1. Question 1. What Is Microprocessor?

Answer :
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. o Instruction Set: The set of
instruction microprocessor can execute. o Bandwidth: The number of bit’s processed
in a single instruction o 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).

2. Question 2. What Are The Basic Units Of Microprocessor?

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

1. Question 3. Give Examples For8/16/32-bit Microprocessor? Answer :

o 8-bit Processors- 8085, Z80, 6800 o 16-bit Processors-
8086, 68000, Z8000 o 32-bit Processors- 80386, 80486
o 64-bit Processors- Intel 64(x64), AMD64, IBM (Power PC),
SUN (SPARC).

1. Question 4. What Are 1st/ 2nd/3rd/4th Generation Processors? Answer :

The processors made of PMOS, NMOS, HMOS, HCMOS technology are called 1st/
2nd/3rd/4th generation processor’s and are made up of 4, 8, 16, 32-bits.
2. Question 5. What Does Microprocessor Speed Depends On?
Answer :
The speed of microprocessor depends on various factors such as Data Bus Width
(Number of instruction it processes) and clock speed.

1. Question 6. What Is Software And Hardware?

Answer :
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.

1. Question 7. Distinguish Between Microprocessor And Microcontroller?

Answer :
 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.

1. Question 8. What Are Disadvantages Of Microprocessor?

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

1. Question 9. What Is The Difference Between Microprocessor And

Microcontroller?
Answer :
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.
2. Question 10. What Is An Instruction?
Answer :
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.
3. Question 11. What Is Clock Cycle?
Answer :
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.
4. Question 12. What Is Instruction Cycle?
Answer :
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:
o Read an instruction. o
Decode the instruction.
 o Find the address of operand.
o Retrieve an operand.
o Perform desired operation. o
Find the address of
destination. o Store the
result into destination.

1. Question 13. What Is Machine Cycle?

Answer :
The steps performed by computer processor for each machine language instruction
received. The machine cycle is 4 process cycle.
o Fetch: Retrieve an instruction from memory
o Decode: Translate the retrieved instruction into series of computer
commands.
o Execute: Execute the computer command. o Store: Send and write the
result back into memory.
o
2. Question 14. Explain The Function Of Cpu In Microprocessor?
Answer :
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.
1. Question 15. What Is Register?
Answer :
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.
2. Question 16. What Is Called Scratch Pad Of Computer? Answer :
Cache memory is scratch pad of computer.

1. Question 17. Why Does Microprocessor Contain Rom Chip?

Answer :
Microprocessor contain ROM chip because it contain instruction to execute data.
2. Question 18. Why Status Signal Is Provided In Microprocessor? Answer :
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.

1. Question 19. What Is Programmable Peripheral Device?

Answer :
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.
2. Question 20. Explain The Working Of A Handshake Output Port?
Answer :
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.
1. Question 21. What Is Cache Memory?
Answer :
Cache memory is small high speed memory. It is used for temporary storage of data
& information between main memory and CPU (central processing unit).
2. Question 22. Define Hcmos?
Answer :
High density n-type Complementary Metal Oxide silicon field effect Transistor.
1. Question 23. What Is Flag?
Answer :
Flag is flip-flop used to store the information about the status of a processor and
status of instruction executed most recently.
2. Question 24. What Is Nv-ram?
Answer :
Non Volatile Read Write memory, also called flash memory. It is also known as
shadow RAM.
1. Question 25. What Is Direction Flag?
Answer :
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.
 2. Question 26. What Is Instruction Set?
Answer :
The set of instructions that the microprocessor can execute.
1. Question 27. Why Address Bus Is Unidirectional?
Answer :
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 you’ll find this post educational.

1) What is 8051 Microcontroller ?

The Intel 8051 microcontroller is one of the most popular general-purpose

microcontrollers in use today. It is an 8-bit family of microcontroller developed by Intel
in the year 1981. This microcontroller was also referred to as “system on a chip”
because it has 128 bytes of RAM, 4Kbytes of ROM, 2 Timers, 1 Serial port, and four
ports on a single chip. 8051 microcontroller allows CPU to work on 8bits of data at a
time. N case the data is larger than 8 bits then it has to be broken into parts so that the
CPU can process conveniently.

2) What are registers in Microcontroller ?

Register provides a fast way to collect and store data using microcontrollers and
processors. If we want to manipulate data with a controller or processor by
performing tasks like addition, subtraction, and so on, we cannot do that directly in the
memory, in order to perform these tasks, we need registers to process and store the
data. Microcontrollers contain several types of registers that can be classified
according to their content or instructions that operate on them.
The 8051 microcontroller contains mainly two types of registers:
 • General purpose registers (Byte addressable registers)
• Special function registers (Bit addressable registers)

The 8051 microcontroller consists of 256 bytes of RAM memory, which is divided into
two ways, such as 128 bytes for general purpose and 128 bytes for special function
registers (SFR) memory. The memory which is used for general purpose is called as
RAM memory, and the memory used for SFR contains all the peripheral related
registers like Accumulator, ‘B’ register, Timers or Counters, and interrupt related
registers.

3) List Interrupts available in 8051 Microcontroller

• External interrupt 0 (IE0) has highest priority among interrupts.

• Timer interrupt 0 (TF0)
• External interrupt 1 (IE1)
• Timer interrupt 1 (TF1) has lowest priority among other interrupts.
• Serial port Interrupt
• Reset

4) What is stack pointer in 8051 Microcontroller?

In 8051 a stack pointer is 8 bits wide register to access stack.The stack is a section of
RAM used by the CPU to store information temporarily information could be data or an
address.

Generally, 8051 used bank1 of internal RAM as the stack so the default stack pointer
is 07H.The stack is used for PUSH, POP, CALL, RET instructions and work on the
principle of last in first output (LIFO)

5) List some features of 8051 Microcontroller.

Below are the some features of 8051 Microcontroller.

• 64K bytes on-chip program memory (ROM)

• 128 bytes on-chip data memory (RAM)
• Four register banks
 • 128 user defined software flags
• 8-bit bidirectional data bus
• 16-bit unidirectional address bus
• 32 general purpose registers each of 8-bit
• 16 bit Timers (usually 2, but may have more or less)
• Three internal and two external Interrupts
• Four 8-bit ports,(short model have two 8-bit ports)
• 16-bit program counter and data pointer

6) What is an Interrupt service routine in Microcontroller?

When Microcontroller is under sudden interrupt, it will call ISR (Interrupt service
routine) that will store the address of current memory address and takes the control to
new interrupt memory address. After the interrupt, the control will transfer back to its
previous address.

7) What is an interrupt? List various types of interrupts available in 8051

Microcontroller?

Interrupt: An interrupt is a signal to the processor emitted by hardware or software

indicating an event that needs immediate attention. An interrupt alerts the processor
to a high-priority condition requiring the interruption of the current code the processor
is executing.The processor responds by suspending its current activities, saving its
state, and executing a function called an interrupt handler (or an interrupt service
routine, ISR) to deal with the event. This interruption is temporary, and, after the
interrupt handler finishes, the processor resumes normal activities.There are two
types of interrupts: hardware interrupts and software interrupts.(source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrupt)

8) Explain architecture of 8051 Microcontroller?

8051 Microcontroller is based on Harvard Architecture and developed primarily for

use in embedded systems technology.Its architecture consists of following units

• Central Processor Unit (CPU)

• Interrupts
• Memory
 • BUS
• Oscillator
• Input/Output Port
• Timers/Counters

9) What is Address Bus, Data Bus and Control Bus in Microprocessor 8051
?

Address Bus: Address Bus is used for address memory locations and to transfer the
address from CPU to Memory of the microcontroller. Microcontroller 8051 has a 16
bit address bus for transferring the data.8051 have four addressing modes they are

• Immediate addressing modes.

• Bank address (or) Register addressing mode.
• Direct Addressing mode.
• Register indirect addressing mode.

Data Bus: Data Bus is used to transfer data within Microprocessor and Memory/Input
or Output devices. It is bi-directional as Microprocessor requires to send or receive
data. The data bus also works as address bus when multiplexed with lower order
address bus. 8051 has 8 bits of the data bus, which is used to carry data of particular
applications

Control Bus: Control bus manages the information flow between components
indicating whether the operation is a read or a write and ensuring that the operation
happens at the right time.

10) Which interrupt has highest priority in Microcontroller ?

Trap interrupt has the highest priority. A trap is an abnormal condition detected by the
CPU, which indicates an unknown I/O device is accessed, etc.

11) List some 8051 Microcontroller applications in embedded systems ?

The applications of 8051 Microcontroller is involved in 8051 based projects. Below are
the list of 8051 projects .
 • Arduino Managed High Sensitive based Power Saver for Street Light Control
System
• The Temperature Humidity Monitoring System of Soil Based on Wireless
Sensor Networks using Arduino
• RFID based Electronic Passport System for Easy Governance using Arduino
• Arduino based RFID Sensed Device Access
• Arduino based DC Motor Speed Control
• Arduino Based Line Following Robot
• Zigbee based Automatic Meter Reading System
• GSM based Electricity Energy Meter Billing with Onsite Display
• Android Phone Speech Recognition Sensed Voice Command based Notice
Board Display
• Parking Availability Indication System
• Voice Controlled Home Appliances
• Remote Control Home Appliances
• PC Mouse operated Electrical Load Control Using VB Application
• Solar Highway Lighting System with Auto Turn Off in Daytime
• 8051 Microcontroller based Wireless Energy Meter
• Farmer Friendly Solar Based Electric Fence for Deterring Cattles
• Vehicle Movement Sensed Streetlight with Daytime auto off Features

12) What are applications of 8051 microcontrollers?

The constant growth in information technology has provided many benefits of making
use of a microcontroller, integrated circuits, embedded chips, microprocessors, etc.
With these technologies, work is done faster and complexity is reduced. The 88051
microcontrollers are used in electronic and electrical circuits. You can also find its
application in robotics and artificial intelligence.

13) What is the difference between microprocessor and microcontroller?

Microprocessor differs from microcontrollers in different areas. Based on external

peripheral, storage locations like ROM (Read-only memory), RAM (Random access
memory) and EEPROM are embedded in microcontroller while external circuits are
used in the microprocessor. Every peripheral is on one chip but they are bulky in the
microprocessor. The microcontroller is less expensive than microprocessors and
devices manufactured with microprocessors are cheaper too because of the metal
oxide semiconductor technology used. Microprocessors are faster than
microcontrollers.
14) What is a PIC microcontroller?

PIC microcontrollers (Programmable Interface Controllers Microcontrollers) are

programmable circuits that perform many functions. Pic microcontroller can be
programmed to function as a timer, production line controller and other tasks. You can
see programmable interface controllers in applications such as computer control
systems, electronic phones, alarm systems, and every other electronic device. PIC
controllers exist in different types though ones found in the GENIE range are
considered as the best and they are cheap to buy.

15) What is the use of PIC microcontroller?

There are different uses of the programmable interface controller. Some of the
applications are video games, peripherals, audio accessories and many more. Since
this circuit is programmable, it can be used for many functions like timer and to
control the production line.

16) What is ARM microcontroller?

The ARM microcontroller is considered by many as the most popular microcontroller

existing in the world of the digital embedded system. Many industries prefer to make
use of ARM microcontrollers because of the many exciting features. With ARM
microcontroller, such industries can easily implement high performing products. The
ARM microcontroller is cost-sensitive and its applications range to sensors, wireless
networking, automotive body system, and others.

17) Where ARM chips are used?

Arm processors or chips are used in different electronic applications or devices.

Devices, where the ARM chips are used, include tablets, multimedia players,
smartphones, wearables, and other mobile devices. Arm chips need little transistors
because of their instruction set. The use of ARM chips to the devices mentioned
above and those not mentioned will keep on increasing because of the small size, little
consumable power, and reduced complexity.
18) List some 8051 microcontroller interrupts?

There are 5 major sources of interrupt an 8051 microcontroller passes through. An

interrupt is when the microprocessor stops its operation on a present task to look for
signals from another task. It performs its operation on the new task before going back
to the first task. The 8051 microcontroller interrupts are:

• TF0 which stands for Timer 0 overflow interrupt

• TFI which stands for Timer 1 overflow interrupt
• INT0 or External hardware interrupt
• Int1 or External hardware interrupt
• Serial communication interrupt- RI/TI

19) List some microcontroller examples?

There are many examples of the microcontroller. Some of the examples are Altera,
Atmel, Espressif system, ELAN microelectronics Corp., Maxim Integrated, Cypress
Semiconductor, Analog Devices, Intel, Holtek, National Semiconductor, NEC, Freescale
Semiconductor, Fujitsu, Panasonic, Microchip technology, Hyperstone, Infineon,
Parallax, Nuvoton technology, Sony, Toshiba, Spansion, Rockwell, XMOS, Rabbit
semiconductor, Silicon Motion, Redpine signals, Ubicom, Sortable table and many
more.

20) What is a data pointer in 8051 Microcontrollers?

Data pointer in the 8051 microcontrollers is one of the storage registers. Other
storage registers in an 8051 microcontroller are the accumulator, the stack pointer
(SP), R register, B register and the program counter (PC). The Data Pointer in 8051
microcontrollers in short form DPTR is the only 2-byte register a user can access.
Other registers like the B register and accumulator are 1-byte register. This data
pointer just like the name implies is for data pointing. With it, the 8051 can access
memory outside the system.

21) What is embedded Microcontroller?

A microcontroller is an integrated circuit that governs one particular task in an
embedded system. Every typical microcontroller has a memory, a processor and input
and output peripheral all on a single chip. In some cases, it is called an embedded
controller and it is used in vending machines, vehicles, medical devices, home
appliances, robots, and mobile radio transceivers. They are small personal computers
used for controlling small features of a bigger component.

22) List major components of microcontroller?

A microcontroller has many components. Some of the major components of a

microcontroller are Central processing unit(CPU), Input and output ports, Digital
analog converters, Random Access Memory)(RAM), Serial interfacing ports, Read-Only
Memory(ROM), Oscillatory circuits, interrupt controls, Timers and Counters and Analog
to digital converters. Every microcontroller has one or more of the components
mentioned above.

23) What are different types of Microcontrollers?

There are different types of microcontrollers. They include:

• PIC Microcontroller: PIC microcontroller stands for a programmable interface

controller used for developing computer robotics, electronics, and similar
devices. The PIC controller is made up of data bus, dedicated processor and
built-in data memory that plays a role in preparing input and output methods
• ARM Microcontroller: It is more popular than other microcontrollers. The ARM
means Advanced RISC Machine and widely used by industries because of its
unique features. Sensor and wireless networks are some of the devices
produced with ARM microcontrollers.
• 8051 Microcontroller: This is another type of microcontroller develops by Intel
in the year 1981. It has 40 pins and four programmable parallel 8-bit ports.
• AVR Microcontroller: AVR microcontroller is an advanced Harvard architecture
machine. The AVR in full form is Alf and Vegard's RISC Processor.
• MSP Microcontroller: The mixed-signal processor is another type of
microcontroller from the Texas instruments family. It is cost-effective and gives
a good performance in the denser programming code.