The MD8259A/B is an influential Integrated Circuit (IC) component that offers versatile programmable interrupt controllers. Primarily designed for various microprocessors, this advanced chip is used to manage interrupts by connecting various devices to a central processing unit (CPU). Let's delve into its overview and key features.
The MD8259A/B is a member of the 8259 family of ICs produced by Intel. It comes in two versions - MD8259A and MD8259B, each with slight variations in features. Both versions are designed to be compatible with the industry-standard Intel 8080/8085, Z80, and 6800 microprocessors. This compatibility makes them widely used in a wide range of computer systems and embedded applications.
One of the primary functions of the MD8259A/B is to prioritize and handle interrupts. It can handle up to eight different interrupt lines, which are connected to devices such as keyboards, timers, and peripheral input/output (I/O) devices. The IC efficiently manages the prioritization of these interrupt requests and sends them to the CPU in the correct order. Users can program the chip to assign priority levels for different devices based on their criticality.
Another key feature is its cascading capability, which allows multiple MD8259A/B chips to be interconnected. This chaining functionality enables the system to accommodate more than eight devices, expanding the overall interrupt handling capacity
