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This document discusses interrupts, buses, and bus widths in computer systems. It defines interrupts as mechanisms that allow other modules like I/O devices to interrupt normal processing. It describes different types of interrupts like program interrupts, timer interrupts, and I/O interrupts. It then discusses buses as communication pathways connecting devices and describes system buses that connect major components like the processor, memory, and I/O. It explains that system buses consist of multiple lines for carrying data, addresses, and control signals. Finally, it notes that wider data and address buses improve system performance and capacity, respectively.

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Abdulaziz Tilahun
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14 views12 pages

4

This document discusses interrupts, buses, and bus widths in computer systems. It defines interrupts as mechanisms that allow other modules like I/O devices to interrupt normal processing. It describes different types of interrupts like program interrupts, timer interrupts, and I/O interrupts. It then discusses buses as communication pathways connecting devices and describes system buses that connect major components like the processor, memory, and I/O. It explains that system buses consist of multiple lines for carrying data, addresses, and control signals. Finally, it notes that wider data and address buses improve system performance and capacity, respectively.

Uploaded by

Abdulaziz Tilahun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computer Components:

Top Level View


What is Interrupts?

• Mechanism by which other modules (e.g.


I/O) may interrupt normal sequence of
processing
• Program
—e.g. overflow, division by zero
• Timer
—Generated by internal processor timer
—Used in pre-emptive multi-tasking
• I/O
—from I/O controller
• Hardware failure
—e.g. memory parity error
Multiple Interrupts - Sequential
Multiple Interrupts – Nested
Time Sequence of Multiple Interrupts
What is a Bus?
• A communication pathway connecting two
or more devices
• Often grouped
—A number of channels in one bus
—e.g. 32 bit data bus is 32 separate single bit
channels
• Power lines may not be shown
Bus Structure (system bus)
• A bus that connects major computer
components (processor, memory, I/O) is
called a system bus.
• A system bus consists, typically, of from
about 50 to hundreds of separate lines.
Each line is assigned a particular meaning
or function.
Data Bus
• Carries data
—Remember that there is no difference between
“data” and “instruction” at this level
• Width is a key determinant of
performance
—8, 16, 32, 64 bit
Address bus
• Identify the source or destination of data
• e.g. CPU needs to read an instruction
(data) from a given location in memory
• Address bus width determines maximum
memory capacity of system
—e.g. 8080 has 16 bit address bus giving 64k
address space
• Furthermore, the address lines are
generally also used to address I/O ports.
Control Bus
• Control and timing information
—Memory read/write signal
—Interrupt request
—Clock signals
Bus Interconnection Scheme
BUS WIDTH

• The width of the data bus has an impact


on system performance:
—The wider the data bus, the greater the
number of bits transferred at one time.

• The width of the address bus has an


impact on system capacity:
—the wider the address bus, the greater the
range of locations that can be referenced.

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