ACtE04 · Chapter 4Computer Organization & Embedded Systems🏛️ Past Licensure QuestionID: c3d06727
When an active hardware interrupt suspends current program execution, the processor saves state and branches to execute the:
When an active hardware interrupt suspends current program execution, the processor saves state and branches to execute the:
Multiple Choice Options
- A✓ Correct Option
ISR (Interrupt Service Routine)
- B
Instruction Prefetch Buffer
- C
Floating-Point Arithmetic Unit
- D
DMA Peripheral Controller
Detailed Technical Solution & Explanation
When an interrupt is acknowledged, the processor pushes the current Program Counter onto the stack and loads the starting address of the corresponding Interrupt Service Routine (ISR) (or interrupt handler) into the PC to service the asynchronous event.
Option Analysis:
•
Option A (ISR): Correct; the designated software handler subroutine for the interrupt.
•
Option B (Prefetch Buffer): Hardware queue staging upcoming instructions.
•
Option C (FPU): Arithmetic unit for floating-point calculations.
•
Option D (DMA Controller): Hardware chip managing memory transfers.
Reference: Demo · Set 4NEC Licensure Syllabus