Microprocessors &

Microcontrollers
8051 Assembly Language Programming/
Instruction Sets
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING

8051 Assembly Language

Programming/Instruction Sets
The microcontroller 8051 instructions set includes 110 instructions, 49 of which are single
byte instructions, 45 are two bytes instructions and 17 are three bytes instructions. The
instructions format consists of a function mnemonic followed by destination and source field.
All the instructions of microcontroller 8051 may be classified based on the functional aspect
are given below
 Data transfer group.
 Arithmetic group.
 Logical group.
 Bit manipulation group.
 Branching or Control transfer group.

ADDRESSING MODES
The instructions of 8051 may be classified based on the source or destination type
 Register addressing.
 Direct addressing.
 Register Indirect addressing.
 Immediate addressing.
 Base register + Index register.

Immediate Addressing Modes

When the 8051 executes an immediate data move, the program counter is automatically
incremented to point to the byte(s) following the opcode byte in the program memory.
Whatever, data is found there is copied to the destination address. The mnemonic for
immediate data is the pound sign (#).
MOV A, # 20H: Load 20H into A
MOV R2, # 42H: Load the decimal value 42H into R2
MOV RO, # 24H: Load the decimal value 24H into RO
MOV DPTR, #4000H: DPTR=4000H

Register Addressing Modes

Register addressing modes involves the use of register to hold the data to be manipulated.
Example of register addressing mode follow.
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
MOV A, R1 ; Copy the contents of Rl into A
MOV R2, A ; Copy contents of A into R2
ADD A, R5 ; Add the contents of R5 to contents
MOV R5, A ; save accumulator of R5

Direct Addressing Modes

There are 128 bytes of RAM in the 8051, The Internal RAM uses addressing from 00H to
7FH to address each byte.
 RAM locations 00-1FH are assigned to the from bands of eight working register R0 to
R7
 RAM locations 20-2FH are set aside as bit addressable space to save single bit data
 RAM locations 30-7FH are available as a place to save byte sized data.
Example of Direct addressing mode
MOV Rl, 20H ; same content of RAM location 20H in Rl
MOV 42H, A ; same content of A is RAM location 42H
The SFR addresses between 80H to FFH, since the addresses 00H to 7FH are addresses of
RAM memory inside the 8051. All the address spaces of 80 to FF are not used bytes the SFR.
The unused locations 80H to FFH are reserved and must not be used by the 8051
programmer.

Indirect Addressing Mode

In the register indirect addressing mode, a register is used the contents of R0 and R1 often
called a data pointer, as a pointer to location in 256 bytes block and the 256 bytes of internal
RAM or the lower, 256 bytes of external data memory execution of PUSH and POP is also
uses indirect addressing.
Example:
MOV @ R0, # n ; copy immediate byte A to the address in R0
MOV @ R0, A; copy A to RAM location R0 pointers
MOV A, # Rp ; copy the contents of the address in Rp to A.
Note:
 Number in register Rp must be RAM address
 R0 or Rl register for indirect addressing
Table opcode using immediate, register direct & indirect addressing mode
Mnemonic Operations
MOV A, @ R0 Copy the content of the address in R0 to the A register
MOV @ Rl, #35H Copy the number 35H to the address in Rl
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
MOV ADD,@R0 Copy the content of the address in R0 to Add
MOV @ Rl & A Copy the content of the address in Rl to A register
MOV @ R0, 80 Copy the content 80 port 0 pins to the address into R0
Example of Indirect Addressing mode
It is widely used is accessing data elements of from program memory an indirect move from
the location whose address in the sum of a base register (DPTR or PC) and index register
accumulator. These mode facilities lookup accesses.
This instruction used for the purpose is "MOV A, @A + DPTR "
MOV DPTR, # 4200 Copy the number of 4200 to DPTR
MOV A, #25 Copy the number 25 to A
MOV A, @A + DPTR Copy the content of 4225 to A
Note:
4200 + 25 = > 4225
Another type of indexed addressing is used is the "case jump" instruction. In this case, the
destination address of a jump instruction is completed as the sum of the base pointer and the
accumulator data.

INSTRUCTION SET OF 8051 MICROCONTROLLER

All members of the 8051 family execute the same instructions set. The 8051 instructions set
is optimized for 8-bit content application. The Intel 8051 has excellent and most powerful
instructions set offers possibilities in control area, serial Input/Output, arithmetic, byte and bit
manipulation.
It has 111 instructions they are
 49 single byte instructions
 45 two bytes instructions
 17 three bytes instructions
The- instructions set is divided into four groups, they are
 Data transfer instructions
 Arithmetic instructions
 Logical instructions
 Call and Jump instructions
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
DATA TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS
MOV <dest-byte>, <src-byte>: ( Move byte variable)
This instruction copies the contents of the source location to the destination location. The
contents of the source location are unchanged.
Examples
Instruction Algorithm Example Function
format
MOVA, Rn A = Rn MOV A, R1 Move byte form register Rn to
accumulator
MOV A, direct A = direct MOV A, 40H Move byte from direct address
to accumulator
MOV A, @ Ri A=[[Ri]] MOVA,@ R0 Move the content of memory
location to accumulator
MOV A, # data A = # data MOV A, #31 H Move immediate data to
accumulator
MOV Rn, A Rn = A MOV R5, A Move data from accumulator to
register Rn
MOV Rn, direct Rn = direct MOV R3, 30H Move data from direct address
to register Rn.
MOV Rn, # data Rn = # data MOV R7, Move immediate data to register
#20H Rn.
MOV direct, A direct =A MOV 80H, A Move data from accumulator to
direct address
MOV direct, Rn direct = Rn MOV 30H, R5 Move data from register to
direct address
MOV direct, direct = direct MOV 20H, Move data form source direct
direct 30H address to the destination direct
address.
MOV direct, @Ri direct = [[Ri]] MOV 20H, Move data from address
@R1 specified in register Ri to direct
address.
MOV direct, direct = #data MOV 10H, Move immediate data to direct
#data #10H address

MOV @Ri, A [[Ri]] = A MOV @ R0,A Move data form accumulator to

memory location pointed by Ri
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
MOV @Ri, [[Ri]]=direct MOV @R0, Move data from direct address
direct 30H to the memory location pointed
by Ri.
MOV @Ri, #data [[Ri]]= #data MOV @Ro, Move immediate data to
30H memory location pointed by the
Ri register of selected register
bank.

MOV DPTR, # data 16:

 Load data pointer with a 16 bit constant
 Operation: (DPTR)  #data15-0
(DPH)  #data15-8 (
DPL)  #data7-0
 This instruction will load the data pointer with the 16-bit constant indicated.
 Example : MOV DPTR, #2476 H : This instruction will load the immediate data 2476
H into the Data Pointer. DPH will hold 24H while DPL will hold 76H.

MOV A, @ A + <base register>

 Operation: MOV A, @ A + DPTR : [A]  [[A] + [DPTR]] or MOV A, @ A + PC :
[PC]  [PC] +1, [A]  [A]+[PC]
 This instruction will load the accumulator with a code byte or constant from the
program memory.

MOVX, <dest-byte>, <src-byte>

 The MOVX instructions transfer data between the accumulator and a byte of external
data memory.
 Depending on whether the indirect address provided to the external data RAM is eight
bit or 16 bit, there are two types of instructions.
 In the first type, the contents of register R0 or Rl of current register bank provide an
8-bit address that is multiplexed with data on port 0. Eight bits are sufficient for
external I/O expansion decoding or for a relatively small RAM array.
 In the second type, the Data Pointer is used for generating 16-bit address. This is done
for larger RAM array. Port 2 outputs the high-order address bits (the contents of
DPH), while Port 0 output the low-order address bits (contents of DPL) multiplexed
with data.
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
Instruction Description
MOVX A, @Ri This instruction will copy the data from 8 bit address pointed
by register Ri of the selected register bank to the
accumulator.
MOVX A, @DPTR This instruction will copy the contents of external data
memory location, pointed by DPTR to the accumulator.
MOVX @Ri, A This instruction will copy the contents of the accumulator to
the external data memory location pointed by register Ri of
selected register bank.
MOVX @ DPTR, A This instruction will copy the contents of the accumulator to
the 16-bit address, pointed by DPTR.

PUSH <direct>
This instruction copies the data from the source address onto the stack.
Operation
[SP]  [SP] + 1, [[SP]]  direct
Addressing mode
Direct addressing
Example
Let SP =0AH and data pointer = 1234H
PUSH DPL
PUSH DPH
The first instruction PUSH DPL will set the SP = 0BH and store 34H in internal RAM
location 0BH. The second instruction PUSH DPH will set the SP = 0CH and store 12H in
internal RAM location 0BH. The stack pointer will remain at 0CH.
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
POP <direct>
This instruction copies data from the stack to the destination location.
Operation
(direct)  [[SP]], [SP]  [SP] -1
Addressing mode
Direct addressing.
Example
Let SP = 35 H and data at internal RAM locations 34H be 52H, then
instruction POP DPL will level the stack pointer to value 34H and DPL =
52H.

XCH A, <Byte variable>

Function
Exchange accumulator with byte variable.
Operation
[A]   [byte variable]
This instruction will load the accumulator with the contents of memory location pointed by
byte variable. At the same time the original accumulator contents arc written to the memory
location pointed by byte variable.
The source/destination operand can use register, direct, or register indirect addressing.
Mnemonic Example Description
XCH A, Rn XCIH A, R1 This instruction will load the contents of register
Rl of selected register bank in the accumulator
and at the same time the contents of original
accumulator will be copied in register Rl
XCH A, direct XCH A, 10H This instruction will load the contents of
memory location whose address is 1011 to the
accumulator and at the same time the contents
of accumulator are transferred to the memory
location whose address is 10H
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
XCH A, @Ri XCH A,@RO This instruction will load the contents of
memory location pointed by register R0 of
selected register bank to the accumulator and at
the same time the contents of accumulator arc
copied lo the memory location pointed by R0
register of the selected register bank.
XCI TO A, @Ri XCHDA, @R0 This instruction exchange the lower nibble of
accumulator (bit 3-0) with the lower nibble of
the memory location indirectly addressed by the
specified register R0/R1.

Data Transfer Instruction (summary)

These instructions move the content of one register to another one (the register which content
is moved is not altered). If they have the suffix "X" (MOVX), the data is exchanged with
external memory.
Data Transfer Instruction
Mnemonic Description Byte Cycle
Number Number
MOV A, Rn Move R register to Accumulator 1 1
MOV A, Rx Move directly addressed Rx register
2 2
to Accumulator
MOV A, @Ri Move indirectly addressed register to
1 1
Accumulator
MOV A, #X Store number X in accumulator 2 2
MOV Rn, A Move Accumulator to R register 1 1
MOV Rn, Rx Move directly addressed Rx register
2 2
to R register
MOV Rn, #X Move number X to R register 1 2
MOV Rx, A Move Accumulator to directly
2 2
addressed Rx register
MOV Rx, Rn Move R register to directly addressed
2 1
Rx register
MOV Rx, Ry Move directly addressed register Ry
3 3
to directly addressed Rx register
MOV Rx, @Ri Move indirectly addressed register to
2 2
directly addressed Rx register
 AME
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
MOV Rx, #X Store number X in directly addressed
3 3
Rx register
MOV @Ri, A Move Accumulator to indirectly
1 1
addressed register
MOV @Ri, Rx Move directly addressed Rx register
2 2
to indirectly addressed register
MOV Rx, #X Store number X in directly addressed
3 3
Rx register
MOV @Ri, A Move Accumulator to indirectly
1 1
addressed register
MOV @Ri, Rx Move directly addressed Rx register
2 2
to indirectly addressed register
MOV @Ri, #X Store number X in indirectly
2 2
addressed register
MOV DPTR, #X Store number X in Data Pointer 3 3
MOVC A, @A+PC Move register from Program
Memory (address = A + PC) to 1 3
Accumulator
MOVX A, @Ri Move data from external memory (8-
1 2
bit address) to Accumulator
MOVXA,@DPTR Move data from external memory
1 2
(16-bit address) to Accumulator
MOVX@ Ri, A Move Accumulator to external
1 2
memory register (8-bit address)
MOVX @DPTR, A Move Accumulator to external
1 2
memory register (16-bit address)
PUSH Rx Push directly addressed Rx register
in the part of RAM provided for 2 2
Stack
POP Rx Pop data from Stack part of RAM.
Store it in directly addressed Rx 2 2
register
XCH A, Rn Exchange Accumulator with R
1 1
register
XCH A, Rx Exchange Accumulator with directly
2 2
addressed Rx register
 AM
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
XCH A, @Ri Exchange accumulator with
1 1
indirectly addressed register
XCHD A, @Ri Exchange 4 lower bits in
accumulator with indirectly 1 1
addressed register

ARITHMETIC INSTRUCTIONS:
ADD A, <src-byte>
Operation
[A]  [A] + <src-byte>
 This instruction adds the byte variable indicated to the accumulator. The result is
contained in the accumulator.
 All the addressing modes can be used for source: an immediate number, a register,
direct address, and indirect address.
Mnemonic Example Description
ADD A, Rn ADD A, R0 This instruction will add the byte in register Rn
of the selected register bank with the byte in
accumulator. The result is contained in the
accumulator
ADD A, direct ADD A, 20H This instruction will add the contents of the
memory location whose direct address is
specified in the instruction with the accumulator
contents. The result of addition will he stored in
the accumulator.
ADD A, @ Ri ADD A, @ R0 This instruction will add the contents of memory
location whose address is pointed by register Ri
of the selected register bank with contents of the
accumulator. The result of addition is stored in
the accumulator
ADD A, # data ADD A, # 30H This instruction will add the immediate 8 bit
data with data in the accumulator. The result of
addition is stored in the accumulator.

ADDC A, <src-byte>
Operation
[A]  [A] + < src-byte> + carry
 This instruction will add the byte variable indicated, the carry flag and the
accumulator contents. The result of addition is stored in the accumulator.
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
 All the addressing modes can be used for source : an immediate number, a register,
direct address, indirect address.
Mnemonics Addressing Example Description
mode
ADDC A, Rn Register ADDC A, Rl This instruction will add the
addressing contents of accumulator with
the contents of register Rn of
the selected register bank and
carry flag. The result of
addition is stored in
accumulator.
ADDC A, Direct ADDC A, 10H This instruction will add the
direct addressing contents of memory location
whose direct address is
specified in the instruction with
the contents of accumulator and
carry. The result of addition is
stored in the accumulator.
ADDC A, @Ri Register Indirect ADDC A, This instruction will add the
@R0 contents of memory location
pointed by register Ri of
selected register bank with the
accumulator and earn' flag. The
result is stored in accumulator.
ADDC A, #data Immediate ADDC A, This instruction will add the
addressing #40H contents of accumulator with
immediate data specified in the
instruction along with carry.

SUBB A, < src-byte>

Operation
[A]  [A] - <src-byte> - CY
 This instruction subtracts the indicated byte variable and the carry flag contents
together, from the accumulator. The result is stored in accumulator.
 All the addressing modes can be used as source: an immediate number, a register,
direct address, and indirect address.

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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
Mnemonics Addressing Example Description
mode

SUBB A, Rn Register SUBB A, Rl This instruction will subtract the

addressing contents of register Rn of the current
register bank and carry flag together,
from the accumulator. The result is
stored in accumulator.
SUBB A, Direct SUBB A, 10H This instruction will subtract the
direct addressing contents of memory location whose
direct address is specified in the
instruction and carry flag together
from the contents of accumulator.
The result is stored in accumulator.
SUBB A, Register SUBB A, @R0 This instruction will subtract the
@Ri Indirect contents of memory location pointed
by register Ri and contents of carry
flag from the accumulator. The result
is stored in accumulator.
SUBB A, Immediate SUBB A. #40H This instruction will subtract the
#data addressing contents of data specified m the
instruction and contents of carry flag
from the contents of accumulator.
The result is stored in accumulator.

INC <byte>
Operation
byte  byte +1
 This instruction will increment the indicated variable by 1.
 If the byte value is FFH and if it is incremented, then the result will overflow to 00H.
 It supports three addressing modes. Register, direct and register-indirect.
Mnemonics Addressing Example Description
mode
INC Rn Register addressing INC R5 This instruction will increment
the contents of register Rn of
selected register bank by 1.

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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
INC direct Direct addressing INC 10H This instruction will increment
the contents of memory location
whose address is specified in the
instruction by 1
INC @Ri Register Indirect INC, @R0 This instruction will increment
the contents of memory location
that is pointed by register Ri by
1.

INC DPTR
Operation
[DPTR]  [DPTR] + 1
 Addressing mode: Register addressing mode.
 This instruction will increment the contents of Data Pointer by 1.
 A 16-bit increment is performed. An overflow of the low-order byte of the data
pointer (DPL) from 0FFH to 00H will increment the high order byte (DPH).
 DPTR is the only 16-bit register that is incremented.
 Example: let the contents of DPH = 12 H and the contents of DPL = FFH. The
instruction ING DPTR will cause DPL = 13 H and DPL = 00 H.

DEC <byte>
Operation
<byte>  <byte> -1
• This instruction will decrement the indicated variable by 1.
• An original value of 00H will underflow FFH.
• Three operand-addressing modes are allowed: register, direct and register indirect.
o

Mnemonics Addressing mode Example Description

DEC Rn Register DEC R5 This instruction will decrement the

addressing contents of register Rn of selected
register bank by 1-
DEC direct Direct addressing DEC 10H This instruction will decrement the
contents of memory location
whose direct address is specified in
the instruction by 1.

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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
DEC @Ri Register Indirect DEC @R0 This instruction will decrement the
contents of memory location that is
pointed by register Ri by 1.

MUL AB
Operation
[A]7-0  [A] x [B] . [B]15-8
 This instruction multiplies an eight bit unsigned integer in the Accumulator and the 13
register. The low-order byte of the sixteen-bit product is left in the accumulator, and
the high-order byte in B.
 Addressing mode : Register addressing mode.
 Example: Let A = 50 H, B = A0 H after execution of MUL AB the content of register
B = 32 H and register A = 00 H (as (50H) X (A0 M) = (3200H)).

DIV AB
Operation
[A] (Quotient) <- A + B. [BJ (Remainder)
 This instruction divides the unsigned number in accumulator with the unsigned
number in register B.
 Accumulator contents the quotient of the result and register B contains the remainder.
 The contents of A and B, when division by 0 is attempted, are undefined.
 Addressing mode. Register addressing mode.
 Example; Let [A] = FB H and [B] = 12 H then DIV AB will result [A] = 0DH
(quotient), [B] = 11 H (remainder)

DAA
Decimal Adjust Accumulator for addition.

Arithmetic Instructions (Summary)

Mnemonic Description Byte Oscillator
Number Period
ADO A, Rn Add Rn Register to Accumulator 1 1
ADD A, Rx Add directly addressed Rx Register to 2 2
Accumulator
ADD A, @Ri Add indirectly addressed Register to 1 1
Accumulator
ADD A, #X Add number X lo Accumulator 2 2

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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
ADDC A, Rn Add R Register with Carry bit to Accumulator 1 1

ADDC A, Rx Add directly addressed Rx Register with Carry 2 2

bit to Accumulator
ADDC A, Add indirectly addressed Register with Carry bit 1 1
@Ri lo Accumulator
ADDC A, #X Add number X with Carry bit to 2 2
Accumulator
SUBB A, Rn Subtract R Register with borrow from 1 1
Accumulator
SUBB A, Rx Subtract directly addressed Rx Register with 2 2
borrow from Accumulator
SUBB A, Subtract indirectly addressed Register with 1 1
@Ri borrow from .Accumulator
SUBB A, #X Subtract number X with borrow from 2 2
Accumulator
INC Rn Increment R Register by 1 1 1
INC Rx Increment directly addressed Rx Register by 1 2 2

INC @Ri Increment indirectly addressed Register by 1 1 1

DEC A Decrement Accumulator by 1 1 1
DEC Rn Decrement R Register by 1 1 1
DEC Rx Decrement directly addressed Rx Register by 1 2 2

DEC @Ri Decrement indirectly addressed Register by 1 1 1

INC DPTR Increment Data Pointer by 1 1 3
MUL AB Multiply number in Accumulator by B register 1 5

DIY AB Divide number in Accumulator by B register 1 5

DA A Decimal adjust Accumulator according to BCD 1 1
code

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LOGICAL INSTRUCTIONS
ANL <dest-byte>, <src-byte>
 This instruction performs bit wise logical AND operation between the destination and
the source byte. The result is stored at the destination byte.
 The source and destination support four addressing modes: register, direct, register-
indirect, and immediate addressing modes.
Mnemonics Addressing Example Description
mode
ANL A, Rn Register ANL A, This instruction will perform bit wise logical AND
addressing R5 operation between the contents of accumulator and
register Rn of the selected register bank. The result
will be stored in the accumulator
ANL A, Direct ANL A, This instruction will bit wise logically AND the
direct addressing 70H contents of accumulator with the contents of memory
location whose direct address is specified in the
instruction. The result will be stored in the
accumulator
ANL direct, Direct AXL This instruction will bit wise logically AND the
A addressing 30H, A contents of memory location whose direct address is
specified in the instruction with the contents of
accumulator. The result will be stored in the memory
location whose direct address is specified in the
instruction.
ANL A, ®Ri Register ANL A, This instruction will bit wise logically AND the
Indirect @R1 contents of accumulator with the contents of memory
Addressing location pointed by register Ri of the selected
register bank. The result will be stored
ANL A, Immediate ANL A, This instruction will bit wise logically AND the
#data addressing #57H contents of accumulator with the immediate data
specified in the instruction. The result will be stored
in the accumulator.
ANL direct, Immediate ANL This instruction will bit wise logically AND the
#data addressing 54H, contents of memory location whose direct address is
#33H specified in the instruction with the contents of with
the immediate data specified in the instruction. The
result will be stored in the memory location whose
direct address is specified in the instruction.

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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
ORL <dest-byte>, <src-byte>
 This instruction performs bit wise logical OR operation between the destination and
the source byte. The result is stored at the destination byte.
 The source and destination support four addressing modes: register, direct, register-
indirect, and immediate addressing modes.

XRL <dest-byte>, <src-byte>

 This instruction performs bit wise logical Exclusive-OR operation between the
destination and the source byte. The result is stored at the destination byte.
 The source and destination support four addressing modes: register, direct, register-
indirect, and immediate addressing modes.

CLRA
 This instruction will clear all the bits of accumulator to zero.

CPLA
 This instruction will complements all the bits (l's complement) of the accumulator.

RLA
 This instruction will rotate the eight bits in the accumulator by one bit to the left.
 Addressing mode: Register Specific addressing mode.

RLCA
 This instruction will rotate the eight bits in the accumulator and the carry flag together
by one bit to the left
 Addressing mode: Register Specific addressing mode.

RRA
 This instruction will rotate the eight bits in the accumulator by one bit to the right.
 Addressing mode: Register Specific addressing mode.
RRCA
 This instruction will rotate the eight bits in the accumulator and the carry flag together
by one bit to the right.
 Addressing mode: Register Specific addressing mode.
SWAP A
This instruction interchanges the low order and high order nibbles of the accumulator.
Operation:
[A3-0]   [A7-4]
 Addressing mode: Register Specific addressing mode.
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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
TIMER/COUNTER PROGRAMS
To Generate a Square Wave On The Port 1.
MOV SP, #7H ; Initialize stack pointer since we are using
; subroutine program
BACK: MOV P1, #00H ; Send 00H on port 1 to generate low level
; of square wave
ACALL DELAY ; Wait for sometime
MOV P1, #0FFH ; Send FFH on port 1 high level of square wave
ACALL DELAY ; Wait for sometime
SJMP BACK ; Repeat the sequence
DELAY: MOV R1, #0FFH ; Load Count
AGAIN: DJNZ R1, AGAIN ; Decrement count and repeat the process
; until count is zero
RET ; Return to main page

To Generate a Square Wave On the Port Pin P1.0

MOV SP, #7H ; Initialize stack pointer since we are
; using subroutine program
CLR P1.0 ; Send 0 on port 1.0 to generate low level of
; square wave
ACALL DELAY ; Wait for sometime
SETB P1.0 ; Send 1 on port 1.0 to generate high level of
; square wave
ACALL DELAY ; Wait for sometime
SJMP BACK ; Repeat the sequence
DELAY: MOV R1, 0FFH ; Load Count
AGAIN: DJNZ R1, AGAIN ; Decrement count and repeat the process
; until count is zero.
RET ; Return to main program.

Program using Timer 0 to create a 10 kHz square wave on P1.0

ORG 8100H
MOV TMOD, #02H ; 8 bit auto reload mode
MOV TH0, #-50 ; -50 reload value in TH0
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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
SETB TR0 ; start timer
LOOP: JNB TF0, LOOP ; wait for overflow
CLR TF0 ; clear timer overflow flag
CPL P1.0 ; toggle port bit
SJMP LOOP ; repeat
END
The program above creates a square wave on P1.0 with a high-time of 50 μs and a low-time
of 50 μs. Since the interval is less than 256 μs, timer mode 2 can be used. An overflow every
50 μs requires a TH0 reload value of 50 counts less than 00H, or -50.
The program uses a complement bit instruction (CPL) rather than SETB and CLR. Between
each complement operation, a delay of 1/2 the desired period (50 μs) is programmed using
Timer 0 in 8-bit auto-reload mode. The reload value is specified using decimal notation as -
50, rather than using hexadecimal notation. The assembler performs the necessary
conversion. Note that the timer overflow flag (TF0) is explicitly cleared in software after
each overflow.

Program using Timer 0 to create a 1kHz square wave on P1.0

ORG 8100H
MOV TMOD, #01H ; 16 bit timer mode
LOOP: MOV TH0, #0FEH ; -500 (high byte)
MOV TL0, #0CH ; -500 (low byte)
SETB TR0 ; start timer
WAIT: JNB TF0, WAIT ; wait for overflow flag
CLR P1.0 ; toggle port bit
SJMP LOOP ; repeat
END
A 1 kHz square wave requires a high-time of 500 μs and a low-time of 500 μs. Since the
interval is longer than 256 μs, mode 2 cannot be used. Full 16-bit timer mode, mode 1, is

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 AMIE(I) STUDY CIRCLE(REGD.)
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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
required. The main difference in the software is that the timer registers, TL0 and TH0, are
reinitialized after each overflow.
There is a slight discrepancy in the output frequency in the program above. This results from
the extra instructions inserted after the timer overflow to reinitialize the timer. If exactly 1
kHz is required, the reload value for TL0/TH0 must be adjusted somewhat. Such errors do
not occur in auto-reload mode, since the timer is never stopped - it overflows at a consistent
rate set by the reload value in TH0.

PROGRAMMING EXAMPLES

Example (AMIE W12, 10 marks)

List the programming steps needed to receive data serially using 8051 microcontroller and
explain.

Solution

The following steps are taken to program 8051 to receive data serially.
1. The TMOD register is loaded with value 20 H indicating timer 1 is used mode 2 (8 bit
auto reload mode). This timer is used to set band rate.
2. TH1 is loaded with a suitable value to set proper band rate. If crystal frequency is
11.0592 MHz and if we load TH1 with FD we get a band rate of 9600.
3. The SCON register is loaded with the value 50 H, indicating serial mode 1, where 8
bit data is framed with start and stop bits and receive enable is turned on.
4. TR1 flag is set to 1 to start Timer
5. R1 is cleared with the CLR R1 instruction.
6. The R1 flag bit is monitored with the use of the instruction JNB R1, XX to see if an
entire character has been received yet.
7. When Ri is raised SBUF has the serial data byte move the
8. contents to desired memory location.
9. To receive the next character go to step 5.

Example

Write program to receive bytes of data serially and put them in P1. Set the baud rate at
2400, 8-bit data, and 1 stop bit. Assuming crystal frequency 11.0592 MHz.

Solution

MOV TMOD, #20H ; timer l, mode 2 (auto reload)

MOV TH1, #-12 ; 2400 baud
MOV SCON, #50H ; 8-bit. 1 stop, REN enabled

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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
SETB TR1 ; start timer 1
NEXT: JNB R1, NEXT ; wait for char to come in
MOV A, SBUF ; save incoming byte in A
MOV P1, A ; send to port 1
CLR R1 ; get ready to receive next byte
SJMP NEXT ; keep getting data

Example

Write program to send 44H to ports P1 and P2, using (a) their addresses (b) their names.

Solution

(a) MOVA, #44H

M0V P1, A
MOV P2, A
(b) MOVA, #44H
MOV 80, A
MOV 0A0H, A

Example

Write program to copy a block of 8 bytes of data to RAM locations starting at 50H from RAM
locations 30H.

Solution

MOV R0, #30H ; source pointer

MOV R1, #50H ; destination pointer
MOV R3, #8 ; counter
RETURN: MOV A, @R0 ; get a byte from source
MOV @Rl, A ; copy it to destination
INC R0 ; increment source pointer
INC R1 ; increment destination pointer
DJNZ R3, RETURN ; keep doing it for all eight bytes

Example

Write a program for 8051 to transfer serially letter N at 9600 baud, continuously. Assuming
crystal frequency 11.0592 MHz.

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 AMIE(I) STUDY CIRCLE(REGD.)
MICROPROCESSORS & MICROCONTROLLERS
8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
Solution

MOV TMOD, #20H ; timer 1, mode 2 (auto reload)

MOV TH1, #-3 ; 9600 baud rate at 11.0592 MHz
MOV SCON, #50H ; 8-bit, 1 stop, REN enabled
SETB TR1 ; start timer 1
REPEAT: MOV SBUF, #"N" ; letter "N" to be transferred
NEXT: JNB TI, NEXT ; wait for the last bit
CLR TI ; clear TI for next char
SJMP REPEAT ; keep sending N

Example

Add the contents of RAM locations 60H, 61H and 62H. Store the result in RAM locations
41H (MSB) and 40H (LSB).

Solution

1. Add first two numbers.

2. Store carry and result. Result is in accumulator. Carry is indicated by CY flag.
3. Add the third byte to the result. If there is a carry add it to the previous carry.
We now code this algorithm.
MOV 41H, #00H ; Clear the RAM location where MSB has to be stored.
MOV A, 60H ; Move first number to accumulator.
ADD A, 61H ; Add the second number.
MOV R0, A ; Store result in R0.
MOV A, 00H ; Clear accumulator.
ADDC A, 41H ; Add A + CY + Contents of 41.
; Now A = 00H; 41H contains 00H.
; Therefore we essentially get the status of
; CY flag into accumulator.
MOV 41H, A ; Move it to location 41H.
MOV A, R0 ; Get back result of first addition into accumulator.
ADD A, 62H ; Add third byte. Result (LSB) is in accumulator.
MOV 40H, A ; Move result (LSB) to location 40H
MOV A, 00H ; Clear accumulator.
ADDC A, 41H ; Add present carry with previous carry in 41H.
MOV 41H, A ; Move MSB to 4lH.

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 AMIE(I) STUDY CIRCLE(REGD.)
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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
ASSIGNMENT
Q.1. (AMIE S14, 10 marks): Explain the instruction sets of 8051 in detail.
Q.2. (AMIE S10, 20 marks): Explain the following instructions of 8051 microcontroller:
(i) DJNZ R2, THERE
(ii) CJNE A, DIRECT, REL
(iii) PUSH 0
(iv) MOVX A, @DPTR
(v) MOVCA, @ A+DPTR
(vi) LJMP 4100H
(vii) MOV @ R0, # data
(viii) ORL A, @R1
(ix) XCH A, @R0
(x) SETB C
Q.3. (AMIE W10, 10 marks): Explain the following instructions of 8051 microcontrollers: (i) INCA (ii) INC
add (iii) ADD @ RP (iv) ADD CA, #n (v) MOL AB
Q.4. (AMIE S11, 8 marks): Explain the following instructions:
(i) MOV A, # 56H
(ii) MOVC A, @A+DPTR
(iii) DEC @R1
(iv) DJNZ R0 BACK
Q.5. (AMIE W12, 10 marks): Explain the operation of the following instructions of 8051 microcontroller: (i)
SWAPA (ii) MOV A @R1 (iii) MOVx A#R1 (iv) DJNZ R0 TABLE (v) SETB P1.3
Q.6. (AMIE W13, 10 marks): Explain the operation of the following instructions with examples: (i) MOVC A
@A + DPTR (ii) XCHD A, @RO (iii) MOV C, P3.1 (iv) SWAPA (vv) RR A
Q.7. (AMIE W14, 10 marks): Explain the operations of following instructions: (i) CJNE A, # data, LABEL 1
(ii) DJNZ R0, LABEL 2 (iii) RL A (iv) DA A (v) MOVX @ DPTR, A
Q.8. (AMIE S15, 6 marks): What are the significance of DPTR and EA pin?
Q.9. (AMIE S15, 6 marks): Explain why SJMP instruction is used in place of HLT in 8051.
Q.10. (AMIE S15, 6 marks): Explain the operation of CJNE and DJNZ instructions.
Q.11. (AMIE S10, 5 marks): List and explain the logical group of instructions of 8051 microcontroller with
examples.
Q.12. (AMIE W11, 5 marks): Explain any five arithmetic instructions of 8051.
Q.13. (AMIE S12, 16 marks): Write four instructions for each data transfer group, arithmetic group, logical
group and branch group.
Q.14. (AMIE S10, 12, 5 marks): Write a delay program using registers of 8051 microcontroller.
Q.15. (AMIE W10, 10 marks): Write a program to double the number in register R1 and store the result in R2
and R3. The microcontroller used is 8051.
Q.16. (AMIE W10, 10 marks): Illustrate the logical OR operation in 8051 using a program.
Q.17. (AMIE S15, 8 marks): Explain addressing modes of 8051 microcontroller.
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8051 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING A Focused Approach 
Q.18. (AMIE W10, 10 marks): Explain how data is stored and received in 8051 using cell and stack
instructions.
Q.19. (AMIE S11, 12, W12, 8 marks): Write a program to generate a square wave of frequency 2 kHz through
port P1.0 by timer 0 of 8051 microcontroller.
Q.20. (AMIE W13, 10 marks): Write an assembly language program using 8051 microcontroller instructions
to generate a 50 Hz square wave at port 0, pin 6 (i.e. p0.6).
Q.21. (AMIE W11, 10 marks): Write an assembly language program using 8051 to generate a sawtooth and
square waveform using the general purpose ports of 8051.
Q.22. (AMIE S11, 4 marks): Explain the difference between forward jump and backward jump.
Q.23. (AMIE W11, 4 marks): Explain the instructions to access external RAM and external ROM.
Q.24. (AMIE W11, 10 marks): Write an assembly language program using 8051 to access the 7 segment code
of a number which is stored in ROM. Store 7 segment codes of 0-9.
Q.25. (AMIE S13, 10 marks): Explain different types of instructions groups with the help of at least two
assembly language instructions for 8051 microcontroller.
Q.26. (AMIE W13, 10 marks): An array of 10 numbers is stored in the internal data RAM starting from
location 30H. Write an assembly language program to move the array starting from location 40H.
Q.26. (AMIE S15, 8 marks): Write a program using 8051 assembly language to change the data 55H stored in
the lower byte of the data pointer register to AAH using rotate instruction.
Q.27. (AMIE W14, 10 marks): Write an assembly language program of 8051 for producing binary image of a
8 bit binary data.
Q.28. (AMIE S15, 10 marks): Justify why the crystal oscillator frequency in 8051 is chosen as 11.0592 MHz.

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