Modes of Transfer
(Computer Architecture and
Microprocessors)
Introduction
• Binary information received from an
external device is stored in memory for
later processing. Memory CPU (acts as an
inter-mediate)
• Information transferred from the CPU
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 DMA
destination is the memory unit. Input/Output
Devices
Different modes of data transfer
Programmed I/O
Interrupt Initiated I/O
Direct Memory Access (DMA)
CPU reads data register
Programmed I/O CPU waits for device
(Check flag bit)
• Programmed I/O operations are the result =0 =1
of I/O instructions written in the computer
program. Flag
• Each data transfer is initiated by an I/O
instruction in the program (to access
registers or memory on a device). CPU reads word from
device
• Usually, the data transfer is from a memory
and a CPU register.
Transfer data to memory
• This case requires constant monitoring by
the CPU and the CPU stays in a loop until
the I/O devices indicates that it is ready for No
data transfer. Done?
Yes
Next instruction of the
program
CPU sends read request
Interrupt-Initiated I/0 to device
• In Interrupt-Initiated I/O, instead of continuous
monitoring of CPU, interface will be informed to CPU does some other
issue an Interrupt request signal, when data are stuff
available from the device.
CPU receiving interrupt
• Meanwhile, CPU proceeds to executes some (from device)
other tasks and the interface keeps monitoring
the device.
CPU reads word from
• When device is ready for data transfer, it device
generates interrupt request.
Transfer data to memory
• Upon detecting the external interrupt signal, the
CPU stops the task it is performing, process the
I/O data transfer and resumes the original task No
it was performing. Done?
Yes
Next instruction of the
program
Programmed I/O V/S Interrupt-Initiated I/O
PROGRAMMED I/O INTERRUPT-INITIATED I/O
Data transfer is initiated by the means of The I/O transfer is initiated by the interrupt
instructions stored in the computer program. command issued to the CPU.
The CPU stays in the loop to know if the device is There is no need for the CPU to stay in the loop as
ready for transfer and has to continuously monitor the interrupt command interrupts the CPU when
the peripheral device. the device is ready for data transfer.
This leads to the wastage of CPU cycles as CPU The CPU cycles are not wasted as CPU continues
remains busy needlessly and thus the efficiency of with other work during this time and hence this
system gets reduced. method is more efficient.
CPU cannot do any work until the transfer is CPU can do any other work until it is interrupted by
complete as it has to stay in the loop to the command indicating the readiness of device
continuously monitor the peripheral device. for data transfer.
DMA(Direct Memory
Access) CPU sends read request
to DMA Unit
• To transfer large blocks of data at high
speed b/w external device and main
memory DMA approach is used effectively. CPU does other stuff
• DMA allows data transfer between I/O
device and main memory with minimal CPU receives DMA
intervention of CPU. interrupt
• CPU is involved in beginning and end of the
transfer and interrupted only after entire
block has been transferred. Next instruction of the
program
• CPU grants I/O interface authority to read
from or write to memory without its
involvement.
• DMA itself controls data transfer b/w
memory and I/O devices.
Advantages of
DMA
•With DMA, the CPU initiates the transfer but then can
Reduced CPU continue executing other tasks while the DMA controller
handles the data movement independently. This reduces
overhead CPU overhead compared to programmed I/O, where the
CPU must actively manage each data transfer.
•DMA transfers data directly between peripheral devices and
Faster Data memory without CPU intervention, resulting in faster data
transfer rates. In contrast, programmed I/O requires the CPU to
Transfer move data between peripherals and memory one byte or word at
a time, which is slower.
Improved System •Since DMA transfers occur independently of the CPU, the system
remains more responsive to other tasks. This is particularly
Responsiveness beneficial in multitasking environments where the CPU needs to
handle multiple concurrent processes.
Thank you
PRESENTED BY:
Kanan Kaura
D2 CSE C-2
URN : 2203845
