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Question

A DMA controller transfers 32-bit words to memory using cycle Stealing. The words are assembled from a device that transmits characters at a rate of 4800 characters per second. The CPU is fetching and executing instructions at an average rate of one million instructions per second. By how much will the CPU be slowed down because of the DMA transfer ?

This question was previously asked in
UGC NET 2015 Paper 1 Question Paper (27-Dec-2015)
The correct answer is

0.12%

In cycle stealing, each word transferred by DMA takes one memory cycle away from the CPU.

A 32-bit word holds 4 characters of 8 bits, so words per second \(= \frac{4800}{4} = 1200\).

The CPU uses \(10^{6}\) cycles per second, so the slowdown \(= \frac{1200}{10^{6}} \times 100 = 0.12\%\).

Check: counting every character as a stolen cycle would give 0.48%, which is not offered, and 0.06% would need 600 words per second.

Hence, 0.12%.

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Similar Questions

  1. The CPU of a system having 1 MIPS execution rate needs 4 machine cycles on an average for executing an instruction. The fifty percent of the cycles use memory bus. A memory read/ write employs one machine cycle. For execution of the programs, the system utilizes 90 percent of the CPU time. For block data transfer, an IO device is attached to the system while CPU executes the background programs continuously. What is the maximum IO data transfer rate if programmed IO data transfer technique is used ?

  2. Arrange the given steps required for a Direct Memory Access (DMA) transfer in the correct order.

    (A) Initiate DMA transfer request

    (B) Transfer data directly between peripheral and memory

    (C) Processor grants DMA control over the system bus

    (D) DMA controller completes data transfer and signals completion

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below :


Important Questions from Modes of Data Transfer

  1. Which method bypasses the CPU for certain types of data transfer?

  2. For long distance communication which of the following data transfer technique is used?

  3. The CPU of a system having 1 MIPS execution rate needs 4 machine cycles on an average for executing an instruction. The fifty percent of the cycles use memory bus. A memory read/ write employs one machine cycle. For execution of the programs, the system utilizes 90 percent of the CPU time. For block data transfer, an IO device is attached to the system while CPU executes the background programs continuously. What is the maximum IO data transfer rate if programmed IO data transfer technique is used ?

  4. Arrange the given steps required for a Direct Memory Access (DMA) transfer in the correct order.

    (A) Initiate DMA transfer request

    (B) Transfer data directly between peripheral and memory

    (C) Processor grants DMA control over the system bus

    (D) DMA controller completes data transfer and signals completion

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

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