I/O modules

Need for I/O modules:

There are some problems with Input/Output as mentioned below:

• Wide variety of peripherals

—Different methods of operations
—Delivering different amounts of data
—At different speeds
—In different formats and word length
• All slower than CPU and RAM

Functions of Input/Output Module

• Interface to CPU and Memory
• Interface to one or more peripherals
External Devices
• Human readable
 Suitable for communication with computer user
 E.g. Screen, printer, keyboard
• Machine readable
 Suitable for communication with equipment
 E.g. magnetic disk, magnetic tape
• Communication
 Suitable for communication with remote devices
 Modem
 Network Interface Card (NIC)
Example of interrupt structure :
• 8086 has one interrupt request line (INTR) and
one interrupt acknowledge line (INTA)
• To handle variety of devices and priority
structures 8086 is configured with 8259A
interrupt controller.
• 8259A has 8 interrupt lines
• External devices are connected to 8259A which in
turn connects to 8086.
• 8259A is responsible for management of interrupts.
Sequence of Events

• 8259A accepts interrupts

• 8259A determines priority
• 8259A signals 8086, raises INTR line and
signals CPU
• CPU Acknowledges via INTA line
• 8259A puts correct vector on data bus
• CPU processes interrupt