Organized Question Types (Microprocessor and Interfacing Techniques)

I. Theory/Descriptive Questions (Explain, Discuss, Enlist, Differentiate, Describe)

These questions require explanations of concepts, architectures, instructions, working

principles, types, merits/demerits, or differentiations between related terms.

8085/8086 Architecture & Components:

Explain the architecture of 8086 microprocessor. (04 - July 2019)
Discuss a brief overview of working of 8259 and describe its functional pin diagram.
(03 - July 2023)
Explain with example: DAD, LHLD, CALL instructions of 8085. (06 - July 2023)
Discuss with example SIM and RIM instructions of 8085. (03 - July 2023)
Explain the S1 and S0 pins of the 8085 microprocessor. (02 - May 2025)
Explain the use of BRE along with A8 pin of the 8086 microprocessor. (02 - May 2025)
Describe the importance of bus interface unit (BIU) and execution unit (EU) the 8086
microprocessor. (03 - May 2025)
Explain with example: PUBLIC and EXTRN, CALL to FAR procedure, CMPS and SAHF
instructions in 8086. (08 - May 2025)
Discuss with example LAA, AAA, IMUL and DIV-instructions of 8086. (04 - Feb 2024)
Explain with example any two string manipulation instructions of 8086. (03 - Feb
2024)
Enlist priority of interrupts in 8086. Discuss with example any one software interrupt
of 8086. (04 - Feb 2024)
Explain with example machine cycles, the registers involved, and total number of
clock cycles involved in the fetching and execution of the following 8085
instructions: (i) STA 4210H, (ii) DCR B (04 - July 2024)
Distinguish (with example) between JMP 2525 and CALL 2525H (ii) SIM and RIM. (04 -
July 2024)
Describe the effects on flags when the following instructions are executed. (03 - July
2024)
Explain the use of BRE along with A8 pin of the 8086 microprocessor. (02 - July 2023)
Describe the importance of Bus Interface Unit (BIU) and Execution Unit (EU) the
8086 microprocessor. (03 - July 2023)
Explain with example PUBLIC and EXTRN, CALL to FAR procedure, CMPS and SAHF
instructions in 8086. (08 - July 2023)
Explain with example DAD, LHLD, CALL instructions of 8085. (06 - July 2023)
Discuss with example SIM and RIM instructions of 8085. (03 - July 2023)
Explain with example DAD, LHLD, XTHL instructions of 8085. (04 - Dec 2019)
Explain with example SIM and RIM instructions of 8085. (03 - Dec 2019)
Explain the type of numbers that can be displayed at the output port. (02 - Dec 2019)
Explain the following function of the following program. (03 - Dec 2019)
Explain with example DAD, LHLD, XTHL instructions in 8085. (04 - May 2023)
Explain with example SIM and RIM instructions in 8085. (03 - May 2023)
Interrupts & Interrupt Controllers (8259, 8085, 8086):
Explain the use of 8085 Interrupt Priority Structure. Describe action taken when
8085 interrupts occurs and explain in detail type-4 interrupt of 8086. (03 - July
2024)
Enlist priority of interrupts in 8086. Discuss with example any one software interrupt
of 8086. (04 - July 2024)
Explain interrupt response of 8085 with 8259 programmable interrupt controller
(PIC). Discuss all OCWs of 8259. (05 - July 2019)
Explain interrupt response of 8085 with 8259 programmable interrupt controller
(PIC). Discuss all OCWs of 8259. (04 - Feb 2020)
Explain with example interrupt priority of 8086. Discuss with example any one
software interrupt of 8086. (04 - May 2023)
Enlist various conditional CALL instructions of the 8085 microprocessor. Discuss
with example three different conditional CALL instructions. (04 - May 2025)
What is an ISR? Differentiate between a Subroutine and an ISR. (03 - May 2025)
Discuss following for 8259A: ICW4, Specially Fully Nested Mode. (04 - May 2025)
Explain with example hardware circuit to generate RST 4 instruction of 8085. (03 -
May 2025)
Explain with example hardware circuit to generate opcode of RST 5 of 8085. (02 - Feb
2024)
What is an ISR? Differentiate between a Subroutine and an ISR. (03 - May 2023)
Enlist various conditional CALL instructions of the 8085 microprocessor. Discuss
with example three different conditional CALL instructions. (04 - May 2023)
Discuss following for 8259A: ICW4, Specially Fully Nested Mode. (04 - May 2023)
Explain with example hardware circuit to generate RST 4 instruction of 8085. (03 -
May 2023)
Explain Interrupt response of 8085 with 8259 programmable interrupt controller
(PIC). Discuss all OCWs of 8259. (04 - July 2023)
Explain interrupt response of 8085 with 8259 programmable interrupt controller
(PIC). Discuss all OCWs of 8259. (04 - July 2023)
Explain priority of interrupts in 8086. Discuss with example any one software
interrupt of 8086. (04 - July 2023)
Explain with example XTHL instructions in 8085. (03 - July 2023)
Explain with example MOV, CMP instructions of 8086. (03 - July 2023)
Explain with example PUSH & POP, CALL & RET in 8085. (04 - Feb 2020)
Explain Interrupt response of 8085 with 8259 programmable interrupt controller
(PIC). Discuss all OCWs of 8259. (04 - Feb 2020)
Enlist priority of interrupts in 8086. Discuss with example any one software interrupt
of 8086. (04 - Feb 2020)
Explain ADD BYTE PTR [DI], 3 (ii) SBB BYTE PTR [DI],5 (iii) CMP [DI], CH (06 - Feb
2020)
Explain (DIV SI). (04 - Feb 2020)
Explain with example macro vs subroutine in 8086. (03 - Feb 2020)
Explain in detail type-2 and type-4 interrupts of 8086. (04 - July 2019)
Explain with example LHLD, XTHL instructions in 8085. (04 - July 2019)
Explain with diagram RST-6 as software Interrupt in 8085. (03 - July 2019)
Discuss a brief overview of working of 8279 keyboard/display interface and describe
its functional pin diagram. (03 - May 2023)
Explain with example XTHL, SPHL, PCHL instructions of 8085. (03 - May 2023)
 Explain with example SIM, RIM instructions of 8085. (03 - May 2023)
Explain Interrupt priority of 8086. Discuss with example any one software interrupt
of 8086. (04 - May 2023)
Enlist priority of interrupts in 8086. Discuss with example any one software interrupt
of 8086. (04 - July 2023)
Explain with example LHLD, SPHL, and XTHL instructions in 8085. (03 - Feb 2024)
Memory/I/O Interfacing & Devices (8085, 8086, 8255, 8279):
How will the multiplexed address/data bus (AD0-AD7) of the 8085 microprocessor be
demultiplexed? Explain with clear diagram. (03 - May 2025)
Differentiate between memory-mapped I/O and peripheral-mapped I/O. (03 - May
2025)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 24K
ROM using 8KX4 IC and 4K RAM using 2KX4 IC and I/O interfacing with two 8253s
using single 3 to 8 decoder with suitable start addresses. (05 - May 2025)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 12K
ROM using 4KX4 IC and 2K RAM using 1KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with two 8255s
using single 3 to 8 decoder with suitable start addresses. (04 - May 2023)
Design and Explain Multiplexed Scan Display for displaying CS20 using 8085 and
8255. Assume suitable port addresses and write complete routine for the same. (04 -
May 2023)
Enlist the merits and demerits of absolute decoding and partial decoding. (02 - May
2023)
Draw and explain 8255 Mode-1 (output) with control and status signals. (03 - May
2023)
Design an I/O interfacing circuit using 8253 to have PortA address as FCH. Write 8085
ALP to generate square wave of 1ms time period using PortA of 8255. Assume clock
frequency of 2MHz. (03 - May 2023)
Provide a brief overview of working of 8259 and describe its functional pin diagram.
(03 - May 2023)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 8K ROM
using 2KX4 IC and 2K RAM using 1KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with two 8253s using
single 3 to 8 decoder with suitable start addresses. (04 - July 2023)
Design and Explain Multiplexed Scan Display for displaying CS20 using 8085 and
8255. Assume suitable port addresses and write complete routine for the same. (04 -
July 2023)
Enlist the merits and demerits of absolute decoding and partial decoding. (02 - July
2023)
Draw and explain 8255 Mode-1 and 5 with signals. (03 - July 2023)
Design an I/O interfacing circuit using 8253 to have PortA address as FCH. Write 8085
ALP to generate square wave of 1ms time period using PortA of 8255. Assume clock
frequency of 2MHz. (03 - July 2023)
Draw and explain 8255 Mode-1 and 5 with signals. (03 - July 2023)
Design an I/O interfacing circuit using 8253 to have PortA address as FCH. Write 8085
ALP to generate square wave of 1ms time period using PortA of 8255. Assume clock
frequency of 2MHz. (03 - July 2023)
 Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 2K ROM
using 1024X4 IC and 4K RAM using 2KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with two 8255 using
single 3 to 8 decoder with suitable start addresses. (04 - July 2019)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 2K ROM
using 1024X4 IC and 4K RAM using 2KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with two 8255 using
single 3 to 8 decoder with suitable start addresses. (05 - Feb 2020)
Draw and explain diagram mode 1 and mode 3 of 8253. (03 - Feb 2020)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 16K
ROM using 4KX4 IC and 4K RAM using 2KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with one 8255 using
single 3 to 4 decoder with suitable start addresses. (04 - Feb 2024)
Draw and explain timing diagram of OUT instruction of 8085. (03 - Feb 2024)
Draw and explain 8255 Mode-1 with control signals. (03 - Feb 2024)
Describe mode 3 of 8253. Design an I/O interfacing circuit using 8253 to have
Counter0 address as FCH. (03 - Feb 2024)
Draw and explain internal block diagram of 8279. (03 - Feb 2024)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 16K
ROM using 4KX4 IC and 4K RAM using 2KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with one 8255 using
single 3 to 4 decoder with suitable start addresses. (04 - July 2024)
Draw and explain timing diagram of OUT instruction of 8085. (03 - July 2024)
Draw and explain 8255 Mode-1 with control signals. (03 - July 2024)
Describe mode 3 of 8253. Design an I/O interfacing circuit using 8253 to have
Counter0 address as FCH. (03 - July 2024)
Draw and explain internal block diagram of 8279. (03 - July 2024)
Draw and explain functional block diagram of 8259A. (03 - July 2024)
Draw and explain functional block diagram of 8253. Draw and explain with diagram
mode1 and mode 3 of 8253. (04 - July 2024)
Design a system (both hardware and software) using 8086 that will cause four
common anode LEDs connected with PC3 to flash 10 times when a push button (PB)
switch connected with PA0 is pressed. Use the 8255 to interface the LEDs and PB
switch. Assume delay of 0.1 second is available. Design I/O programming (using 8255
encoder and appropriate gates) such that the port addresses 0040H, 0042H, 0044H,
and 0046H are assigned to port A, port B, port C and the control register of 8255,
respectively. (04 - Dec 2019)
Describe mode 3 of 8253. Design an I/O interfacing circuit using 8253 to have
Counter0 address as FCH. (03 - Feb 2024)
Draw and explain internal block diagram of 8279. (03 - Feb 2024)
General Concepts/Miscellaneous:
State different methods of passing parameters to a procedure and give advantages
and disadvantages of each method. (04 - July 2019)
State different methods of passing parameters to a procedure and give advantages
and disadvantages of each method. (04 - Feb 2020)
Enlist different parameter passing techniques of 8086 and discuss any one
technique with example. (06 - Feb 2020)
Discuss with timing diagram mode-1 and mode-4 of 8253/54. (04 - May 2025)
In mode 2 of 8253/54, when the counter is programmed with a count of 1, why does
OUT remain high and never go low? (04 - May 2025)
 Draw and explain Block diagram of 8086 architecture. (04 - July 2019)
Draw and explain bidirectional communication between two computers using the
8255A. (03 - Feb 2020)
Draw and explain bidirectional communication between two computers using the
8255A. (03 - Dec 2019)
Discuss the effects on flags when the following instructions are executed: B=00H,
C=9CH (i) DCR C (ii) ADD B (iii) RAL. (03 - July 2024)
Compare two-key lockout and N-key rollover modes of operation of 8279. (04 - May
2025)
Compare two-key lockout and N-key rollover modes of operation of 8279. (04 - May
2023)

II. Assembly Language Programming (ALP) Questions (Write ALP, Convert, Store, Find)

These questions require writing assembly language programs or performing operations

related to data manipulation using ALP.

Data Manipulation/Conversions:
Write 8085 assembly language program (ALP) to generate a Fibonacci number (in
Decimal locations starting from location 4000H using a Q3. (03 - May 2023)
Write 8085 ALP to convert an 8-digit packed BCD number stored in locations 4000H
to 4003H to equivalent binary number. Store the result in locations 4004H to 4007H.
(02 - May 2023)
Write an 8085 ALP to count zero, negative, and positive numbers in the given set of
04 signed data bytes stored at 4050H onwards. Use suitable addresses to store the
results. (04 - July 2019)
Write an 8085 ALP to implement 16 by 8 division by using shift and subtract method.
Use suitable addresses to store the results. (05 - Feb 2020)
Write a commented 8085 Assembly Language Programme (ALP) for the following:
to generate a 1 second delay using software delay technique, if the crystal
frequency is 6 MHz. (04 - May 2025)
an array of ten data bytes is stored on memory locations 2100H onwards. Write an
ALP to find the bytes having complemented nibbles (e.g. 2DH, 3CH, 78H etc.) and
store them on a new array starting from memory locations 2200H onwards. (04 -
May 2025)
an array of twenty data bytes is stored on memory locations 4100H onwards.
Write an ALP to remove the duplicate entries from the array and store the
compressed array on a new array starting from memory locations 4200H
onwards. (04 - May 2025)
Write 8085 assembly language program (ALP) to generate sum of sixteen 16-bits
numbers, which may result into 24 bits results. The 16-bits numbers are stored (in
LSB to MSB order) at locations starting from location 4000H onwards, store the
result at 5000H onwards. (04 - July 2023)
Write a commented 8086 Assembly Language Programme (ALP) for the following:
to find and replace a word with other word for the line entered through keyboard.
Implement macro to enter the word and/o: line. Implement procedure to find and
 replace. Display both the lines and messages accordingly using macro. (04 - May
2025)
to generate N (8-bits) numbers of Fibonacci Series using recursive procedure.
Implement procedure to display the 8-bits numbers of the series. Display
messages accordingly using macro. (05 - May 2025)
Write 8085 assembly language program (ALP) to generate sixteen 16-bits numbers,
which may result into 24 bits results. The 16-bits numbers are stored (in LSB to MSB
order) at locations starting from location 4000H onwards, store the result at 5000H
onwards. (04 - July 2023)
Write an 8086 ALP to convert Binary to unpacked BCD conversion for the set of
sixteen 8-bits numbers stored at 4000H onwards. Store the results at 4500H
onwards. Implement subroutine to perform code conversion. (04 - Dec 2019)
Write 8085 assembly language program (ALP) to search a byte in 16-byte array.
Assume byte is FFH and will exist once, if it is present. Store the corresponding
memory address at memory location 9300H and 9301. The starting address of array
is 9200H. (03 - Feb 2024)
Write 8085 assembly language program (ALP) to add 2 arrays and generate a third
array of results. The array consists of 16 bytes of data. Array 1 starts from 9100H
onwards and array 2 starts from 9200H onwards and the result array 3 should start
from 9300 onwards. Addition should be performed as follows: first element of array 1
with array 2 (discarding carry if produced). Store the result in array 3 and so on up to
the end. (04 - Feb 2024)
Write an 8086 ALP to enter N (16-bits) numbers through keyboard using macro. Use
procedure to count all the even numbers in the list of N 16-bits numbers. Store the
result at an offset 2400H. (06 - July 2024)
Write an 8086 ALP to check for palindrome for the string entered using macro
through keyboard. Store 01 at an offset 2500H if the string is palindrome otherwise
store 00. (04 - July 2024)
Write 8086 Assembly Language Program (ALP) using macros: i. to read a character
from module-1(file1.asm) ii. to display a character in module-2(file2.asm) iii. to read a
string of characters from the keyboard using the above two modules iv. to read a
string of characters from the keyboard by the carriage return and print the string on
the display in the next line. (08 - Dec 2019)
Write 8086 ALP to compute nCr using recursive procedure. Assume that 'n' and 'r' is
non-negative integers (8-bits) entered through keyboard. (10 - Feb 2020)
Write 8086 ALP to subtract two 3 x 3 matrix of signed 8 bit numbers. Assume that
each of the elements of the result matrix can be stored in 8 bits. (04 - Feb 2020)
Write an 8086 ALP using macro to enter the string through keyboard and check using
subroutine, whether entered string is palindrome or not? (04 - Feb 2020)
Write 8086 ALP to enter the string from keyboard and perform case conversion
(lower to upper, upper to lower) on the given string using subroutine. (04 - July 2019)
Write an 8086 ALP to check for palindrome for the given line through keyboard.
Implement macro to take line input through keyboard. Implement procedure (i) for
generating the reverse of the given line and (ii) Display output message/s using
macro. (05 - July 2023)
 Write 8086 ALP to reverse the given line through keyboard. Implement macro to take
line input through keyboard. Implement procedure (i) for generating the reverse of
the given line and (ii) Display output message/s using macro. (05 - July 2023)
Specific Instruction Usage:
Write 8085 assembly language program (ALP) to generate a Fibonacci number (in
Decimal locations starting from location 4000H using a Q3. (03 - May 2023)
Name the command word and indicate the contents of the command word that is
required to configure the 8259 for the following operations. Consider this as overall
requirement.
ICW4 is going to be issued.
Single 8259 is to be used in the system.
The address interval is required to be 8 bytes.
The IR-7 requests are to be edge triggered.
The LS byte of interrupt vector address for IR0 to be C0H. (03 - July 2023)
Name the command word and indicate the contents of the command word that is
required to configure the 8259 for the following operations. Consider this as overall
requirement.
ICW4 is going to be issued.
Single 8259 is to be used in the system.
The address interval is required to be 8 bytes.
The IR-7 requests are to be edge triggered.
The LS byte of interrupt vector address for IR0 to be C0H. (03 - July 2023)
Write an 8086 ALP to count the occurrences of the given character in the line
entered through keyboard. Implement macro/s to take line input through keyboard
and also to enter the character. Display the result on screen using display macro. (04
- Feb 2024)

III. Draw and Explain Questions (Diagram-Based)

These questions require drawing block diagrams, timing diagrams, or interface circuits and
then explaining them.

Draw and explain the following registers. (03 - Feb 2020)

Draw and Explain 8086 interrupt architecture diagram. (04 - July 2023)
Draw and Explain 8086 interrupt architecture diagram. (04 - July 2019)
Draw and explain functional block diagram of 8259A. (03 - July 2024)
Draw and explain functional block diagram of 8253. Draw and explain with diagram
mode1 and mode 3 of 8253. (04 - July 2024)
Draw and explain hardware circuit to enable RST 6 when INTR is activated through valid
input signal. Write an 8085 assembly language program (ALP), which display FF at
output port F4H when INTR is activated. (03 - July 2024)
Draw and explain 8 x 4 Matrix keyboard interfacing circuit using 8085, 8255 and other
elements. (06 - July 2024)
Draw and explain functional block diagram of 8259A. (03 - July 2024)
Draw and explain functional block diagram of 8253. Draw and explain with diagram
mode1 and mode 3 of 8253. (04 - July 2024)
 Draw and explain the format of a flag register of the 8086 microprocessor. (03 - May
2025)
Draw and explain diagram mode 1 and mode 3 of 8253. (04 - July 2019)
Draw and explain 8086 internal architecture diagram. (04 - July 2023)
Draw and Explain 8086 internal architecture diagram. (04 - July 2023)
Draw and explain 8086 internal architecture diagram. (04 - July 2023)

IV. Problem-Solving/Application Questions (Calculate, Design, Simulate)

These questions typically involve applying concepts to solve a specific problem, design a
circuit, or determine an output.

Design an I/O interfacing circuit using 8253 to have PortA address as FCH. Write 8085
ALP to generate square wave of 1ms time period using PortA of 8255. Assume clock
frequency of 2MHz. (03 - May 2023)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 12K ROM
using 4KX4 IC and 2K RAM using 1KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with two 8255s using single
3 to 8 decoder with suitable start addresses. (04 - May 2023)
Design and Explain Multiplexed Scan Display for displaying CS20 using 8085 and 8255.
Assume suitable port addresses and write complete routine for the same. (04 - May
2023)
Design a delay subroutine in 8085 for 1 second delay. Show clear calculations for 1 sec.
time delay. Assume 2MHz clock frequency. (03 - Dec 2019)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 8K ROM
using 2KX4 IC and 2K RAM using 1KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with two 8253s using single
3 to 8 decoder with suitable start addresses. (04 - July 2023)
Design and Explain Multiplexed Scan Display for displaying CS20 using 8085 and 8255.
Assume suitable port addresses and write complete routine for the same. (04 - July
2023)
Design and draw complete memory interfacing circuit with 8085 to interface 2K ROM
using 1024X4 IC and 4K RAM using 2KX8 IC and I/O interfacing with two 8255 using
single 3 to 8 decoder with suitable start addresses. (04 - July 2019)
Write a subroutine using 8085 instructions that compares two equal length of blocks of
memory to see whether they are equal or not. Write your subroutine such that the
starting address of block 1 is in HL and block 2 is in DE and the block length is in register
C. when the subroutine is called. If the blocks are identical, have the subroutine return
with carry set. If the blocks differ, have it return with carry cleared and the address of
the first location of block 2 that differs from that of block 1, in HL and the contents of
that location in register B. (04 - May 2025)
Write a subroutine using 8085 instructions that compares two equal length of blocks of
memory to see whether they are equal or not. Write your subroutine such that the
starting address of block 1 is in HL and block 2 is in DE and the block length is in register
C. when the subroutine is called. If the blocks are identical, have the subroutine return
with carry set. If the blocks differ, have it return with carry cleared and the address of
the first location of block 2 that differs from that of block 1, in HL and the contents of
that location in register B. (04 - May 2023)
Summary of Types:

Theory/Descriptive (Most Prevalent): Explaining concepts, architectures, instructions,

working principles. These often require a good understanding of the subject matter and
ability to articulate it clearly.
Assembly Language Programming (ALP): Writing code for specific tasks, conversions, or
data manipulations. These require practical coding skills and knowledge of instruction
sets.
Draw and Explain (Important): Requiring diagrams (block, timing, interfacing circuits)
along with explanations. These assess both conceptual understanding and
visualization/drawing skills.
Problem-Solving/Application (Moderate): Applying theoretical knowledge to design
solutions, calculate values, or analyze scenarios. These often combine multiple
concepts.

This categorization should help you identify patterns in the question papers and prepare
accordingly! If you have more papers or specific questions about any of these types, feel
free to ask.