Scribd
Upload
26 views2 pages

Unit 4 Lecture 3 Modes of Data Transfer

The document discusses modes of data transfer between a central computer and I/O devices, highlighting Programmed I/O, Interrupt-initiated I/O, and Direct Memory Access (DMA). Programmed I/O requires constant CPU monitoring, while Interrupt-initiated I/O allows the CPU to perform other tasks until an interrupt signals readiness for data transfer. DMA enables direct communication between peripherals and memory, bypassing the CPU to enhance transfer efficiency.

Uploaded by

Alan Water
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
26 views2 pages

Unit 4 Lecture 3 Modes of Data Transfer

The document discusses modes of data transfer between a central computer and I/O devices, highlighting Programmed I/O, Interrupt-initiated I/O, and Direct Memory Access (DMA). Programmed I/O requires constant CPU monitoring, while Interrupt-initiated I/O allows the CPU to perform other tasks until an interrupt signals readiness for data transfer. DMA enables direct communication between peripherals and memory, bypassing the CPU to enhance transfer efficiency.

Uploaded by

Alan Water
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Unit: 4

Input-Output Organization
Lecture-3
Modes of Data Transfer
Binary information received from an external device is usually stored in
memory for later processing. Information transferred from the central computer
into an external device originates in the memory unit. The CPU merely executes
the I/O instructions and may accept the data temporarily, but the ultimate
source or destination is the memory unit.
Data transfer between the central computer and the I/O devices may be
handled in a variety of modes. Some modes use the CPU as an intermediate
path, others transfer data directly to and from the memory unit.
Data transfer to and from peripherals may be handled in one of three
possible modes:
 Programmed I/O
 Interrupt-initiated I/O
 Direct Memory Access (DMA)

Programmed I/O: It is due to the result of the I/O instructions that are
written in the computer program. Each data item transfer is initiated by an
instruction in the program. Usually the transfer is from a CPU register and
memory.
 In this case, it requires constant monitoring by the CPU of the peripheral
devices.
The transfer of data requires three instructions:
1. Read the status register.
2. Check the status of the flag bit and branch to step 1 if not set or to step
3 if set.
3. Read the data register.

Drawback of the Programmed I/O: The main drawback of the Program


Initiated I/O was that the CPU has to monitor the units all the times when the
program is executing. Thus the CPU stays in a program loop until the I/O unit
indicates that it is ready for data transfer. This is a time consuming process
and the CPU time is wasted a lot in keeping an eye to the execution of the
program.
To remove this problem an Interrupt facility and special commands are used.
Interrupt Initiated I/O:
In this method, an interrupt command is used to inform the device
about the start and end of transfer. In the meantime the CPU executes other
program. When the interface determines that the device is ready for data
transfer it generates an Interrupt Request and sends it to the computer.

When the CPU receives such a signal, it temporarily stops the


execution of the program and branches to a service program to process the I/O
transfer and after completing it returns back to task, what it was originally
performing.
The CPU responds to the interrupt signal by storing the return address from
the program counter into a memory stack and then control branches to a
service routine that processes the required I/O transfer.
The way that the processor chooses the branch address of the service routine
varies from one unit to another. In principle, there are two methods for
accomplishing this:
 Vectored interrupt: In a vectored interrupt, the source that interrupts
supplies the branch information to the computer.
 Non vectored interrupt: In a non-vectored interrupt, the branch
address is assigned to a fixed location in memory.

Direct Memory Access:


The data transfer between a fast storage media such as magnetic
disk and memory unit is limited by the speed of the CPU.
Thus we can allow the peripherals directly communicate with each
other using the memory buses, removing the intervention of the CPU.
This type of data transfer technique is known as DMA or direct
memory access. During DMA the CPU is idle and it has no control over the
memory buses. The DMA controller takes over the buses to manage the
transfer directly between the I/O devices and the memory unit.

You might also like