Question

How is the number of chips required is determined?

(a) number of data lines

(b) the minimum number of data

(c) width of the data path from the processor

(d) number of data lines and the width of the data path from the processor

The question was posed to me during an online exam.

This intriguing question originated from Memory Organisation of Embedded Systems topic in chapter Memory Systems of Embedded Systems

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) number of data lines and the width of the data path from the processor

Explanation: The minimum number of chips is determined by the number of data lines and the width of the data path from the processor. For example, MC6800 family have a 16-bit wide datapath, 16*1 devices, 4*4 or 2*8 devices are needed.