Identifying the I/O Module - 25.2.1 | 25. Programmed I/O Overview | Computer Organisation and Architecture - Vol 3
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Programmed I/O Basics

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're diving into programmed I/O. Can anyone tell me what they think programmed I/O means?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it's when the CPU directly controls the I/O operations.

Teacher
Teacher

That's partially correct! In programmed I/O, the CPU makes requests to the I/O module and continuously checks if the device is ready. This is done by polling the status of the device.

Student 2
Student 2

What does polling mean in this context?

Teacher
Teacher

Polling means the CPU regularly checks the status bit of the I/O device. It's like waiting for a friend to finish a task because you need them to help you with something.

Student 3
Student 3

But what if the device takes too long?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! If the device takes too long, it can waste CPU time, which is where other methods become more efficient. Remember, programmed I/O can lead to CPU being idle when it could be performing other tasks.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, programmed I/O involves the CPU's continuous checking of device status to safely transfer data. We'll explore how commands come into play in the next session.

I/O Commands and Operations

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s talk about the commands required for I/O operations. Who can name some types of commands we might need?

Student 4
Student 4

Controlling the device and checking its status?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We typically have three categories: controlling commands, test commands, and read/write commands. Each helps manage the devices effectively.

Student 1
Student 1

How do we know which device to control?

Teacher
Teacher

Good question! Each I/O device has a unique address, similar to how memory addresses work. This addressing is crucial for identifying which device we are communicating with.

Student 2
Student 2

So, we can't just have random addresses?

Teacher
Teacher

That’s right! Unique addressing prevents conflicts and ensures accurate communication. Make sure to remember that addressing is crucial to I/O operations.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, we discussed the various command categories essential for I/O operations. Next, we'll explore how we actually map these I/O devices.

Addressing Schemes in I/O

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let’s break down how we address I/O devices. Who knows the two main schemes we use?

Student 3
Student 3

Memory-mapped I/O and isolated I/O!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! In memory-mapped I/O, devices share the same address space with memory. Can anyone elaborate on what that means?

Student 4
Student 4

It means that some memory addresses are reserved for I/O devices instead of just regular memory.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! However, this means that memory for I/O is limited. In isolated I/O, devices have separate addressing. Why might this be beneficial?

Student 1
Student 1

Because it allows for more devices since memory and I/O don’t conflict?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Isolated I/O maximizes both the memory and I/O device capacity. Remember, to communicate with the I/O, we use a signal to distinguish whether we’re addressing memory or I/O.

Teacher
Teacher

To conclude, understanding whether we use memory-mapped or isolated I/O is vital for effective device management.

Summary and Implications of I/O Modules

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Teacher
Teacher

To sum up what we have learned about I/O modules, how do they help the CPU?

Student 2
Student 2

They manage communication and reduce CPU workload?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! By handling details of the I/O operations, I/O modules enable CPUs to focus on higher-level tasks without getting bogged down with device management.

Student 3
Student 3

So, we rely on these modules instead of complicating the CPU?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It balances system operations and simplifies design. Remember, I/O modules are crucial to system efficiency. Next week, we will learn more about device service routines.

Teacher
Teacher

In conclusion, we identified the role and necessity of I/O modules in communication, addressed the key commands used, and differentiated the types of addressing schemes.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section details the processes involved in interacting with Input/Output (I/O) modules, focusing on programmed I/O techniques and addressing schemes.

Standard

The section discusses the workings of I/O modules, highlighting programmed I/O where the CPU continuously monitors device status before data transfer. It differentiates between memory-mapped and isolated I/O addressing schemes, and outlines the essential commands, modes of transfer, and the significance of I/O modules.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

In this section, we explore the operations and structure of Input/Output (I/O) modules, emphasizing the programmed I/O method in which the CPU actively waits for an I/O device to become ready by polling its status. This continuous checking by the CPU can lead to inefficiencies, thus highlighting the importance of I/O modules in managing these interactions.

  1. Programmed I/O Process: The CPU initiates an I/O operation through commands, while the I/O module manages the device. The module doesn't directly notify the CPU when it's ready; instead, the CPU repeatedly checks the status bits to determine readiness. This polling method, while simple, can waste CPU resources.
  2. Command Types: I/O operations require control commands categorized into three main functions: controlling, testing, and reading/writing operations. For effective operation, each device must have a unique address assigned to it, similar to memory addressing.
  3. Addressing Schemes: The section covers two significant addressing techniques:
  4. Memory-Mapped I/O: where I/O devices share the same address space with memory, allowing regular memory operations to access these devices. This method limits the address space available for I/O devices.
  5. Isolated I/O: where I/O devices have a separate address space from memory, allowing more devices to be addressed independently through a control signal that distinguishes between memory and I/O operations.

The section emphasizes that effectively identifying and managing I/O modules is crucial for seamless CPU operation and system efficiency.

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Audio Book

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Introduction to Programmed I/O

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So, basically it is a sensing of status, then using the read write command, then transferring of data; this is the way that we are going to do, but here what is the problem that we have first? CPU needs to wait and poll, it is checking it continuously. So, it cannot do any other work. So, there is a wastage of CPU time.

Detailed Explanation

In the context of programmed I/O, the CPU continuously checks the status of the I/O device to see if it is ready for data transfer. This 'polling' behavior means that the CPU cannot execute other tasks, leading to inefficient use of its time since it's waiting idly for the I/O operation to complete.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this like waiting in line at a coffee shop. If you keep looking at the barista waiting for them to call your name, you can't do anything else - you just stand there, wasting time instead of getting things done.

Steps in Programmed I/O

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So, basically this is now programmed I/O details now you just see these are the simple steps; first one CPU requests to I/O operation that in processor we have shown it, I/O module performs operation, then by looking into the state of the devices I/O module sets the status bit, CPU checks status bits periodically, I/O module does not inform CPU directly, you now see that here I/O module is not going to inform the CPU directly that device is ready.

Detailed Explanation

The programmed I/O process consists of several steps:
1. The CPU sends a request to perform an I/O operation.
2. The I/O module then checks the device's state and updates a status bit.
3. The CPU periodically checks this status bit to determine if the device is ready for the next action. This notice is not sent directly by the I/O device to the CPU, requiring the CPU to constantly check for updates.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you're in a classroom where the teacher has to call on students to ask them if they have questions. Instead of students raising their hands when they're confused, they have to whisper to their friends, and it’s your job to check every few minutes to see if they're raising their hands. This can slow down the class because you're just checking for questions rather than teaching!

Control Commands for I/O Operations

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So, basically you just see that if we are going to connect something like that this processor is going to, maybe 1 bit of the status register is going to continuously monitor and if it is set to 1; that means, device is ready, then it is going to perform the transfer operation. So, this is our programmed I/O.

Detailed Explanation

The CPU uses control commands to manage I/O operations. One crucial aspect is monitoring the status register: when the register indicates that the device is ready (often represented as a '1'), the CPU can proceed with data transfer. Thus, this bit of information holds critical importance for orchestrating the I/O operations effectively.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it as a traffic light system where a green light indicates it's safe to go. A driver only proceeds when they see the green light (status bit = 1), ensuring safety before entering the intersection.

Addressing I/O Devices

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First the issues for that I/O command is like that how to identify the module. So that means, we have to have device address so this is the one point how we are going to give the addresses of the I/O devices.

Detailed Explanation

I/O devices must have unique addresses to be identified by the CPU. Just as each computer file needs a specific path to be accessed, I/O devices require a distinct address that the CPU can use to communicate with them effectively.

Examples & Analogies

Consider your home address. Just as postal services use your specific address to deliver your mail correctly, computers use unique addresses to ensure the correct data goes to the right I/O device.

Control Commands for Various I/O Operations

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So, basically, some control commands we have to issue just to initiate the process like that already have explained. If we want to print something in the printer we should send some control signal to the printer to initiate it or maybe to bring the printer head to the appropriate position.

Detailed Explanation

Control commands act like instructions sent to I/O devices to prepare them for operations. For example, before printing a document, a command is sent to the printer to move the print head to the correct position. These commands ensure the devices operate correctly and are ready for the task.

Examples & Analogies

It's similar to instructions given to a waiter before serving a dish – they need to know when to serve the appetizer, when to bring out the main course, and when to refill drinks to ensure a smooth dining experience.

Modes of Data Transfer

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One is this is the mode of transfer, whether read basically we say that we are taking something from the input device and write we are saying that we are going to put some information in to the output device.

Detailed Explanation

Data transfer between the CPU and I/O devices can either be a 'read' operation, where data is received from an input device, or a 'write' operation, where data is sent to an output device. It's important to distinguish between these two modes to manage how information flows between components.

Examples & Analogies

Think about sending and receiving letters through the post office. When you receive a letter, that's like a read operation. When you send a letter, that's akin to a write operation. Both activities require different processes to manage effectively.

Types of I/O Commands

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So, the command related to control the I/O device can be now look into three different categories. One is your controlling, second one is your test and third one is your read and write.

Detailed Explanation

I/O commands can be grouped into three categories: controlling commands that manage device operations, test commands that check the device status, and read/write commands for data transfer. Understanding these types helps in programming I/O effectively.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine these commands like the different buttons on a remote control. Some buttons change the channel (controlling), some check the battery status (testing), while others adjust the volume (reading/writing) to ensure optimal performance of your entertainment system.

I/O Mapping Techniques

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In that particular case we are having two different ways of doing it. One is your memory mapped I/O and second one is your isolated I/O.

Detailed Explanation

There are two main techniques for mapping I/O devices to the CPU: memory-mapped I/O and isolated I/O. Memory-mapped I/O shares the same address space for both memory and I/O devices, while isolated I/O dedicates separate addresses for I/O devices, allowing greater device connectivity but requiring additional control signals.

Examples & Analogies

Think of memory-mapped I/O like a neighborhood where stores and homes share the same street addresses. Isolated I/O is more like a town with separate streets for residential areas and shopping districts, making navigation easier but increasing the number of required signs.

Conclusion of Programmed I/O Operation

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So, basically here we are addressing this particular question and we are meeting the objective 1 that we have cited for the objective of this particular unit.

Detailed Explanation

In conclusion, the programmed I/O system involves understanding how to control I/O devices, including identifying them, addressing them, issuing control commands, and recognizing the types of transfer modes. These elements are fundamental to effectively managing data flow between the CPU and I/O.

Examples & Analogies

Follow the steps of cooking a recipe: preparing ingredients, knowing your tools, controlling the cooking time and temperature, and understanding when to serve. Each step is essential to create a successful dish, similar to how these I/O operations ensure efficient CPU-device interactions.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Programmed I/O: The process whereby the CPU checks the device status for data transfer.

  • Polling: A technique used in programmed I/O where the CPU checks the readiness of a device.

  • Addressing Scheme: A system to assign unique identifiers to devices for communication.

  • Memory-Mapped I/O: Sharing the same address space between memory and I/O devices.

  • Isolated I/O: Creating separate address spaces for memory and I/O devices.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • In programmed I/O, if a CPU wants to read data from a disk drive, it regularly checks the status bit to see if the drive is ready to send data.

  • When using memory-mapped I/O for a printer, the CPU can send commands directly to the printer using memory addresses.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Poll, poll, device call, CPU waits, answering all!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a postman who continuously checks mailboxes to see if there’s something to collect, that’s like polling in I/O.

🎯 Super Acronyms

CATS for I/O commands

  • Control
  • Address
  • Test
  • and Store.

P.I.O - Polling Involves Operations.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: I/O Module

    Definition:

    A device that manages data transfer between the CPU and external devices, ensuring efficient communication.

  • Term: Programmed I/O

    Definition:

    A method where the CPU actively checks the status of I/O devices to perform data transfers.

  • Term: Polling

    Definition:

    The process of the CPU repeatedly checking the status of an I/O device to determine if it is ready for data transfer.

  • Term: Addressing Scheme

    Definition:

    The method of assigning unique addresses to I/O devices for identification and communication.

  • Term: MemoryMapped I/O

    Definition:

    An addressing scheme where I/O devices share the same address space with memory.

  • Term: Isolated I/O

    Definition:

    An addressing scheme where I/O devices have their own separate address space distinct from memory.