with the interview questions, let us know the basics of Microprocessors. In simple words, it is a computer processor where all the logical data processing and controls get integrated. There are a few circuits or sometimes only one small circuit which turns into a Microprocessor. These processors are responsible for the arithmetic, logic, and control functions of a computer. Microprocessors have several uses and are considered multipurpose digital integrated circuits. With the growing capacity and demand for these integrated circuits, it has become crucial to know about them. Now, we have a few interview QnA, for the same, that will help you understand better.
Question 1:
What do you think of Microprocessors?
Answer:
A Microprocessor is a digital integrated circuit inside the CPU of a computer. Its job is to process the input data and deliver the output information.
Question 2:
How does a Microprocessor work?
Answer:
Microprocessors drive-by instruction codes present in the memory. As a device controlled by a program, a microprocessor executes the instructions after decoding them.
Question 3:
Can you name a few flags from Microprocessor 8086?
Answer:
There are several flags in Microprocessor 8086 version. To name them, we have Sign Flag, Direction Flag, Carry Flag, Trace Flag, Auxiliary Carry Flag, Interrupt Flag, Parity Flad, and Overflow Flag.
Question 4:
What do you understand by High Order and Low Order Register in Microprocessor 8086?
Answer:
We call Low Order Register the Flags. At the same time, High Order Register is the other term for Accumulator.
Question 5:
What does the term Program Counter mean?
Answer:
While performing a process, the place that stores the location of the next step for execution is called the Program counter.
Question 6:
Can you state the difference between the interruptions due to signal?
Answer:
We have the Single-level and the Multi-level interrupts based on the signal. We can manage single-level interruptions with single pins, while we need multiple pins for multi-level interruptions.
Question 7:
Is polling necessary for multi-level interrupts?
Answer:
No, polling is not a compulsion in multi-level interruptions. However, single-level interrupts need them.
Question 8:
What do you mean by Tri-state logic?
Answer:
We use three logic levels in microprocessors. They are called high, low, and high impedance states. All of them together make up the tri-state logic.
Question 9:
Why do we use HLT instruction?
Answer:
If you want your microprocessor to enter the halt-state and want the buses to get tri-stated, use HLT instruction.
Question 10:
Differentiate between the hold state and HLT.
Answer:
The difference between hold state and HLT instruction is in terms of buses. When we use HLT, the buses get driven to Tri-state. At the same time, in the case of hold state, buses are not affected. However, in both cases, the processor goes on a hold mode.
Question 11:
What do you understand by the term buses?
Answer:
The component of a microprocessor carrying information from one point to another over the network is called a bus.
Question 12:
Can you name and explain the types of buses?
Answer:
In electronics, we have got three types of buses. They are called address buses, data buses, and control buses.
The address bus carries the memory’s address of the instructions needed to execute a process.
The control bus bears control signals for the microprocessor.
The data bus harbors the data from memory.
Question 13:
Can you explain the microprocessor’s mnemonics?
Answer:
The mnemonics of a microprocessor are the abbreviations and acronyms it uses. They make the codes easy and enhance the microprocessor mesh.
Question 14:
What does the term Macro stand for in a microprocessor?
Answer:
A set of instructions that the microprocessor uses as a single unit or group is called a macro.
Question 15:
Can you explain the memory mapping in terms of microprocessor?
Answer:
When we transfer the logical address space to the physical memory, it is called memory mapping in the microprocessor. It shows that microprocessors can access the external memory easily.
Question 16:
What do you understand by Subroutines in the Microprocessors?
Answer:
Subroutines are a sequential set of programs that can perform a definite task using the given instructional codes.
Question 17:
Name the types of Subroutines.
Answer:
We have the four major types of subroutines in the microprocessors as:
Conditional Instruction with return
Unconditional call Instruction
Conditional call Instruction
Unconditional Instructional return
Question 18:
Which type of Stack system does the Microprocessor 8086 use?
Answer:
The First In First Out kind of stack gets used in the 8086 microprocessor. In this case, the first stored memory gets served the first. We abbreviate First In First Out as FIFO.
Question 19:
What do registers do in a microprocessor?
Answer:
The registers are helpful as they create some temporary storage locations within the CPU.
Question 20:
What are the SIM and RIM instructions?
Answer:
Set Interrupt Mask, aka SIM, masks the hardware interruptions. At the same time, Read Interrupt Mask, aka RIM, checks the masks on the interruptions.