RRB JE CBT2 : EXPERT
27 May

8085 MICROPROCESSOR: CLOCK FREQUENCY, SIGNALS, REGISTERS, INSTRUCTIONS AND EXECUTION CYCLES – COMPLETE NOTES


CLOCK FREQUENCY IN 8085

The 8085 Microprocessor internally divides the external crystal frequency by 2 to generate its operating clock signal. Therefore, the internal operating frequency (system clock) is always half of the external crystal frequency connected to pins X1 and X2.For a system operating at 3 MHz, the crystal frequency is calculated as:

  • Crystal Frequency = 2 × Internal Frequency
  • Crystal Frequency = 2 × 3 MHz
  • Crystal Frequency = 6 MHz

Thus, a 6 MHz crystal must be connected to pins X1 and X2 when the microprocessor is required to operate at 3 MHz.


IO/M' SIGNAL IN 8085

The IO/M' (Input/Output or Memory) Signal is an important status signal used to indicate whether the current operation is related to Memory or an Input/Output Device.When the IO/M' signal is LOW (0), the microprocessor performs a Memory Operation.When the IO/M' signal is HIGH (1), the microprocessor performs an I/O Operation.This distinction enables the microprocessor to access the correct address space and generate appropriate control signals for memory and peripheral devices.


Importance of IO/M' Signal

Address Decoding

The IO/M' signal assists in address decoding by differentiating between Memory Addresses and I/O Addresses. This ensures that the correct device is selected during data transfer operations.

Control Signal Generation

The signal helps generate proper control signals for:

  • Memory Read
  • Memory Write
  • I/O Read
  • I/O Write

This enables accurate communication between the microprocessor and connected devices.

Efficient System Design

By clearly distinguishing between memory and I/O operations, the IO/M' signal improves overall system organization and performance.


What IO/M' Signal Does Not Indicate

The IO/M' signal does not indicate:

Interrupt Occurrence

Interrupt handling is performed through signals such as:

  • INTR (Interrupt Request)
  • INTA (Interrupt Acknowledge)

Data Validity

Data validity is controlled through:

  • RD (Read)
  • WR (Write)

signals.

Read or Write Operation

Read and write operations are determined by:

  • RD Signal
  • WR Signal

and not by the IO/M' signal.


RD AND IO/M SIGNAL COMBINATIONS

The RD (Read) Signal is an Active Low Signal.When RD = LOW, the microprocessor is performing a read operation.The IO/M Signal indicates the type of device involved in the operation.

  • IO/M = HIGH → I/O Operation
  • IO/M = LOW → Memory Operation

I/O Read Cycle

When:

  • RD = LOW
  • IO/M = HIGH

the microprocessor performs an I/O Read Operation.In this cycle:

  • The microprocessor places the address of the I/O device on the address bus.
  • The RD signal becomes active.
  • The I/O device places data on the data bus.
  • The microprocessor reads and processes the data.

This combination specifically represents an I/O Read Cycle.


Other Execution Cycles

OperationRDWRIO/M
I/O ReadLOWHIGH
I/O WriteLOWHIGH
Memory ReadLOWLOW
Memory WriteLOWLOW

INTERRUPT INSTRUCTIONS

RIM (Read Interrupt Mask)

The RIM Instruction is used to:

  • Read interrupt mask status
  • Check pending interrupts
  • Read serial input data

The instruction loads the Accumulator with the current status information related to interrupts and serial input.


SIM (Set Interrupt Mask)

The SIM Instruction is used for:

  • Masking interrupts
  • Unmasking interrupts

It does not check pending interrupts.


OTHER IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

ANI Instruction

ANI performs a Logical AND Operation with an immediate value.


LXI Instruction

LXI is used to load a Register Pair with a 16-bit Value.


REGISTERS USED AS DATA POINTERS

H and L Registers

The H Register and L Register together act as the primary Data Pointer Registers in the 8085 microprocessor.They are commonly used for addressing and data access operations.


W and Z Registers

The W and Z Registers are generally used as Temporary Registers during exchange operations.


CMP INSTRUCTION

CMP (Compare Register or Memory with Accumulator)

The CMP Instruction compares the contents of a register or memory location with the contents of the Accumulator.During comparison:

  • Both operands remain unchanged.
  • Only the flag status changes.

Flag Conditions after CMP

If (A) < Register/Memory

  • Carry Flag = Set

If (A) = Register/Memory

  • Zero Flag = Set

If (A) > Register/Memory

  • Carry Flag = Reset
  • Zero Flag = Reset

PROGRAM COUNTER (PC)

The Program Counter is used to keep track of program execution.It stores the memory address of the Next Instruction to be fetched from memory.After the successful completion of an instruction, the Program Counter automatically points to the next instruction location.


Functions of Program Counter

  • Stores address of next instruction.
  • Controls instruction sequencing.
  • Tracks program execution.
  • Increments after instruction fetch.

As each instruction is fetched, the Program Counter increases its stored value by 1.


ACCUMULATOR

The Accumulator is the most frequently used register in the microprocessor.It serves as a temporary storage location for data and intermediate results generated during arithmetic and logical operations.Intermediate results are continuously written into the accumulator, replacing the previous value.


Functions of Accumulator

  • Stores data from memory.
  • Holds intermediate arithmetic results.
  • Holds intermediate logical results.
  • Acts as a working register during instruction execution.

STACK POINTER (SP)

The Stack Pointer is a 16-bit Register that stores the address of the Top of Stack Memory.It is used for stack operations and stack management.


Stack Pointer During PUSH Operation

During a PUSH Operation:

  • Stack Pointer is decremented by 2.

Result

SP = SP – 2


Stack Pointer During POP Operation

During a POP Operation:

  • Stack Pointer is incremented by 2.

Result

SP = SP + 2


QUICK REVISION TABLE

TopicImportant Fact
Internal Clock FrequencyCrystal Frequency ÷ 2
3 MHz System Clock6 MHz Crystal Required
IO/M' = LOWMemory Operation
IO/M' = HIGHI/O Operation
RD = LOWRead Operation
RD LOW + IO/M HIGHI/O Read Cycle
RIMReads Interrupt Mask Status & Pending Interrupts
SIMMasks/Unmasks Interrupts
ANILogical AND with Immediate Data
LXILoads Register Pair with 16-bit Data
H-L RegistersPrimary Data Pointer
W-Z RegistersTemporary Registers
CMPCompares Operand with Accumulator
Program CounterStores Address of Next Instruction
AccumulatorStores Intermediate Results
Stack Pointer16-bit Register
PUSHSP Decremented by 2
POPSP Incremented by 2
8085 Architecture 8085 Microprocessor Notes 8085 Clock Frequency Crystal Frequency in 8085 X1 and X2 Pins System Clock 8085 IO M Signal IO/M Signal in 8085 Memory and I/O Operations Address Decoding Control Signals in 8085 RD Signal WR Signal I/O Read Cycle I/O Write Cycle Memory Read Cycle Memory Write Cycle Execution Cycles in 8085 Interrupts in 8085 RIM Instruction SIM Instruction Interrupt Masking Pending Interrupts INTR Signal INTA Signal ANI Instruction LXI Instruction H and L Registers HL Pair Data Pointer Registers W and Z Registers Temporary Registers CMP Instruction Compare Instruction 8085 Carry Flag Zero Flag Flag Register Program Counter PC Register Stack Pointer SP Register PUSH Operation POP Operation Accumulator Register CPU Registers Register Organization Instruction Set of 8085 Microprocessor Fundamentals Digital Electronics Embedded Systems Computer Organization Microprocessor and Microcontroller Electronics Engineering Notes Electronics GK Electronics One Liner Technical Aptitude Competitive Electronics Electronics Revision Notes Electronics Short Notes SSC JE Electronics RRB JE Electronics RRB JE CBT 2 RRB JE CBT 2 Electronics Railway JE Preparation Railway Recruitment Board JE Junior Engineer Electronics JE CBT 2 Notes JE Electronics MCQ ECE Competitive Exams Electronics and Communication Engineering PSU Technical Exams Engineering Competitive Exams Technical GK for Engineers Computer Hardware Basics Microprocessor Revision Notes RRB JE 2026 RRB JE Previous Year Questions RRB JE Technical Syllabus RRB JE Electronics Study Material CBT 2 Technical Notes Railway Exams Electronics Electronics Objective Questions Microprocessor Important Facts 8085 PYQ Concepts.
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