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
Refrigeration control - Microcontrollers are widely used in refrigerators to manage temperature settings and optimize energy usage.
Lighting control - They are essential in automated lighting systems, providing control over illumination based on time of day or occupancy.
Step 2
Identify the block diagram in FIGURE 6.2 above.
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Answer
The block diagram represents a Microcontroller, which integrates 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 primarily used by the CPU to issue control instructions to both memory and all output/input ports.
Step 4
State the function of the following:
(b) Data bus
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The data bus serves as the 'highway' through which all data is transferred, sent, and received between the CPU, memory, and input/output ports.
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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When data enters the Current Instruction Register (CIR), the control unit decodes the instruction into two parts: the operation code, which specifies the instruction to be executed, and the address part that indicates the data required for execution. This processed information is then sent to the CPU for execution.
Step 7
Describe the function of the accumulator.
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The accumulator stores data that is needed for any arithmetic operation performed by the CPU. It acts as a temporary storage area that holds the results of operations.
Step 8
State the TWO types of registers that are used within the CPU.
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Special Purpose Register - Used for specific functions.
General Purpose Register - Can be used for a variety of tasks during program execution.
Step 9
Define communication protocols.
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Communication protocols are defined as a set of rules that allow two electronic devices to connect and exchange data.
Step 10
Explain the differences between simplex communication and half-duplex communication.
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In simplex communication, data travels in only one direction from the transmitter to the receiver. In contrast, half-duplex communication allows data to flow in both directions, however, not simultaneously, whereby one device transmits while the other listens.
Step 11
Explain the mode of operation of the serial peripheral interface (SPI).
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The Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) operates as a synchronous serial communication link that uses separate clock and data lines to facilitate data transfer in both directions simultaneously. This allows for efficient and fast communication between microcontrollers and peripherals.
Step 12
State TWO disadvantages of SPI.
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Susceptible to noise - SPI communication can be interfered with by external noise, leading to data integrity issues.
Limited distance - SPI can only travel short distances, which is constrained by the physical wiring used.
Step 13
State the maximum cable length.
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The maximum cable length for RS-485 communication is typically 1200 metres.
Step 14
State the mode of operation.
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RS-485 can operate in either simplex or half-duplex mode.
Step 15
Name TWO devices that can be used with the RS-485 interface.
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Point of Sale Terminals
CNC Machines
Step 16
Describe an instruction cycle.
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In an instruction cycle, the CPU fetches a program instruction from memory. It decodes the instruction, considers all inputs, and executes the instruction before moving to the next cycle.
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 show the following steps:
Start
Check if switch is pressed?
If Yes: Output ON, wait 5 seconds, output OFF
If No: Loop back to check again
Repeat as required until the system is turned off.
