Computer Architecture Questions and Answers Part-12

1. The interrupt-request line is a part of the ___________
a) Data line
b) Control line
c) Address line
d) None of the mentioned

Answer: b
Explanation: The Interrupt-request line is a control line along which the device is allowed to send the interrupt signal.

2. The return address from the interrupt-service routine is stored on the ___________
a) System heap
b) Processor register
c) Processor stack
d) Memory

Answer: c
Explanation: The Processor after servicing the interrupts as to load the address of the previous process and this address is stored in the stack.

3. The signal sent to the device from the processor to the device after receiving an interrupt is ___________
a) Interrupt-acknowledge
b) Return signal
c) Service signal
d) Permission signal

Answer: a
Explanation: The Processor upon receiving the interrupt should let the device know that its request is received.

4. When the process is returned after an interrupt service ______ should be loaded again.
i) Register contents
ii) Condition codes
iii) Stack contents
iv) Return addresses
a) i, iv
b) ii, iii and iv
c) iii, iv
d) i, ii

Answer: d
Explanation: i, ii

5. The time between the receiver of an interrupt and its service is ______
a) Interrupt delay
b) Interrupt latency
c) Cycle time
d) Switching time

Answer: b
Explanation: The delay in servicing of an interrupt happens due to the time is taken for contact switch to take place.

6. Interrupts form an important part of _____ systems.
a) Batch processing
b) Multitasking
c) Real-time processing
d) Multi-user

Answer: c
Explanation: This forms an important part of the Real time system since if a process arrives with greater priority then it raises an interrupt and the other process is stopped and the interrupt will be serviced.

7. A single Interrupt line can be used to service n different devices.
a) true
b) false

Answer: a
Explanation: true

8. ______ type circuits are generally used for interrupt service lines.
i) open-collector
ii) open-drain
iii) XOR
iv) XNOR
a) i, ii
b) ii
c) ii, iii
d) ii, iv

Answer: a
Explanation: i, ii

9. The resistor which is attached to the service line is called _____
a) Push-down resistor
b) Pull-up resistor
c) Break down resistor
d) Line resistor

Answer: b
Explanation: This resistor is used to pull up the voltage of the interrupt service line.

10. An interrupt that can be temporarily ignored is ___________
a) Vectored interrupt
b) Non-maskable interrupt
c) Maskable interrupt
d) High priority interrupt

Answer: c
Explanation: The maskable interrupts are usually low priority interrupts which can be ignored if a higher priority process is being executed.