EC-604-A Microcontroller and Embedded System - May 2022 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aDescribe in detail Timer/counter functions of 8051 microcontroller.
   How to answer

   • Define Timer 0 and Timer 1 in 8051, 16-bit timer/counter modes
   • Explain TMOD, TCON, THx/TLx registers and C/T bit for timer vs counter
   • Describe Modes 0,1,2,3 operation and baud-rate generation
   • Steps for initialization, start, polling overflow and prescaling
2. 7 Marks
   bGive steps to program 8051 for receiving serial data.
   How to answer

   • Set serial mode via SCON SM0, SM1 and REN=1 for reception
   • Configure baud rate using Timer 1 Mode 2 and PCON SMOD
   • Poll RI flag, read SBUF and clear RI in loop
   • Flowchart/steps for initialization to continuous reception
3. 7 Marks
   aWith the help of neat diagram, explain how stepper motor can be interfaced to 8051 microcontroller.
   How to answer

   • Show 8051 port pins interfaced via driver ULN2003 to 4-phase stepper motor
   • Explain full-step / half-step excitation sequence table
   • Explain program logic for clockwise/anticlockwise rotation and speed control
   • Neat interfacing diagram with power supply and coil connections
4. 7 Marks
   bExplain an example of 8051 based data acquisition system.
   How to answer

   • Define data acquisition system: sensors, signal conditioning, ADC, 8051, display/storage
   • Explain interfacing of ADC 0808/0809 to 8051 with timing and control signals
   • Give example e.g., temperature acquisition using LM35 with flowchart/program outline
5. 7 Marks
   aDraw function block diagram of 8096 and explain each block.
   How to answer

   • Draw functional block diagram of 8096: CPU, ROM/RAM, I/O, timers, HSI/HSO, ADC, serial port, bus controller
   • Explain 16-bit CPU, 232-byte register file and memory map
   • Explain peripherals: high-speed I/O, PWM, A/D, watchdog timer
6. 7 Marks
   bDescribe all the addressing modes of 8096 with examples.
   How to answer

   • List 8096 addressing modes: immediate, direct, indirect, indexed, etc.
   • Give syntax/example for each mode
   • Explain register vs memory addressing and long/short indexed modes
7. 7 Marks
   aGive classification of 8096 instruction set with examples.
   How to answer

   • Classify into data transfer, arithmetic, logical, branch/call, control/flag groups
   • Give 8096 mnemonic examples for each class
   • Explain byte/word and 16-bit operations
8. 7 Marks
   bWhat are the hardware features of 8096? Explain in detail.
   How to answer

   • State 16-bit architecture, clock, memory, register file size
   • Explain I/O ports, timers, HSI/HSO, ADC, serial, PWM, interrupts
   • Explain packaging, power and performance features
9. 7 Marks
   aDefine embedded system. Compare it with general computing system. Also give its major application areas.
   How to answer

   • Define embedded system as application-specific computer with hardware+software
   • Compare on purpose, hardware, OS, power, cost, reliability vs general computing
   • List major applications: automotive, consumer, industrial, medical, telecom
10. 7 Marks
    bWhat is the purpose of Embedded Systems? Give characteristics and quality attributes of embedded system.
    How to answer

    • Explain purpose: dedicated control, real-time, low cost/power operation
    • List characteristics: single function, real-time, resource constrained, reliable
    • Explain quality attributes: performance, power, safety, maintainability, cost
11. 7 Marks
    aGive detailed classification of embedded system with applications.
    How to answer

    • Classify by scale, complexity, performance: small/medium/large, standalone/networked/mobile
    • Classify by real-time: hard/soft, and by generation
    • Give application example for each class
12. 7 Marks
    bCompare in detail CISC and RISC.
    How to answer

    • Define CISC vs RISC philosophy
    • Compare on instruction length, addressing modes, registers, pipelining, power
    • Give examples: 8086/x86 vs ARM/MIPS with tabular comparison
13. 7 Marks
    aCompare in detail Von Neumann and Harvard architecture.
    How to answer

    • Describe Von Neumann single memory/bus vs Harvard separate program/data memory
    • Compare speed, complexity, cost, bus structure with diagrams
    • Give examples and use in microcontrollers vs microprocessors
14. 7 Marks
    bWrite a note on ARM and DSP processors.
    How to answer

    • Outline ARM: RISC, low power, architecture versions, registers, applications
    • Outline DSP: MAC, Harvard, pipelining for signal processing
    • Mention use in embedded/mobile vs audio/video processing
15. 7 Marks
    aDraw and explain the functional block diagram of interrupt controller and explain each block.
    How to answer

    • Draw block diagram: interrupt sources, priority resolver, mask, control logic, CPU interface
    • Explain each block: request, enable, priority, vector generation
    • Explain sequence of interrupt acknowledgement and servicing
16. 7 Marks
    bWhat are the different modes of keyboard controller? Explain each mode with an example.
    How to answer

    • List keyboard controller modes: scanned, strobed, encoded, decoded modes
    • Explain operation of each mode with interfacing example
    • Mention 8279 as typical keyboard/display controller example