Embedded System Software engineering (Computer Interfacing Programmable Interrupt Controller Course

Computer Interfacing
Programmable Interrupt Controller (PIC)

,Introduction
• Interrupts are essential for a processor to operate slow and time
consuming peripherals
• Processors, have a single entry for interrupt request
• Several interrupt sources exist depending on a specific computer o
hardware system

,Introduction
• It is required to expand the number of interrupt sources that can b
connected to the processor
• It is also required to prioritize these interrupts
• Control over enabling/disabling these interrupts is also required

, Programmable Interrupt Controller
• A Programmable Interrupt Controller is a chip specifically designed
perform the previously mentioned tasks, namely:
• Interrupt sources expansion
• Interrupt prioritization
• Interrupt enable/disable
• The PIC was first manufactured by Intel under the name of 8259