(SEM IV) THEORY EXAMINATION 2018-19 MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS

MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS – B.Tech (Semester IV), REC-401

This is a 3-hour, 70-mark theory exam designed to assess a student's knowledge of 8085 microprocessor, MSP430 microcontroller, interrupts, buses, interfacing, low-power systems, serial communication, and embedded system concepts.

The paper is divided into three structured sections covering conceptual questions, descriptive explanations, and in-depth analytical / block diagram questions.
 

SECTION A — Short Conceptual Questions (2 × 7 = 14 Marks)

This section contains 7 brief questions, aimed at testing fundamental concepts of microprocessors and microcontrollers.

Topics include:

Status & control signal generation in 8085                       Direct Memory Access (DMA) concept

Microprocessor vs Microcontroller                                    Embedded systems & applications

Low-power modes of MSP430                                           UART definition

Software interrupts

These questions test basic definitions and quick understanding.
 

SECTION B — Descriptive Questions (7 × 3 = 21 Marks)

Attempt any 3 out of 5.
This section evaluates understanding of hardware operation, interrupts, buses, register systems, and embedded application design.

Topics include:

Multiplexed Address/Data Bus in 8085, demultiplexing & role of ALE

Interrupts of 8085: maskable / non-maskable, vectored / non-vectored

MSP430 Programming System registers + pull-up/pull-down concepts

Polling vs Interrupt-driven method; MSP430 interrupt sources

Designing a battery-less wireless temperature & humidity sensor using MSP430 + RFID

These questions test theoretical knowledge + practical design ability.
 

SECTION C — Long Answer / Diagram / Architecture Questions (7 marks each)

Each question has two choices (a or b) requiring strong explanation, block diagrams, and real conceptual depth.

Q3 – Instruction Set & Addressing Modes

Classification of instruction set with examples

Addressing modes of 8085 with examples

Q4 – Programmable ICs (8259A & 8255A)

Block diagram & working of 8259A PIC + interrupt priority

Block diagram of 8255A PPI, modes of operation, BSR & I/O control word

Q5 – Architecture Comparisons & MSP430 Power Concepts

Von Neumann vs Harvard architecture

RISC vs CISC

Active vs standby current consumption in MSP430

Q6 – MSP430 Timers & ADC

MSP430 system clock structure, Watchdog Timer & RTC

MSP430 ADC mechanism + DMA explanation

Q7 – Serial Communication Interfaces

Types of serial interfaces in MSP430 + comparison

I²C protocol & max number of slaves in a single-master bus

These questions require solid theoretical understanding, memory of block diagrams, and accurate technical explanations.
 

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE EXAM

This question paper assesses whether the student can:

Explain 8085 processor architecture, buses, interrupts & instruction set

Understand microcontroller concepts using MSP430

Compare architectures (RISC/CISC, Harvard/Princeton)

Implement DMA, serial protocols (UART, I2C), timers & ADC

Design embedded applications using interfacing techniques

Understand low-power operation strategies in microcontrollers

It evaluates both theoretical electronics knowledge and practical embedded-system design skills, essential for careers in IoT, robotics, automation, and embedded engineering.