Question: A computer consists of a processor and an I/O device D connected to main memory M via a shared bus with a data bus width

A computer consists of a processor and an I/O device D connected to main memory M via a shared bus with a data bus width of one word. The processor can execute a maximum of 106 instructions per second. An average instruction requires five machine cycles, three of which use the memory bus. A memory read or write operation uses one machine cycle. Suppose that the processor is continuously executing "background" programs that require 95% of its instruction execution rate but not any I/O instructions. Assume that one processor cycle equals one bus cycle. Now suppose the I/O device is to be used to transfer very large blocks of data between M and D.
a. If programmed I/O is used and each one-word I/O transfer requires the processor to execute two instructions, estimate the maximum I/O data-transfer rate, in words per second, possible through D.
b. Estimate the same rate if DMA is used.

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a The processor can only devote 5 of its time to IO Thus the maximum IO instruction exe... View full answer

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