ISCET Digital Systems & Microprocessors 5

Question 1

In a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture, which characteristic distinguishes it from CISC?

Accepted Answer

Most instructions execute in a single clock cycle

Answer

RISC architectures use simple, fixed-length instructions designed to execute in a single clock cycle, relying on a load/store model for memory access.

Question 2

What type of memory is used for the BIOS in a PC and retains its contents without power?

Accepted Answer

Flash ROM

Answer

Flash ROM (a type of non-volatile memory) stores the BIOS/UEFI firmware and retains data without power while still being electrically erasable and reprogrammable.

Question 3

Which logic operation is equivalent to finding the complement of the sum of two binary numbers' inputs?

Accepted Answer

NOR

Answer

A NOR gate produces the complement of the OR function: output is HIGH only when ALL inputs are LOW.

Question 4

In a microprocessor system, what is 'memory-mapped I/O'?

Accepted Answer

I/O devices that use the same address space as memory

Answer

Memory-mapped I/O assigns I/O device registers addresses within the CPU's memory address space, allowing them to be accessed with standard memory read/write instructions.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a multiplexer (MUX) in digital systems?

Accepted Answer

To select one of several input signals and route it to a single output

Answer

A multiplexer selects one of its N data inputs based on the binary value of its select lines and routes it to the single output.

(ISCET) International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians Practice Test

(ISCET) International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians Practice Test

ISCET Digital Systems & Microprocessors 5