DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION

8051 MICROCONTROLLER AND INTERFACING

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
III YEAR

UNIT – I

1. The internal RAM memory of the 8051 is:

A
32 bytes
.

B
64 bytes
.

C
128 bytes
.

D
256 bytes
.
Answer: Option C

2. The 8051 has ________ 16-bit counter/timers.

A
1
.

B
2
.

C
3
.

D
4
.
Answer: Option B

3. The 8051 has ________ parallel I/O ports.

A
2
.

B
3
.

C
4
.
 D
5
.
Answer: Option C

4.The total external data memory that can be interfaced to the 8051 is:

A
32K
.

B
64K
.

C
128K
.

D
256K
.
Answer: Option B

5.The total amount of external code memory that can be interfaced to the 8051 is:
A
32K
.

B
64K
.

C
128K
.

D
256K
.
Answer: Option B

6.The I/O port that does not have a dual-purpose role is:

A
port 0
.

B
port 1
.

C
port 2
.

D
port 3
.
Answer: Option B

7. An alternate function of port pin P3.0 (RXD) in the 8051 is:

A
serial port input
.

B
serial port output
.

C
memory write strobe
.

D
memory read strobe
.
Answer: Option A

8. 8051 series has how many 16 bit registers?

a) 2
b) 3
c) 1
d) 0

Answer: a Explanation: It has two 16 bit registers DPTR and PC.

9. Which pin of the external hardware is said to exhibit INT0 interrupt?
a) pin no 10
b) pin no 11
c) pin no 12
d) pin no 13

Answer: c Explanation: INT0 interrupt is caused when pin no 12 in the

hardware of the 8051 controller is enabled with a low leveled pulse.

1. 8051 microcontrollers are manufactured by which of the following companies?

a) Atmel
b) Philips
c) Intel
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: 8051 microcontrollers are manufactured by Intel, Atmel, Philips/Signetics,
Infineon, Dallas Semi/Maxim.
2. AT89C2051 has RAM of:
a) 128 bytes
b) 256 bytes
c) 64 bytes
d) 512 bytes
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: It has 128 bytes of RAM in it.
3. 8051 series has how many 16 bit registers?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 1
d) 0
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: It has two 16 bit registers DPTR and PC.
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4. When 8051 wakes up then 0x00 is loaded to which register?
a) PSW
b) SP
c) PC
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: When 8051 wakes up, Program Counter (PC) loaded with 0000H.
Because of this in 8051 first opcode is stored in ROM address at 0000H.
5. When the microcontroller executes some arithmetic operations, then the flag bits of
which register are affected?
a) PSW
b) SP
c) DPTR
d) PC
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: It stands for program status word. It consists of carry, auxiliary carry,
overflow, parity, register bank select bits etc which are affected during such operations.
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6. How are the status of the carry, auxiliary carry and parity flag affected if the write
instruction
MOV A,#9C
ADD A,#64H
a) CY=0,AC=0,P=0
b) CY=1,AC=1,P=0
c) CY=0,AC=1,P=0
d) CY=1,AC=1,P=1
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: On adding 9C and 64, a carry is generated from D3 and from the D7 bit
so CY and AC are set to 1. In the result, the number of 1’s present are even so parity
flag is set to zero.
7. How are the bits of the register PSW affected if we select Bank2 of 8051?
a) PSW.5=0 and PSW.4=1
b) PSW.2=0 and PSW.3=1
c) PSW.3=1 and PSW.4=1
d) PSW.3=0 and PSW.4=1
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: Bits of PSW register are CY, AC, F0, RS1, RS0, OV, -, P so for selecting
bank2 RS1=1 and RS0=0 which are fourth and third bit of the register respectively.
8. If we push data onto the stack then the stack pointer
a) increases with every push
b) decreases with every push
c) increases & decreases with every push
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: If we push elements onto the stack then the stack pointer increases with
every push of element.
9. On power up, the 8051 uses which RAM locations for register R0- R7
a) 00-2F
b) 00-07
c) 00-7F
d) 00-0F
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: On power up register bank 0 is selected which has memory address from
00H-07H.
10. How many bytes of bit addressable memory is present in 8051 based
microcontrollers?
a) 8 bytes
b) 32 bytes
c) 16 bytes
d) 128 bytes
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: 8051 microcontrollers have 16 bytes of bit addressable memory

1. “DJNZ R0, label” is ________ byte instruction.

a) 2
b) 3
c) 1
d) Can’t be determined
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: DJNZ is 2-byte instruction. This means jump can be of -128 to +127
locations with respect to PC. Here -128 means upward or backward jump and +127
means downward or forward jump.
2. JZ, JNZ, instructions checked content of _______ register.
a) DPTR
b) B
c) A
d) PSW
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: JZ and JNZ instructions checked the content of A register and if condition
was satisfied or true then jump to target address.
3. Calculate the jump code for again and here if code starts at 0000H
MOV R1,#0
MOV A,#0
MOV R0,#25H
AGAIN:ADD A,#0ECH
JNC HERE
HERE: INC R1
DJNZ R0,AGAIN
MOV R0,A
END
a) F3,02
b) F9,01
c) E9,01
d) E3,02
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Loop address is calculated by subtracting destination address and the
address next to the source address.
So here if we start with 0000H
then source address is 0008H and the destination address is 0004H
So loop address is 04-0A=E9
4. When the call instruction is executed the topmost element of stack comes out to be
a) the address where stack pointer starts
b) the address next to the call instruction
c) address of the call instruction
d) next address of the stack pointer
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The topmost element of the stack is the address of the instruction next to
the call instruction so that when RET is executed then PC is filled with that address and
so the pointer moves to the main program and continue with its routine task.

5. LCALL instruction takes

a) 2 bytes
b) 4 bytes
c) 3 bytes
d) 1 byte
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: LCALL instruction moves the pointer to a 16 bit address so it is a 3 byte
instruction.
6. Are PUSH and POP instructions are a type of CALL instructions?
a) yes
b) no
c) none of the mentioned
d) cant be determined
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: PUSH and POP instructions are not CALL instructions because in POP
and PUSH instructions the pointer does not move to any location specified by its
address which is the fundamental of CALL instruction, so it is not a type of CALL
instruction.
7. What is the time taken by one machine cycle if crystal frequency is 20MHz?
a) 1.085 micro seconds
b) 0.60 micro seconds
c) 0.75 micro seconds
d) 1 micro seconds
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: Time taken by one machine cycle is calculated by the inverse of a (crystal
frequency) /12
8. Find the number of times the following loop will be executed
MOV R6,#200
BACK:MOV R5,#100
HERE:DJNZ R5, HERE
DJNZ R6,BACK
END
a) 100
b) 200
c) 20000
d) 2000
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: It will be executed 200*100 times.
9. What is the meaning of the instruction MOV A,05H?
a) data 05H is stored in the accumulator
b) fifth bit of accumulator is set to one
c) address 05H is stored in the accumulator
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: If we need to store the address in the accumulator, then directly the
address is moved to it unlikely of using # used for storing data in any register.
10. Do the two instructions mean the same?
1) BACK: DEC R0
JZ BACK
2) BACK: DJNZ RO, BACK
a) yes
b) no
c) cant be determined
d) yes and the second one is preferred
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: In the first statement, when the decrements approach zero then the jump
moves back and in the second statement, when the result after decrements is not zero,
then it jumps back
How many rows and columns are present in a 16*2 alphanumeric LCD?
a) rows=2, columns=32
b) rows=16, columns=2
c) rows=16, columns=16
d) rows=2, columns=16
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: 16*2 alphanumeric LCD has 2 rows and 16 columns.

2. How many data lines are there in a 16*2 alphanumeric LCD?

a) 16
b) 8
c) 1
d) 0
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: There are eight data lines from pin no 7 to pin no 14 in an LCD.

3. Which pin of the LCD is used for adjusting its contrast?

a) pin no 1
b) pin no 2
c) pin no 3
d) pin no 4
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Pin no 3 is used for controlling the contrast of the LCD.

4. For writing commands on an LCD, RS bit is

a) set
b) reset
c) set & reset
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: For writing commands on an LCD, RS pin is reset.

5. Which command of an LCD is used to shift the entire display to the right?
a) 0x1C
b) 0x18
c) 0x05
d) 0x07
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: 0x1C is used to shift the entire display to the right.

6. Which command is used to select the 2 lines and 5*7 matrix of an LCD?
a) 0x01
b) 0x06
c) 0x0e
d) 0x38
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: 0x38 is used to select the 2 lines and 5*7 matrix of an LCD.

7. Which of the following step/s is/are correct for sending data to an LCD?
a) set the R/W bit
b) set the E bit
c) set the RS bit
d) all of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: To send data to an LCD, RS pin should be set so that LCD will come to know that it will
receive data which has to display on the screen. R/W pin should be reset as data has to be displayed (i.e.
write to the LCD). High to low pulse must be applied to the E pin when data is supplied to data pins of
the LCD.

8. Which of the following step/s is/are correct to perform reading operation from an LCD?
a) low to high pulse at E pin
b) R/W pin is set high
c) low to high pulse at E pin & R/W pin is set high
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: For reading operations, R/W pin should be made high and added to it, a low to high pulse is
also generated at the E pin.

9. Which instruction is used to select the first row first column of an LCD?
a) 0x08
b) 0x0c
c) 0x80
d) 0xc0
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: 0x80 is used to select the first row first column of an LCD.

10. The RS pin is _________ for an LCD.

a) input
b) output
c) input & output
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The RS pin is an input pin for an LCD.

1. Which of the following steps detects the key in a 4*4 keyboard matrix about the key that is being
pressed?
a) masking of bits
b) ensuring that initially, all keys are open
c) checking that whether the key is actually pressed or not
d) all of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: For detecting that whether the key is actually pressed or not, firstly this must be ensured
that initially all the keys are closed. Then we need to mask the bits individually to detect that which key
is pressed. Then we need to check that is the key actually pressed or not, by checking that whether the
key pressed for a time more than 20 micro seconds.

2. What is described by this command: CJNE A,#00001111b, ROW1

a) it masks the bit and then jumps to the label where ROW1 is written
b) it makes the value of the accumulator 0FH and then jumps at the address where ROW1 label is
written
c) it compares the value of the accumulator with 0FH and jumps to the location where ROW1 label is
there if the value becomes equal
d) it compares the value of the accumulator with 0FH and jumps to the location where ROW1 label is
there if the value is not equal
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: This particular command CJNE A,#00001111b, ROW1 compares the value of the
accumulator with OFH and jumps to ROW1 address if the value is not equal.

3. To detect that in which column, the key is placed?

a) we can mask the bits and then check it
b) we can rotate the bits and then check that particular bit which is set or reset(according to the
particular condition)
c) none of the mentioned
d) all of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: We can mask or we can even rotate the bits to check that particularly in which column is
the key placed.

4. In reading the columns of a matrix, if no key is pressed we should get all in binary notation
a) 0
b) 1
c) F
d) 7
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: If no key is pressed, then all the keys show 1 as they are all connected to power supply.

5. If we need to operate a key of a keyboard in an interrupt mode, then it will generate what kind of
interrupt?
a) ES
b) EX0/EX1
c) T0/T1
d) RESET
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: If a key is to operate in an interrupt mode then it will generate an external hardware
interrupt.
6. To identify that which key is being pressed, we need to:
a) ground all the pins of the port at a time
b) ground pins of the port one at a time
c) connect all the pins of the port to the main supply at a time
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: To detect that which key is being pressed, we need to ground the pins one by one.

7. Key press detection and Key identification are:

a) the same processes
b) two different works are done in Keyboard Interfacing
c) none of the mentioned
d) any of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: They are two different works that are involved in Keyboard Interfacing. One is used for
checking that which key is being actually pressed and the other is used to check that is the key actually
pressed or not.

1. Why two pins for ground are available in ADC0804?

a) for controlling the ADCON0 and ADCON1 register of the controller
b) for controlling the analog and the digital pins of the controller
c) for both parts of the chip respectively
d) for isolate analog and digital signal
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Two grounds are available in ADC0804 to isolate analog signal from digital signal. This
isolation provides accuracy in digital output.

2. What is the function of the WR pin?

a) its active high input used to inform ADC0804 to the end of conversion
b) its active low input used to inform ADC0804 to the end of conversion
c) its active low input used to inform ADC0804 to the start of conversion
d) its active high input used to inform ADC0804 to the start of conversion
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: WR is active low input used to inform the ADC0804 to start the conversion process.
3. State which of the following statements are false?
a) CLK IN pin used for External Clock Input or Internal Clock with external RC element
b) INTR pin tells about the end of the conversion
c) ADC0804 IC is an 8 bit parallel ADC in the family of the ADC0800 series
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: CLK IN pin is used to tell about the conversion time, INTR pin tells about the end of the
conversion and ADC0804 has a resolution of 8 bits only so all three statements are true.

4. While programming the ADC0808/0809 IC what steps are followed?

a) select the analog channel, start the conversion, monitor the conversion, display the digital results
b) select the analog channel, activate the ALE signal (L to H pulse), start the conversion, monitor the
conversion, read the digital results
c) select the analog channel, activate the ALE signal (H to L pulse), start the conversion, monitor the
conversion, read the digital results
d) select the channel, start the conversion, end the conversion
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: While programming the ADC0808/0809 IC firstly we need to select the channel from the A,
B, C pins. Then we need to activate the ALE signal, this is needed to latch the address. Then we start the
conversion from the WR pin. After monitoring the INTR pin we get to know about the end of the
conversion. Then we activate the OE enable to read out data out of the ADC chip.

5. In ADC0808/0809 IC which pin is used to select Step Size?

a) Vref
b) Vin
c) Vref/2 & Vin
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Step Size is calculated by formula Vref/(2 n). As ADC0808/0809 8-bit ADC value of n=8.
Therefore formula becomes Vref/(2 8) = Vref/256. If Vref = 5V then Step Size will be 5/256 i.e. 19.53mV.

6. What is the difference between ADC0804 and MAX1112?

a) ADC0804 has 8 bits and MAX1112 has 1 bit for data output
b) ADC0804 is used for adc and dac conversions whereas MAX1112 is used for serial data transmissions
c) ADC0804 has 32 bits and MAX1112 has 3 bit for data output
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: ADC0804 is used for parallel ADC and MAX1112 is used for serial ADC.

7. Which of the following statements are true about DAC0808?

a) parallel digital data to analog data conversion
b) it has current as an output
c) all of the mentioned
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: DAC0804 is used for parallel data to analog data conversion.

8. 8 input DAC has ________

a) 8 discrete voltage levels
b) 64 discrete voltage levels
c) 124 discrete voltage levels
d) 256 discrete voltage levels
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: For n input DAC has 2^n discrete voltage levels.

9. INTR, WR signal is an input/output signal pin?

a) both are output
b) both are input
c) one is input and the other is output
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: INTR pin tells about the end of the conversion (output) and WR pin tells us to start the
conversion (input).

10. What is the function of the SCLK pin in MAX1112?

a) It is used to bring data in
b) It is used to bring data out and send in the control byte, one at a time
c) It is used to get output clock
d) It is used to get serial output
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: SCLK is used to bring data out and send in the control byte.
The 8255 is a ______ chip.
a) Input/Output
b) Analog to Digital
c) Digital to analog
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The 8255 is Input/Output (I/O) chip. It has three separate accessible ports. The 8255 chip is
used to expand the I/O ports of microcontrollers.

2. Which pins of a microcontroller are directly connected with 8255?

a) RD
b) WR
c) D0-D7
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: RD, WR, D0-D7 all are directly connected to the 8051 for telling the chip about the control
signals and also for transferring the data.

3. Find the control word for PA = out, PB = in, PCL = out, PCH = out (Mode0)?
a) 0x02H
b) 0x82H
c) 0x83H
d) 0x03H
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The value that is being loaded in the control word is 10000010b for PB as an input port and
all others as the output ports being operated in mode0. The hex equivalent of 10000010b → 0x82H.

4. Which pins are used to select the ports and the control register?
a) CS
b) A1
c) A0
d) All of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: CS pin is an active low input pin for 8255 and it is used for selecting a chip. A0 and A1 pins
are used for select ports and the control register.
5. What is the value of the control register when RESET button is set to zero?
a) 0x00H
b) 0xFFH
c) 0x11H
d) value remains the same
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: RESET is active-high signal input into the 8255 used to clear the control register. When
RESET is activated (i.e. set to high), all ports are initialized as input mode. Hence the value of the control
register remains the same as it is even when the RESET button is set to zero.

6. Why MOVX instruction is being used to access the ports of the 8255?
a) because 8255 is connecting a microcontroller in memory mapped I/O configuration
b) because 8255 is used to access the external communication
c) because 8255 is used to access the data transfer
d) because 8255 is used to access the interfacing of LCD, motor etc
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: As 8255 is connecting a microcontroller in memory mapped I/O configuration. This means
that memory space used to access 8255 (i.e. 8255 is treated as external memory). MOVX instruction is
used to access external memory locations.

7. What is correct about the BSR mode from below?

a) In BSR mode, only the individual bits of PORT A can be programmed
b) In BSR mode, only the individual bits of PORT B can be programmed
c) In BSR mode, only the individual bits of PORT C can be programmed
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: BSR (Bit Set/Rest) mode is used to program individual bits of PORT C only.

8. How many pins of the 8255 can be used as the I/O ports?
a) 8
b) 16
c) 24
d) 32
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: There are 3 ports available in the 8255 so 24 pins are available for the I/O ports pins.

What is the principle on which electromagnetic relays operate?

a) electromagnetic induction
b) motor control
c) switching
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Electromagnetic relays work on the principle of electromagnetic induction. It is used as a
switch in industrial controls, automobile and appliances. It allows the isolation of the sections of a
system with two different voltage sources.

2. What are DPDT relays?

a) Single pole, single throw
b) Single pole, double throw
c) Double pole, double throw
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: In DPDT relay, there are two poles and two throws (i.e.contacts). For each pole there are
two contacts i.e. normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC). The contacts can be NO or NC.
Generally, contact is NC when the coil is not energized. When the coil is energized both poles become
NC.

3. Why do we need a ULN2803 in driving a relay?

a) for switching a motor
b) for increasing the current
c) for increasing the power
d) for switching the voltage
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: We need a ULN2803 for driving a relay because the relay coil requires 10mA or more
current to be energized. If microcontroller pins are not able to provide sufficient current to drive relays
then we need ULN2803 for driving relays.

4. Why are solid-state relays advantageous over electromechanical relays?

a) they need zero voltage circuit
b) they need less current to be energised
c) they need less voltage to be energised
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Solid-state relays are advantageous over electromechanical relays because their switching
response time is much faster than electromechanical relays as solid-state relays are made-up of
semiconductor materials. Also, solid-state relays required low input current for operation and small
packaging make them ideal for microcontrollers.

5. What are optoisolators?

a) it is a driver
b) it is a thing isolated from the entire world
c) it is a device that can be used as an electromagnetic relay without a driver
d) none of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Optoisolators are devices that can be used as an electromagnetic relay without a driver. It
usually consists of a led (transmitter) and a photoresistive receiver.

6. How can we control the speed of a stepper motor?

a) by controlling its switching rate
b) by controlling its torque
c) by controlling its wave drive 4 step sequence
d) cant be controlled
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Speed of a stepper motor can be controlled by changing its switching speed or by changing
the length of the time delay loop.

7. Which of the following can be a unit for torque?

a) kg/m2
b) ounce-inch
c) kg-m3
d) g/m
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Torque is equal to the force applied at a particular distance. So its unit can be ounce-inch.

8. The RPM rating given for the DC motor is for?

a) no-loaded
b) loaded
c) none of the mentioned
d) all of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: RPM rating given for a DC motor is for a no-loaded condition.

9. How can we change the speed of a DC motor using PWM?

a) By changing amplitude of PWM
b) By keeping fixed duty cycle
c) By changing duty cycle of PWM
d) By increasing power of PWM
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: We can change the speed of a DC motor using PWM by changing the duty cycle of PWM.
Changing duty cycle means changing ON and OFF timing of PWM. Even if amplitude of PWM is fixed by
increasing the ON time of PWM increases the speed of the DC motor.

10. How can the direction of the DC motor be changed?

a) by changing the torque
b) by changing the switching speed
c) by changing the polarity of voltages connected to the leads
d) by changing the RPM rating
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The direction of the DC motor can be changed by changing the polarity of the voltages
connected to its leads.