Addresses that are used by programmers are known as virtual addresses, and the set of such addresses is known as the address space. Space or spot where the address is saved in the main memory is referred to as location or physical address and the set of such locations is ... Read More

Set associative mapping combines direct mapping with fully associative mapping by arrangement lines of a cache into sets. The sets are persistent using a direct mapping scheme. However, the lines within each set are treated as a small fully associative cache where any block that can save in the set ... Read More

In the associative mapping function, any block of main memory can probably consist of any cache block position. It breaks the main memory address into two parts - the word ID and a tag as shown in the figure. To check for a block stored in the memory, the tag ... Read More

An associative memory can be treated as a memory unit whose saved information can be recognized for approach by the content of the information itself instead of by an address or memory location. Associative memory is also known as Content Addressable Memory (CAM).The block diagram of associative memory is shown ... Read More

The data or contents of the main memory that are used generally by the CPU are saved in the cache memory so that the processor can simply create that information in a shorter time. Whenever the CPU requires to create memory, it first tests the cache memory. If the data ... Read More

The memory unit is an important component in any digital computer since it is required for saving programs and information. A very small computer with limited software can fulfill its intended function without the requirement for additional storage capacity.There is only not limited space in one memory unit to contain ... Read More

DMA represents Direct Memory Access. It is a hardware-controlled data transfer technique. An external device is used to control data transfer. The external device generates address and control signals that are required to control data transfer. External devices also allow peripheral devices to directly access memory. The external device which ... Read More

An interrupt I/O is a process of data transfer in which an external device or a peripheral informs the CPU that it is ready for communication and requests the attention of the CPU.I/O ConfigurationThe terminals send and receive serial information. Each portion of serial data has eight bits of alphanumeric ... Read More

In multilevel interrupts, more than one interrupt pin is present in the processor. Hence, interrupts can be recognized by the CPU on getting an interrupt request from some of the interrupt pins.The figure shows the multilevel interrupt system.Let us now discuss the process flow of a multilevel interrupt. When the ... Read More

In single level interrupts, many devices can interrupt the processor at the same time to attend to their requests. But all the devices raise requests through a single input pin of the CPU. When interrupted, the CPU must identify the device that raised the request. Once the I/O port is ... Read More