Exite exam sample question #2 (2015) for embedded system

1. What is the main difference between a microprocessor and a microcontroller?

a) Microprocessors have higher clock speeds than microcontrollers.

b) Microprocessors have more memory than microcontrollers.

c) Microprocessors require external components to function, while microcontrollers are

complete systems on a chip.

d) Microprocessors are used in real-time applications, while microcontrollers are used in

general-purpose computing.

Answer: c) Microprocessors require external components to function, while microcontrollers

are complete systems on a chip.

2. Which architecture is commonly used in microcontrollers?

a) Von Neumann architecture

b) Modified Harvard architecture

c) RISC architecture

d) CISC architecture

Answer: b) Modified Harvard architecture

3. What is the purpose of peripherals in microcontrollers?

a) To enhance the processing power of the microcontroller

b) To connect the microcontroller to external memory

c) To interface with input/output devices and perform specific tasks

d) To provide virtual memory management

Answer: c) To interface with input/output devices and perform specific tasks

4. Which type of architecture allows concurrent access to instructions and data in
microcontrollers?

a) Von Neumann architecture

b) Modified Harvard architecture

c) RISC architecture

d) CISC architecture

Answer: b) Modified Harvard architecture

5. Which of the following is a characteristic of a microprocessor system?

a) It requires external memory and peripherals to function.

b) It is a complete system on a single chip.

c) It has integrated peripherals and I/O interfaces.

d) It is commonly used in real-time control applications.

Answer: a) It requires external memory and peripherals to function.

6. How can a microprocessor be incorporated into a system?

a) By connecting it to external memory and peripherals using buses.

b) By integrating it with on-chip memory and peripherals.

c) By running an operating system like Windows or Linux on it.

d) By using a RISC architecture for efficient execution.

Answer: a) By connecting it to external memory and peripherals using buses.

7. Which level of cache memory is commonly found in microprocessors?

a) L1 cache

b) L2 cache

c) L3 cache
 d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

8. What is the primary programming language used for microcontroller development?

a) Assembly language

b) C++

c) Java

d) Python

Answer: a) Assembly language

9. Which of the following is an example of a real-world application that involves interfacing

microcontrollers with real-time systems?

a) Home automation system

b) Word processing software

c) Web browsing

d) Image editing software

Answer: a) Home automation system

10. Which tool is commonly used for simulating, programming, and debugging
microcontrollers?

a) Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

b) Compiler

c) Logic analyzer

d) Oscilloscope

Answer: a) Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

11. What is the purpose of a programmer in microcontroller development?

a) To write and debug firmware code

b) To interface the microcontroller with external devices

c) To compile high-level programming languages into machine code

d) To burn the compiled code into the microcontroller's memory

Answer: d) To burn the compiled code into the microcontroller's memory

12. Which of the following is not a feature of microcontroller kits?

a) On-board sensors and actuators

b) GPIO pins for interfacing with external devices

c) Integrated development tools and software

d) Operating system for multitasking capabilities

Answer: d) Operating system for multitasking capabilities

13. How is memory organized in microcontrollers?

a) Separate instruction and data memory spaces

b) Single memory space for instructions and data

c) Multiple cache levels for faster access

d) Virtual memory management for efficient utilization

Answer: a) Separate instruction and data memory spaces

14. Which of the following is a characteristic of microcontrollers?

a) They are commonly used in desktop computers.

b) They have high clock speeds and processing power.

c) They are designed for specific tasks and embedded systems.

d) They run full-fledged operating systems like Windows.

 Answer: c) They are designed for specific tasks and embedded systems.

15. What type of programming languages are commonly used for microprocessor systems?

a) Low-level languages like assembly language

b) High-level languages like C++, Java, or Python

c) Both low-level and high-level languages, depending on the application

d) Microprocessor systems do not require programming languages.

Answer: b) High-level languages like C++, Java, or Python

16. Which architecture emphasizes a small set of simple and efficient instructions?

a) Von Neumann architecture

b) Modified Harvard architecture

c) RISC architecture

d) CISC architecture

Answer: c) RISC architecture

17. How are microprocessors different from microcontrollers in terms of programming?

a) Microprocessors require low-level languages like assembly, while microcontrollers can be

programmed in high-level languages.

b) Microprocessors require high-level languages like C++, while microcontrollers need low-
level languages.

c) Both microprocessors and microcontrollers can be programmed using any programming

language.

d) Microprocessors and microcontrollers require the same programming languages.

Answer: a) Microprocessors require low-level languages like assembly, while microcontrollers

can be programmed in high-level languages.
18. What is the main purpose of using simulators in microcontroller development?

a) To burn the firmware into the microcontroller's memory

b) To debug and test the firmware without physical hardware

c) To interface the microcontroller with external devices

d) To compile the high-level code into machine code

Answer: b) To debug and test the firmware without physical hardware

19. What is the role of an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) in microcontroller

programming?

a) It allows for interfacing with external devices.

b) It provides simulation and debugging capabilities.

c) It generates machine code from high-level programming languages.

d) It acts as an operating system for microcontrollers.

Answer: b) It provides simulation and debugging capabilities.

20. Which of the following is a common use case for microcontrollers in real-world applications?

a) Running complex software applications like video editing

b) Handling high-speed data processing in server farms

c) Controlling robotic systems and automation

d) Providing internet connectivity and browsing capabilities

Answer: c) Controlling robotic systems and automation

21. What is the primary function of a microcontroller in an embedded system?

a) Execution of high-level software applications

b) Management of system peripherals and I/O devices

c) Generation of high-frequency clock signals

 d) Execution of complex mathematical calculations

Answer: b) Management of system peripherals and I/O devices

22. Which of the following is an example of a microprocessor architecture commonly used in

personal computers?

a) ARM

b) AVR

c) x86

d) PIC

Answer: c) x86

23. In microcontrollers, what is the purpose of the input/output (I/O) ports?

a) They facilitate communication with external devices and sensors.

b) They provide memory storage for program instructions and data.

c) They perform arithmetic and logical operations.

d) They control the clock speed of the microcontroller.

Answer: a) They facilitate communication with external devices and sensors.

24. What is the role of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in a microcontroller system?

a) It converts digital signals to analog signals for output.

b) It converts analog signals to digital signals for processing.

c) It performs mathematical calculations using analog data.

d) It provides power supply regulation for the microcontroller.

Answer: b) It converts analog signals to digital signals for processing.

25. Which of the following statements accurately describes the interrupt handling mechanism in
microcontrollers?
 a) Interrupts are used to improve the overall processing speed of the microcontroller.

b) Interrupts are events that pause the microcontroller's execution to handle specific tasks.

c) Interrupts are only used for error handling in microcontroller systems.

d) Interrupts are processed by the microcontroller without affecting its current execution.

Answer: b) Interrupts are events that pause the microcontroller's execution to handle specific
tasks.

26. What is the purpose of the reset circuit in a microcontroller system?

a) To erase the firmware code stored in the microcontroller's memory.

b) To provide a startup signal that initializes the microcontroller.

c) To synchronize the clock signals between the microcontroller and external devices.

d) To regulate the power supply voltage for the microcontroller.

Answer: b) To provide a startup signal that initializes the microcontroller.

27. Which of the following is an advantage of using a microcontroller in an embedded system?

a) Higher processing power for complex applications

b) Greater flexibility for multitasking operations

c) Lower cost and reduced hardware complexity

d) Compatibility with standard operating systems

Answer: c) Lower cost and reduced hardware complexity

28. What is the purpose of a crystal oscillator in a microcontroller system?

a) To generate high-frequency clock signals for the microcontroller.

b) To regulate the power supply voltage for the microcontroller.

c) To provide additional memory storage for program instructions.

d) To interface the microcontroller with external devices.

 Answer: a) To generate high-frequency clock signals for the microcontroller.

29. Which of the following is an example of a real-time operating system (RTOS) commonly
used in microcontroller applications?

a) Windows

b) Linux

c) FreeRTOS

d) macOS

Answer: c) FreeRTOS

30. What is the significance of the I2C and SPI interfaces in microcontroller systems?

a) They enable communication between multiple microcontrollers.

b) They provide wireless connectivity options for the microcontroller.

c) They allow for

programming and debugging of the microcontroller.

d) They facilitate communication with peripheral devices and sensors.

Answer: d) They facilitate communication with peripheral devices and sensors.

31. Which of the following is an advantage of using a microprocessor over a microcontroller?

a) Lower power consumption

b) Greater hardware integration

c) Higher clock speed and processing power

d) Enhanced real-time performance

Answer: c) Higher clock speed and processing power

32. What is the purpose of a power-on reset (POR) circuit in a microcontroller system?

a) To restore the microcontroller to its initial state during power-up.

b) To regulate the power supply voltage for the microcontroller.

c) To synchronize the clock signals between the microcontroller and external devices.

d) To perform cryptographic operations for secure data storage.

Answer: a) To restore the microcontroller to its initial state during power-up.

33. Which of the following is an example of a real-world application that utilizes a

microcontroller for interfacing with real-time systems?

a) Home automation system

b) Social media platform

c) GPS navigation system

d) Online banking platform

Answer: a) Home automation system

34. What is the purpose of a debugger in microcontroller programming?

a) To monitor and analyze the performance of the microcontroller in real-time.

b) To generate high-level code from the microcontroller's machine code.

c) To provide a user interface for programming the microcontroller.

d) To interface the microcontroller with external devices.

Answer: a) To monitor and analyze the performance of the microcontroller in real-time.

35. Which of the following is an example of an external peripheral that can be connected to a
microcontroller?

a) RAM memory module

b) Microphone
 c) CPU fan

d) Graphics card

Answer: b) Microphone

36. What is the purpose of a timer/counter unit in a microcontroller system?

a) To regulate the power supply voltage for the microcontroller.

b) To perform arithmetic and logical operations.

c) To generate precise timing signals for tasks and events.

d) To control the input/output operations of the microcontroller.

Answer: c) To generate precise timing signals for tasks and events.

37. Which of the following is an example of an industrial application that utilizes

microcontrollers?

a) Online shopping platform

b) Robotic assembly line

c) Music streaming service

d) Photo editing software

Answer: b) Robotic assembly line

38. How does a microcontroller differ from a microprocessor in terms of integration with
peripheral devices?

a) Microcontrollers have integrated peripherals, while microprocessors require external

components.

b) Microcontrollers and microprocessors integrate peripheral devices in the same manner.

c) Microprocessors have more advanced peripherals compared to microcontrollers.

d) Microcontrollers require additional adapters to interface with peripheral devices.

 Answer: a) Microcontrollers have integrated peripherals, while microprocessors require
external components.

39. What is the primary purpose of using simulators in microcontroller development?

a) To provide real-time monitoring and analysis of the microcontroller's performance.

b) To simulate and validate the behavior of the microcontroller's firmware code.

c) To burn the firmware code into the microcontroller's memory.

d) To interface the microcontroller with external devices.

Answer: b) To simulate and validate the behavior of the microcontroller's firmware code.

40. Which of the following is an example of a commonly used programming language for
microcontroller development?

a) MATLAB

b) Ruby

c) Assembly language

d) HTML

Answer: c) Assembly language