About this previous year paper
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS – B.Tech (Semester IV), REC-401
This is a 3-hour, 70-mark theory exam designed to assess a student's knowledge of 8085 microprocessor, MSP430 microcontroller, interrupts, buses, interfacing, low-power systems, serial communication, and embedded system concepts.
The paper is divided into three structured sections covering conceptual questions, descriptive explanations, and in-depth analytical / block diagram questions.
SECTION A — Short Conceptual Questions (2 × 7 = 14 Marks)
This section contains 7 brief questions, aimed at testing fundamental concepts of microprocessors and microcontrollers.
Topics include:
Status & control signal generation in 8085 Direct Memory Access (DMA) concept
Microprocessor vs Microcontroller Embedded systems & applications
Low-power modes of MSP430 UART definition
Software interrupts
These questions test basic definitions and quick understanding.
SECTION B — Descriptive Questions (7 × 3 = 21 Marks)
Attempt any 3 out of 5.
This section evaluates understanding of hardware operation, interrupts, buses, register systems, and embedded application design.
Topics include:
Multiplexed Address/Data Bus in 8085, demultiplexing & role of ALE
Interrupts of 8085: maskable / non-maskable, vectored / non-vectored
MSP430 Programming System registers + pull-up/pull-down concepts
Polling vs Interrupt-driven method; MSP430 interrupt sources
Designing a battery-less wireless temperature & humidity sensor using MSP430 + RFID
These questions test theoretical knowledge + practical design ability.
SECTION C — Long Answer / Diagram / Architecture Questions (7 marks each)
Each question has two choices (a or b) requiring strong explanation, block diagrams, and real conceptual depth.
Q3 – Instruction Set & Addressing Modes
Classification of instruction set with examples
Addressing modes of 8085 with examples
Q4 – Programmable ICs (8259A & 8255A)
Block diagram & working of 8259A PIC + interrupt priority
Block diagram of 8255A PPI, modes of operation, BSR & I/O control word
Q5 – Architecture Comparisons & MSP430 Power Concepts
Von Neumann vs Harvard architecture
RISC vs CISC
Active vs standby current consumption in MSP430
Q6 – MSP430 Timers & ADC
MSP430 system clock structure, Watchdog Timer & RTC
MSP430 ADC mechanism + DMA explanation
Q7 – Serial Communication Interfaces
Types of serial interfaces in MSP430 + comparison
I²C protocol & max number of slaves in a single-master bus
These questions require solid theoretical understanding, memory of block diagrams, and accurate technical explanations.
OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE EXAM
This question paper assesses whether the student can:
Explain 8085 processor architecture, buses, interrupts & instruction set
Understand microcontroller concepts using MSP430
Compare architectures (RISC/CISC, Harvard/Princeton)
Implement DMA, serial protocols (UART, I2C), timers & ADC
Design embedded applications using interfacing techniques
Understand low-power operation strategies in microcontrollers
It evaluates both theoretical electronics knowledge and practical embedded-system design skills, essential for careers in IoT, robotics, automation, and embedded engineering.