Bus Architecture MCQs

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: September 20, 2024

What is the primary function of a system bus in computer architecture?
a) To facilitate communication between the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices
b) To store data temporarily during processing
c) To increase the clock speed of the CPU
d) To manage power consumption in the system
Answer: a) To facilitate communication between the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices

Which component of a bus architecture is responsible for transferring data between the CPU and memory?
a) Data bus
b) Address bus
c) Control bus
d) Power bus
Answer: a) Data bus

What is the purpose of the address bus in a computer system?
a) To specify the memory location for data transfer
b) To carry data between the CPU and memory
c) To control the timing of data transfers
d) To supply power to the system components
Answer: a) To specify the memory location for data transfer

How does the control bus function in a bus architecture?
a) It carries control signals to manage the operations of the CPU, memory, and I/O devices
b) It transfers data between memory and the CPU
c) It specifies the address of data to be transferred
d) It increases the speed of data transfer
Answer: a) It carries control signals to manage the operations of the CPU, memory, and I/O devices

What is “bus contention” in a computer system?
a) A situation where multiple components attempt to use the bus simultaneously, leading to conflicts
b) The process of synchronizing the bus clock with the system clock
c) A technique for increasing bus bandwidth
d) The action of reducing bus speed to prevent overheating
Answer: a) A situation where multiple components attempt to use the bus simultaneously, leading to conflicts

What does a “shared bus” configuration mean in a multiprocessor system?
a) Multiple processors share a common bus to communicate with each other and with memory
b) Each processor has its own dedicated bus to avoid conflicts
c) The bus is used exclusively for data transfer between the CPU and I/O devices
d) Only one processor can use the bus at a time, with others waiting in queue
Answer: a) Multiple processors share a common bus to communicate with each other and with memory

Which type of bus architecture allows for simultaneous data transfer between multiple devices?
a) Parallel bus
b) Serial bus
c) Single bus
d) Hybrid bus
Answer: a) Parallel bus

What is the main advantage of a “serial bus” compared to a “parallel bus”?
a) Serial buses require fewer physical connections and can achieve higher data transfer rates over longer distances
b) Parallel buses have higher data transfer rates
c) Serial buses are less complex and easier to implement
d) Parallel buses are more power-efficient
Answer: a) Serial buses require fewer physical connections and can achieve higher data transfer rates over longer distances

In bus architecture, what is the role of the “bus arbiter”?
a) To manage access to the bus among multiple components to prevent conflicts
b) To increase the speed of data transfers
c) To handle errors in data transmission
d) To regulate the power supply to the bus
Answer: a) To manage access to the bus among multiple components to prevent conflicts

What does the term “bus width” refer to in computer systems?
a) The number of bits that can be transmitted simultaneously over the bus
b) The length of the bus connecting the CPU to memory
c) The speed at which data is transferred over the bus
d) The number of devices that can be connected to the bus
Answer: a) The number of bits that can be transmitted simultaneously over the bus

What is “bus bandwidth”?
a) The maximum amount of data that can be transferred over the bus per unit of time
b) The physical width of the bus in terms of connection pins
c) The distance between the CPU and memory
d) The total number of devices connected to the bus
Answer: a) The maximum amount of data that can be transferred over the bus per unit of time

Which bus architecture is commonly used for connecting external devices to a computer system?
a) Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus
b) System bus
c) Memory bus
d) Address bus
Answer: a) Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus

What is the function of the “data bus” in a computer system?
a) To carry data between the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices
b) To specify memory addresses for data transfer
c) To manage control signals and timing
d) To supply power to the system components
Answer: a) To carry data between the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices

How does “bus multiplexing” improve the efficiency of a bus system?
a) By allowing multiple types of signals (data, address, and control) to share the same bus lines
b) By increasing the physical width of the bus
c) By reducing the number of devices connected to the bus
d) By synchronizing the bus clock with the CPU clock
Answer: a) By allowing multiple types of signals (data, address, and control) to share the same bus lines

What is “bus bandwidth” typically measured in?
a) Bits per second (bps)
b) Hertz (Hz)
c) Watts (W)
d) Ohms (Ω)
Answer: a) Bits per second (bps)

What does “bus latency” refer to in a bus system?
a) The delay between initiating a data transfer and the completion of the transfer
b) The time it takes for the bus to initialize
c) The duration of each data transfer cycle
d) The time it takes to repair the bus
Answer: a) The delay between initiating a data transfer and the completion of the transfer

Which type of bus is used for high-speed data transfers between the CPU and main memory?
a) System bus
b) I/O bus
c) Address bus
d) Control bus
Answer: a) System bus

What is the key benefit of using a “bus interface unit” (BIU) in a computer system?
a) It manages the communication between the CPU and the bus, handling data transfers and address mapping
b) It increases the clock speed of the CPU
c) It reduces the power consumption of the bus
d) It provides additional memory for data storage
Answer: a) It manages the communication between the CPU and the bus, handling data transfers and address mapping

What does “bus contention” refer to?
a) Multiple devices or components competing for control of the bus at the same time
b) The process of synchronizing the bus clock with the system clock
c) A method of increasing bus bandwidth
d) The action of reducing bus speed to prevent overheating
Answer: a) Multiple devices or components competing for control of the bus at the same time

How does “bus arbitration” resolve conflicts in a multi-device system?
a) By using a centralized controller to allocate bus access based on priority or request order
b) By allowing all devices to access the bus simultaneously
c) By disabling non-essential devices
d) By increasing the clock speed of the bus
Answer: a) By using a centralized controller to allocate bus access based on priority or request order

What is the purpose of the “address bus” in a memory access operation?
a) To specify the address in memory where data should be read from or written to
b) To carry data to and from the CPU
c) To manage control signals for the data transfer
d) To supply power to the memory modules
Answer: a) To specify the address in memory where data should be read from or written to

Which bus architecture is typically used to connect a CPU to peripheral devices such as hard drives and network cards?
a) Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
b) System bus
c) Address bus
d) Control bus
Answer: a) Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)

What does “bus speed” refer to in a computer system?
a) The rate at which data can be transferred over the bus
b) The physical length of the bus
c) The power consumption of the bus
d) The number of devices connected to the bus
Answer: a) The rate at which data can be transferred over the bus

What is the advantage of a “wide bus” compared to a “narrow bus”?
a) A wide bus can transfer more data simultaneously, increasing overall system performance
b) A narrow bus has a higher data transfer rate
c) A wide bus requires less power
d) A narrow bus is easier to implement
Answer: a) A wide bus can transfer more data simultaneously, increasing overall system performance

How does a “bus bridge” function in a computer system?
a) It connects different bus segments or types, allowing communication between them
b) It increases the physical width of the bus
c) It manages the power supply to the bus
d) It handles data transfer directly between the CPU and memory
Answer: a) It connects different bus segments or types, allowing communication between them

What is “bus throughput”?
a) The amount of data successfully transferred over the bus in a given period of time
b) The number of devices connected to the bus
c) The length of the bus
d) The speed at which the bus operates
Answer: a) The amount of data successfully transferred over the bus in a given period of time

What does a “bus master” refer to in a bus architecture?
a) A device or component that has control over the bus and can initiate data transfers
b) A device that only receives data from the bus
c) A component that manages power distribution to the bus
d) A device that synchronizes the bus clock with the system clock
Answer: a) A device or component that has control over the bus and can initiate data transfers

In a multiprocessor system, how does “bus snooping” help maintain cache coherence?
a) By monitoring the bus for transactions that affect the cached data to ensure consistency across caches
b) By increasing the clock speed of the bus
c) By disabling other processors during data transfers
d) By reducing the number of devices connected to the bus
Answer: a) By monitoring the bus for transactions that affect the cached data to ensure consistency across caches

What is the primary benefit of a “high-speed bus” in computer architecture?
a) It improves the rate at which data can be transferred between components, enhancing overall system performance
b) It reduces the physical size of the bus
c) It increases the power consumption of the system
d) It simplifies the bus interface design
Answer: a) It improves the rate at which data can be transferred between components, enhancing overall system performance

What role does a “bus controller” play in managing data transfers?
a) It regulates and controls the data flow on the bus, ensuring correct timing and coordination of transfers
b) It increases the speed of data transfers
c) It provides power to the bus
d) It handles memory allocation for data transfers
Answer: a) It regulates and controls the data flow on the bus, ensuring correct timing and coordination of transfers

How does “bus width” impact the performance of a computer system?
a) A wider bus allows more data to be transferred simultaneously, improving performance
b) A narrower bus increases the speed of data transfers
c) Bus width has no impact on performance
d) A wider bus reduces the system’s power consumption
Answer: a) A wider bus allows more data to be transferred simultaneously, improving performance

What is the purpose of “bus isolation” in a computer system?
a) To prevent electrical interference between different bus segments or components
b) To increase the number of devices that can be connected to the bus
c) To simplify the design of the bus interface
d) To enhance the power efficiency of the bus
Answer: a) To prevent electrical interference between different bus segments or components

Which type of bus architecture is designed for connecting high-speed peripherals like graphics cards?
a) Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)
b) System bus
c) Address bus
d) Control bus
Answer: a) Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe)

How does “bus bandwidth” relate to “bus width”?
a) Bus bandwidth increases with a wider bus because more data can be transferred simultaneously
b) Bus bandwidth decreases with a wider bus
c) Bus width and bandwidth are unrelated
d) A narrower bus increases bandwidth
Answer: a) Bus bandwidth increases with a wider bus because more data can be transferred simultaneously

What does “bus contention” refer to in a shared bus system?
a) The competition among multiple devices for control of the bus, which can lead to delays or conflicts
b) The process of synchronizing bus speeds with the CPU clock
c) The strategy for increasing bus bandwidth
d) The procedure for managing power consumption of the bus
Answer: a) The competition among multiple devices for control of the bus, which can lead to delays or conflicts

What is the role of a “bus repeater” in a computer system?
a) To amplify and regenerate signals to extend the distance of data transmission on the bus
b) To manage access to the bus among multiple devices
c) To increase the bus width
d) To synchronize the bus clock with the CPU clock
Answer: a) To amplify and regenerate signals to extend the distance of data transmission on the bus

How does “bus coupling” help in connecting multiple bus systems?
a) By providing a mechanism to link and communicate between different bus segments or types
b) By increasing the power of the bus
c) By simplifying the bus controller design
d) By reducing the number of devices connected to the bus
Answer: a) By providing a mechanism to link and communicate between different bus segments or types

What is “bus efficiency”?
a) The effectiveness of the bus in transferring data relative to its capacity and speed
b) The physical length of the bus
c) The number of devices connected to the bus
d) The amount of power consumed by the bus
Answer: a) The effectiveness of the bus in transferring data relative to its capacity and speed

What is a “bus protocol”?
a) A set of rules and standards that govern the communication and data transfer on the bus
b) A physical connector used to connect devices to the bus
c) A method for increasing the bus speed
d) A technique for reducing power consumption of the bus
Answer: a) A set of rules and standards that govern the communication and data transfer on the bus

How does “bus expansion” benefit a computer system?
a) By allowing additional devices to be connected to the bus without altering its fundamental design
b) By increasing the bus speed
c) By reducing the width of the bus
d) By enhancing the system’s power efficiency
Answer: a) By allowing additional devices to be connected to the bus without altering its fundamental design

What is the function of a “bus interface” in a computer system?
a) To provide a connection between the CPU and the bus, handling data transfers and address mapping
b) To manage the power supply to the bus
c) To increase the clock speed of the bus
d) To reduce the physical size of the bus
Answer: a) To provide a connection between the CPU and the bus, handling data transfers and address mapping

How does “bus latency” affect system performance?
a) Higher latency increases the delay between initiating and completing a data transfer, which can degrade performance
b) Higher latency improves the speed of data transfers
c) Latency has no impact on system performance
d) Lower latency reduces the power consumption of the bus
Answer: a) Higher latency increases the delay between initiating and completing a data transfer, which can degrade performance

What does “bus multiplexing” allow in a bus architecture?
a) It allows multiple types of signals (data, address, and control) to share the same bus lines, optimizing resource use
b) It increases the number of devices that can be connected to the bus
c) It simplifies the physical design of the bus
d) It enhances the power efficiency of the bus
Answer: a) It allows multiple types of signals (data, address, and control) to share the same bus lines, optimizing resource use

Which bus configuration is typically used for connecting multiple processors in a system?
a) Multiprocessor bus architecture
b) Single bus configuration
c) I/O bus
d) Memory bus
Answer: a) Multiprocessor bus architecture

What is the main advantage of “bus pipelining”?
a) It allows multiple bus operations to be overlapped, improving overall data transfer efficiency
b) It increases the bus width
c) It reduces the number of devices connected to the bus
d) It enhances the power efficiency of the bus
Answer: a) It allows multiple bus operations to be overlapped, improving overall data transfer efficiency

What does “bus bandwidth” refer to?
a) The rate at which data can be transferred over the bus
b) The physical length of the bus
c) The power consumption of the bus
d) The number of devices connected to the bus
Answer: a) The rate at which data can be transferred over the bus

How does “bus width” impact the performance of data transfers?
a) A wider bus allows more data to be transferred simultaneously, improving overall system performance
b) A narrower bus improves data transfer speed
c) Bus width has no impact on performance
d) A wider bus reduces system power consumption
Answer: a) A wider bus allows more data to be transferred simultaneously, improving overall system performance

What is “bus contention” in a computer system?
a) The situation where multiple devices or components compete for control of the bus, leading to potential conflicts
b) The process of synchronizing the bus clock with the system clock
c) A method for increasing bus bandwidth
d) The action of reducing bus speed to prevent overheating
Answer: a) The situation where multiple devices or components compete for control of the bus, leading to potential conflicts

How does “bus throttling” help in managing bus performance?
a) By limiting the rate of data transfers to prevent system overload and ensure stable operation
b) By increasing the bus width
c) By reducing the number of devices connected to the bus
d) By synchronizing the bus speed with the CPU clock
Answer: a) By limiting the rate of data transfers to prevent system overload and ensure stable operation

What is the function of a “bus controller” in a computer system?
a) To manage and coordinate data transfers on the bus, ensuring correct timing and communication
b) To increase the speed of data transfers
c) To provide power to the bus
d) To handle memory allocation for data transfers
Answer: a) To manage and coordinate data transfers on the bus, ensuring correct timing and communication

How does “bus expansion” benefit a computer system?
a) By allowing additional devices to be connected to the bus without altering its fundamental design
b) By increasing the bus speed
c) By reducing the width of the bus
d) By enhancing the system’s power efficiency
Answer: a) By allowing additional devices to be connected to the bus without altering its fundamental design

What role does a “bus repeater” play in a computer system?
a) It amplifies and regenerates signals to extend the distance of data transmission on the bus
b) It manages access to the bus among multiple devices
c) It increases the bus width
d) It synchronizes the bus clock with the CPU clock
Answer: a) It amplifies and regenerates signals to extend the distance of data transmission on the bus

How does “bus bandwidth” impact system performance?
a) Higher bandwidth allows more data to be transferred per unit of time, enhancing overall system performance
b) Lower bandwidth improves system efficiency
c) Bandwidth has no impact on performance
d) Higher bandwidth increases power consumption
Answer: a) Higher bandwidth allows more data to be transferred per unit of time, enhancing overall system performance

What is the role of a “bus master” in a bus architecture?
a) To control the bus and initiate data transfers, managing communication with other components
b) To only receive data from the bus
c) To manage power distribution to the bus
d) To synchronize the bus clock with the system clock
Answer: a) To control the bus and initiate data transfers, managing communication with other components

How does “bus snooping” maintain cache coherence in a multiprocessor system?
a) By monitoring the bus for transactions that affect cached data to ensure consistency across caches
b) By increasing the clock speed of the bus
c) By disabling other processors during data transfers
d) By reducing the number of devices connected to the bus
Answer: a) By monitoring the bus for transactions that affect cached data to ensure consistency across caches

What is the purpose of “bus arbitration” in a multi-device system?
a) To allocate bus access among multiple devices based on priority or request order to prevent conflicts
b) To increase the speed of data transfers
c) To manage power supply to the bus
d) To handle memory allocation for data transfers
Answer: a) To allocate bus access among multiple devices based on priority or request order to prevent conflicts

What does “bus latency” affect in a computer system?
a) The delay between initiating a data transfer and the completion of the transfer, impacting performance
b) The speed of data transfers
c) The physical length of the bus
d) The power consumption of the bus
Answer: a) The delay between initiating a data transfer and the completion of the transfer, impacting performance

How does “bus coupling” benefit a computer system?
a) By connecting different bus segments or types, allowing for effective communication between them
b) By increasing the power of the bus
c) By simplifying the bus controller design
d) By reducing the number of devices connected to the bus
Answer: a) By connecting different bus segments or types, allowing for effective communication between them

What is “bus throughput”?
a) The amount of data successfully transferred over the bus in a given period of time
b) The number of devices connected to the bus
c) The length of the bus
d) The speed at which the bus operates
Answer: a) The amount of data successfully transferred over the bus in a given period of time

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