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51.

What type of cache is used in the Intel 80486DX?(a) logical(b) physical(c) harvard(d) unifiedThe question was asked in an online quiz.Asked question is from Size of Cache in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The correct ANSWER is (d) unified

The explanation is: The INTEL 80486DX processor has a unified cache. Similarly, Motorola MPC601PC also uses the unified cache. The unified cache has the same mechanism to STORE both DATA and instructions.

52.

Which address is used for a tag?(a) memory address(b) logical address(c) cache address(d) location addressI had been asked this question in an internship interview.The doubt is from Size of Cache in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer» RIGHT option is (b) logical address

The explanation: The cache MEMORY uses either a physical address or logical address for its TAG DATA. For a logical cache, the tag REFERS to a logical address and for a physical cache, the tag refers to the physical address.
53.

Which of the following uses a linear line fill interfacing?(a) MC68040(b) MC68030(c) US 74707 B2(d) Hyper BusI have been asked this question in homework.This interesting question is from Burst Interfaces topic in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Correct choice is (b) MC68030

The explanation: MC68030 uses a LINEAR burst FILL WHEREAS MC68040, US 74707 B2 uses to wrap AROUND burst INTERFACING. HyperBus can switch to both linear and wrap around interfacing.

54.

Which of the following unit provides security to the processor?(a) bus interface unit(b) execution unit(c) peripheral unit(d) memory protection unitThis question was posed to me in a job interview.The origin of the question is Memory Protection Unit topic in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Correct choice is (d) memory protection UNIT

For explanation I would say: The memory MANAGEMENT unit and the memory protection unit PROVIDES security to the PROCESSOR by trapping the invalid memory accesses before they corrupt other data.

55.

What does DMA stand for?(a) direct memory access(b) direct main access(c) data main access(d) data memory addressThis question was addressed to me in final exam.I would like to ask this question from Cache Memory topic in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The correct option is (a) direct memory access

The explanation is: The DMA is direct memory access which can modify the memory WITHOUT the help of the processor. If any kind of memory access by DMA to be done, it will PASSES a REQUEST to the processor BUS and the processor provides an acknowledgment and gives the control of the bus to the DMA.

56.

Which of the following uses a priority level for permitting data?(a) ARM memory management unit(b) ARM protection memory management unit(c) Bus interface unit(d) Execution unitI have been asked this question during an interview.The above asked question is from Memory Protection Unit in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Correct choice is (b) ARM protection memory management unit

For explanation I would say: In the ARM protection architecture, the memory is divided into some regions of size 4 KBYTES to 4 Gbytes. These regions possess bits called the cacheable bit, buffer bit, and access permitted bits. The regions are numbered as per priority level for which the PERMISSION bits TAKES the precedence if any of the regions gets overlapped.

57.

How did burst interfaces access faster memory?(a) segmentation(b) dma(c) static column memory(d) memoryThe question was posed to me during an internship interview.My doubt is from Burst Interfaces in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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58.

What does PMMU stands for?(a) protection mode memory management unit(b) paged memory management unit(c) physical memory management unit(d) paged multiple management unitI got this question in quiz.Question is taken from Segmentation and Paging in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right option is (b) paged memory management unit

The best I can explain: The paged memory management unit is used to decrease the amount of STORAGE needed in the page TABLES, that is, a multi-level tree STRUCTURE is used. MC68030, PowerPC, ARM 920 USES a paged memory management unit.

59.

Which of the following address is seen by the memory unit?(a) logical address(b) physical address(c) virtual address(d) memory addressThis question was posed to me by my college professor while I was bunking the class.I'd like to ask this question from Segmentation and Paging in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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The CORRECT answer is (B) physical address

To elaborate: The LOGICAL address is the address generated by the CPU. It is also KNOWN as VIRTUAL address. The physical address is the address which is seen by the memory unit.

60.

In which of the following access, the address is supplied?(a) the first access(b) the second access(c) third access(d) fourth accessI had been asked this question in an international level competition.My question is taken from Burst Interfaces topic in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer» RIGHT answer is (a) the first access

To elaborate: In the burst interface, the address is SUPPLIED only for the first access and not for the remaining accesses. An EXTERNAL logic is required for the additional ADDRESSES for the memory interface.
61.

How many clocks are required for the first access in the burst interface?(a) 1(b) 2(c) 3(d) 4This question was addressed to me in an international level competition.Asked question is from Burst Interfaces topic in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The correct ANSWER is (b) 2

Easiest explanation: In the burst interface, the first access of the memory address requires two clock CYCLES and a single cycle for the REMAINING memory address.

62.

What type of bit in the ARM memory mimics to that of the protection unit of ARM management unit?(a) permission bit(b) buffer bit(c) cacheable bit(d) access permission bitThe question was posed to me in a national level competition.The doubt is from Memory Protection Unit in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Correct ANSWER is (a) permission bit

For explanation: The ARM ARCHITECTURE memory protection unit divides the memory range into different regions of size ranging from 4 Kbytes to 4 Gbytes. Each region is associated with certain BITS called the cacheable bit, buffer bit, and access permitted bit. These bits are SIMILAR to the permission bit in the ARM memory management unit architecture which is stored in the control register.

63.

How many types of tables are used by the processor in the protected mode?(a) 1(b) 2(c) 3(d) 4The question was asked in a job interview.The question is from Segmentation and Paging in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right answer is (B) 2

Easy explanation: There are two types of descriptor table used by the PROCESSOR in the protected MODE which are GDT and LDT, that is global descriptor table and LOCAL descriptor table RESPECTIVELY.

64.

Which of the following can allocate entries in the cache for any data that is written out?(a) write-allocate cache(b) read-allocate cache(c) memory-allocate cache(d) write cacheI got this question during an online interview.My doubt is from Writing Scheme of Cache Memory topic in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right CHOICE is (a) write-allocate cache

To explain: A write-allocate cache allocates the ENTRIES in the cache for any data that is written out. If the data is transferred to the EXTERNAL memory so that, when it is accessed again, the data is already waiting in the cache. It works efficiently if the size of the cache is large and it does not overwrite even though it is ADVANTAGEOUS.

65.

Which of the following is used to start a supervisor level?(a) error signal(b) default signal(c) wait for the signal(d) interrupt signalI have been asked this question by my school principal while I was bunking the class.Question is from Memory Protection Unit topic in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right OPTION is (a) error signal

Best EXPLANATION: If memory ACCESS from the software does not access the correct data, an error signal is generated which will start a SUPERVISOR level software for the decision.

66.

What does the table indicator indicate when it is set to one?(a) GDT(b) LDT(c) remains unchanged(d) toggles with GTD and LTDI have been asked this question in an online interview.The doubt is from Segmentation and Paging in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer» CORRECT choice is (b) LDT

To elaborate: The table indicator is a part of selector that selects which table is to be used. If the table indicator is SET to LOGIC ONE, the will use the local descriptor table and if the table indicator is set to logic zero, it will use the global descriptor table.
67.

Which protocol does MPC601 use?(a) MESI protocol(b) MEI protocol(c) MOSI protocol(d) MESIF protocolI got this question in semester exam.I need to ask this question from Writing Scheme of Cache Memory in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The CORRECT OPTION is (a) MESI protocol

To explain I would say: MPC601 uses a MESI protocol, that is they have a shared state for data accessing in the cache. It can reduce the cache coherency but the cache coherency is processor specific. So different processors have different cache coherency implementations.

68.

Which mechanism splits the external memory storage into memory pages?(a) index mechanism(b) burst mode(c) distributive mode(d) a software mechanismI got this question in an interview.Asked question is from Size of Cache topic in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Correct OPTION is (a) index MECHANISM

For explanation I would SAY: The index mechanism splits the EXTERNAL memory storage into a series of memory pages in which each page is the same size as the cache. Each page is MAPPED to the cache so that each page can have its own location in the cache.

69.

How many divisions are possible in the cache memory based on the tag or index address?(a) 3(b) 2(c) 4(d) 5I had been asked this question in an international level competition.I'd like to ask this question from Cache Memory in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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70.

Which of the following is also known as Illinois protocol?(a) MESI protocol(b) MEI protocol(c) Bus snooping(d) Modified exclusive invalidThis question was addressed to me in a job interview.This intriguing question comes from Writing Scheme of Cache Memory in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer» RIGHT choice is (a) MESI protocol

The best I can EXPLAIN: The MESI protocol is ALSO known as Illinois protocol because of its formation at the University of Illinois.
71.

What type of error occurs in the refresh cycle of the DRAM?(a) errors in data(b) power loss(c) timing issues(d) not accessing dataI got this question in an interview for job.My question is taken from DRAM Refreshing Techniques topic in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Correct choice is (c) timing ISSUES

For explanation: When the REFRESH cycle in a DRAM is running, it will not access data, so the PROCESSOR will have to WAIT for its data. This ARISES some timing issues.

72.

How many memory locations can be accessed by 8086?(a) 1 M(b) 2 M(c) 3 M(d) 4 MI had been asked this question in an interview.The doubt is from Memory Organisation of Embedded Systems in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The CORRECT option is (a) 1 M

To explain I would say: The 8086 PROCESSOR has a 20-bit address bus, HENCE it can access a MEMORY of 2^20-1 M locations.

73.

Which is the term that is used to refer the order of bytes?(a) endianness(b) memory organisation(c) bit(d) registerI got this question in examination.Question is taken from Memory Organisation of Embedded Systems in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right answer is (a) endianness

The explanation: Endianness DEFINES the order of BYTES, that is, whether it is big endian or little endian. The former represents the higher order BITS and the LATTER represents the lower order bits.

74.

Who proposed the miniature card format?(a) Intel(b) IBM(c) MIPS(d) AppleThe question was posed to me in class test.Asked question is from SRAM topic in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Correct choice is (a) INTEL

Easy explanation: Miniature Card is an SRAM MEMORY card proposed by Intel in the 1980s but it was no longer MANUFACTURED.

75.

Which of the following memories has more speed in accessing data?(a) SRAM(b) DRAM(c) EPROM(d) EEPROMI got this question in an international level competition.Question is from Memory Technology of Embedded Systems in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right choice is (a) SRAM

Easiest explanation: SRAM have more speed than DRAM because it has 4 to 6 transistors arranged as flip-flop logic gates, that is it can be FLIPPED from one BINARY state to another but DRAM has a small capacitor as its storage element.

76.

Which of the following ahs refreshes control mechanism?(a) DRAM(b) SRAM(c) Battery backed-up SRAM(d) Pseudo-static RAMThis question was posed to me in an online quiz.Question is from SRAM in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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77.

Which package has high memory speed and change in the supply?(a) DIP(b) SIMM(c) DIMM(d) zig-zagThe question was posed to me during an interview.The query is from Memory Management in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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The correct choice is (C) DIMM

To explain I would say: DIMM is a special version of SIMM which is 168-bits wider BUS and looks similar to a larger SIMM. The wider bus INCREASES the memory speed and change in SUPPLY VOLTAGE.

78.

Which of the following technique is used by the UNIX operating system?(a) logical address memory(b) physical address memory(c) virtual memory technique(d) translational addressI had been asked this question during a job interview.I want to ask this question from Memory Management topic in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Correct option is (C) virtual memory technique

Best explanation: In the workstation and in the UNIX operating SYSTEM virtual memory technique is FREQUENTLY USED in which the main memory is divided into different segments and pages. These pages will have a virtual address which can increase the address spacing.

79.

Which of the following is a common cache?(a) DIMM(b) SIMM(c) TLB(d) CacheI had been asked this question in an interview for internship.My query is from Cache Memory in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right choice is (C) TLB

Easiest explanation: The TRANSLATION lookaside buffer is common cache memory seen in almost all CPUs and desktops which are a part of the memory MANAGEMENT UNIT. It can improve the virtual ADDRESS translation speed.

80.

Which of the following is replaced with the absolute addressing mode?(a) relative addressing mode(b) protective addressing mode(c) virtual addressing mode(d) temporary addressing modeThis question was posed to me during a job interview.Asked question is from Memory Management in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Correct ANSWER is (a) relative addressing mode

Easiest explanation: The memory allocation of the modular blocks can be done by the writing the software PROGRAM in relocatable or POSITION independent manner which can execute ANYWHERE in the memory map, but relocatable code must have the same ADDRESS between its data and code segments. This is used to avoid the use of absolute addressing modes which is replaced by the relative addressing modes.

81.

Which one of the following is a storage element in SRAM?(a) capacitor(b) inductor(c) transistor(d) resistorI have been asked this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.This interesting question is from DRAM in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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The correct choice is (c) transistor

The explanation is: FOUR to six transistors are used to store a SINGLE bit of data and FORM a flip-flop logic gate and THUS SRAM is faster in accessing data.

82.

Which of them is a memory that is allocated to the program in LIFO pattern?(a) stack(b) index(c) accumulator(d) baseThis question was addressed to me in my homework.Question is taken from Memory Organisation of Embedded Systems topic in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Correct choice is (a) stack

The explanation is: A stack is a MEMORY which is ALLOCATED to the PROGRAM in last-in, first out pattern. Stack pointer contains the memory ADDRESS of the stack.

83.

How do CBR works?(a) by asserting CAS before RAS(b) by asserting CAS after RAS(c) by asserting RAS before CAS(d) by asserting CAS onlyThis question was addressed to me in an online quiz.Query is from DRAM Refreshing Techniques in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The correct choice is (a) by asserting CAS before RAS

The EXPLANATION: CBR WORKS by an internal address counter which is PERIODICALLY INCREMENTED. The mechanism is based on CAS before RAS. Each TIME when RAS is asserted, the refresh cycle performs and the counter is incremented.

84.

What is the access time of MCM51000AP10?(a) 100ns(b) 80ns(c) 60ns(d) 40nsThe question was posed to me in a national level competition.I need to ask this question from Memory Management in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Correct answer is (a) 100ns

The best I can explain: The access TIME of memory is DEFINED as the maximum time TAKEN by the chip to read/write data and it is very IMPORTANT to MATCH the access time to the design. For example, MCM51000AP10 have 100ns access time for the memory.

85.

Which of the following can destroy the accuracy in the algorithms?(a) delays(b) error signal(c) interrupt(d) mmuI got this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.I would like to ask this question from Memory Management in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Correct choice is (a) delays

For explanation: The delays occurring in the memory MANAGEMENT UNIT can destroy the accuracy in the ALGORITHMS and in order to avoid this, the linear ADDRESSING RANGE should be increased.

86.

Which of the following is a plastic package used primarily for DRAM?(a) SIMM(b) DIMM(c) Zig-zag(d) Dual-in-lineThis question was posed to me by my school principal while I was bunking the class.My query is from Memory Organisation of Embedded Systems in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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The correct CHOICE is (c) Zig-zag

Explanation: Zig-zag package of MEMORY is a PLASTIC package used for DRAM. The LEADS of this package are arranged in a zigzag manner.

87.

Which of the following memory organisation have the entire memory available to the processor at all times?(a) segmented addressing(b) paging(c) virtual address(d) linear addressThe question was asked during an online interview.Question is from Memory Organisation of Embedded Systems topic in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer» CORRECT option is (d) LINEAR address

The best I can explain: There are two TYPES of memory organisation, linear ADDRESSING in which the entire memory is available to the processor of all times as in Motorola 6800 and the other is segmented addressing where the memory space is divided into several segments and the processor is limited to access the program instructions and data which are located in PARTICULAR segments.
88.

Which of the following capacitor can store more data in DRAM?(a) planar capacitor(b) trench capacitor(c) stacked-cell(d) non-polar capacitorThis question was posed to me by my college professor while I was bunking the class.I would like to ask this question from DRAM topic in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Right ANSWER is (c) stacked-cell

Explanation: Stacked-cell can store greater than 1 GB. Planar CAPACITOR can store up to 1 Mb and trench capacitor can store 4-256 Mb.

89.

Which mode reduces the need for fast static RAMs?(a) page mode(b) page interleaving(c) burst mode(d) EDO memoryI had been asked this question by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.The above asked question is from DRAM Interfaces in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Correct option is (c) BURST mode

For explanation: The page mode, nibble mode devices can provide data fastly when the new column ADDRESS is given. In burst mode operation, the PROCESSOR can fetch more data than it needs and keeps the remaining data in an internal cache for the future use which can reduce the need for FAST STATIC RAMs.

90.

Which of the following mode of operation in the DRAM interfacing has a page boundary?(a) burst mode(b) EDO RAM(c) page mode(d) page interleavingI got this question in an internship interview.The query is from DRAM Interfaces in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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The CORRECT choice is (C) page mode

To explain: The page mode operation have MEMORY CYCLES that exhibit some form of locality, that is, stay within the page boundary which causes page missing when there is access outside the page boundary and two or more wait STATES.

91.

Which type of storage element of SRAM is very fast in accessing data but consumes lots of power?(a) TTL(b) CMOS(c) NAND(d) NORI had been asked this question in a job interview.The doubt is from SRAM in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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The correct OPTION is (a) TTL

Best explanation: TTL or TRANSISTOR-transistor LOGIC which is a type of bipolar junction transistor access data very fastly but consumes lots of power WHEREAS CMOS is used in low power consumption.

92.

How is the number of chips required is determined?(a) number of data lines(b) the minimum number of data(c) width of the data path from the processor(d) number of data lines and the width of the data path from the processorThe question was posed to me during an online exam.This intriguing question originated from Memory Organisation of Embedded Systems topic in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The correct OPTION is (d) number of data lines and the width of the data PATH from the processor

Explanation: The MINIMUM number of chips is determined by the number of data lines and the width of the data path from the processor. For example, MC6800 family have a 16-bit wide datapath, 16*1 devices, 4*4 or 2*8 devices are needed.

93.

What is the size of a trench capacitor in DRAM?(a) 1 Mb(b) 4-256 Mb(c) 8-128 Mb(d) 64-128 MbI had been asked this question in final exam.The question is from DRAM in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The CORRECT answer is (b) 4-256 Mb

Easy EXPLANATION: TRENCH capacitor can STORE from 4-256 Mb but planar capacitor can store up to 1 Mb.

94.

Which factor determines the cache performance?(a) software(b) peripheral(c) input(d) outputThis question was posed to me in final exam.This intriguing question originated from Cache Memory topic in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Correct choice is (a) software

The explanation is: The cache performance is completely dependent on the system and software. In software, the processor checks out each LOOP and if a duplicate is found in the cache memory, IMMEDIATELY it is accessed.

95.

Which of the following can transfer up to 1.6 billion bytes per second?(a) DRAM(b) RDRAM(c) EDO RAM(d) SDRAMThis question was posed to me during an internship interview.My question comes from DRAM Interfaces in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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Right option is (b) RDRAM

To ELABORATE: The Rambus RAM can TRANSFER up to 1.6 BILLION bytes per SECOND. It POSSESSES RAM controller, a bus which connects the microprocessor and the device, and random access memory.

96.

Which of the following has programmable hardware?(a) microcontroller(b) microprocessor(c) coprocessor(d) FPGAI have been asked this question in an international level competition.My question is taken from Memory Technology of Embedded Systems topic in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right answer is (d) FPGA

The best explanation: Field programmable GATE ARRAYS are a type of multi-core ARCHITECTURE WHOSE hardware function can be PROGRAMMED by using hardware design tools.

97.

What does BEDO DRAM stand for?(a) burst EDO DRAM(b) buffer EDO DRAM(c) BIBO EDO DRAM(d) bilateral EDO DRAMThis question was addressed to me in final exam.My doubt is from DRAM Interfaces in portion Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

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The CORRECT option is (a) burst EDO DRAM

The explanation is: The burst EDO DRAM is evolved from the EDO DRAM and it can access four memory ADDRESSES in one burst. It also SUPPORTS pipeline stages which allow the PAGE access cycle into two parts.

98.

In which pin does the data appear in the basic DRAM interfacing?(a) dout pin(b) din pin(c) clock(d) interrupt pinThis question was addressed to me during an internship interview.I would like to ask this question from DRAM Interfaces in division Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right CHOICE is (a) dout pin

Easiest explanation: In the basic DRAM interfacing, the higher order bits asserts the RAS SIGNAL and the LOWER order bits asserts the CAS signal. When the access got expired, the data appears on the dout pin and is latched by the PROCESSOR.

99.

Which of the refresh circuit is similar to CBR?(a) software refresh(b) hidden refresh(c) burst refresh(d) distribute refreshI had been asked this question during an interview.The query is from DRAM Refreshing Techniques topic in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

The correct option is (b) HIDDEN refresh

Best explanation: In the hidden refresh, the refresh cycle is added to the end of a normal READ cycle. The RAS signal goes high and is then asserted low. At the end of the read cycle, the CAS is still asserted. This is similar to the CBR MECHANISM, that is, toggling of the RAS signal at the end of the read cycle starts a CBR refresh cycle.

100.

Which of the following uses a software refresh in the DRAM?(a) 8086(b) 80386(c) Pentium(d) Apple II personal computerThis question was posed to me in an internship interview.Origin of the question is DRAM Refreshing Techniques topic in section Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer»

Right answer is (d) Apple II PERSONAL computer

For explanation: The Apple II personal computer has a particular memory configuration, periodically the DRAM GETS BLOCKED and is used for video memory accessing to update the SCREEN which can refresh the DRAM.