6.1 State TWO uses of a microcontroller as used in commercial devices - NSC Electrical Technology Digital - Question 6 - 2024 - Paper 1
Question 6
6.1 State TWO uses of a microcontroller as used in commercial devices.
6.2 Refer to the block diagram in FIGURE 6.2 below and answer the questions that follow.
6.3... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:6.1 State TWO uses of a microcontroller as used in commercial devices - NSC Electrical Technology Digital - Question 6 - 2024 - Paper 1
Step 1
State TWO uses of a microcontroller as used in commercial devices.
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Answer
Microcontrollers are commonly used in:
Refrigeration control to maintain desired temperatures effectively.
Lighting systems for advertising and illumination of public spaces.
Step 2
Identify the block diagram in FIGURE 6.2 above.
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Answer
The block diagram in FIGURE 6.2 represents a Microcontroller System which includes a CPU, memory (ROM and RAM), and I/O interfaces.
Step 3
State the function of the following:
(a) Control bus
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The control bus is used primarily by the CPU to send control instructions to both memory and I/O devices.
Step 4
(b) Data bus
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The data bus acts as the highway through which all data is transferred between the CPU, memory, and I/O devices.
Step 5
Define the term interface.
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An interface is a shared boundary across which two separate components of a computer system exchange information.
Step 6
Explain how the data is processed once it enters the current instruction register (CIR) from the MDR.
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Once the data enters the CIR from the MDR, it is split into two parts: 1) The instruction part is decoded by the control unit to prepare for execution, and 2) the address of the data part is identified for use with that instruction.
Step 7
Describe the function of the accumulator.
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The accumulator is a special register stores data that is crucial for arithmetic operations conducted by the CPU.
Step 8
State the TWO types of registers that are used within the CPU.
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Special purpose registers, which hold specific data required for operations.
General purpose registers, which can be used for various data types during instruction execution.
Step 9
Define communication protocols.
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Communication protocols are sets of rules that enable two electronic devices to communicate and exchange data.
Step 10
Explain the differences between simplex communication and half-duplex communication.
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In simplex communication, data flows in one direction only (from sender to receiver). In half-duplex communication, data can flow in both directions but only one signal can be sent at a time, requiring devices to take turns.
Step 11
Explain the mode of operation of the serial peripheral interface (SPI).
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SPI operates as a synchronous serial communication data link that simultaneously transmits signals in both directions. It uses separate data lines, allowing for selective device communication.
Step 12
State TWO disadvantages of SPI.
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SPI is susceptible to noise, which can lead to data corruption.
SPI can only travel short distances, which limits its application range.
Step 13
State the maximum cable length.
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The maximum cable length for RS-485 communication protocol is 1200 metres.
Step 14
State the mode of operation.
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The RS-485 protocol operates in simplex or half-duplex modes.
Step 15
Name TWO devices that can be used with the RS-485 interface.
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Point of Sale (POS) terminals.
Medical instruments.
Step 16
Describe an instruction cycle.
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In the instruction cycle, the CPU fetches a program instruction from its memory, decodes the instruction, considers all inputs, and then executes the instruction.
Step 17
Draw a complete flow chart for this device on the ANSWER SHEET for QUESTION 6.9.
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The flow chart should indicate the process starting from the 'Start' block, leading to a decision making node (e.g., 'Switch pressed?'), followed by actions taken (e.g., 'Output On', 'Wait 5 seconds', 'Output Off'), and returning to the decision point.
