What happens if the CPU and an I/O controller want to use the bus at the same…
2025
What happens if the CPU and an I/O controller want to use the bus at the same time? Who decides who goes next?
- A.
DMA
- B.
Interrupt handler
- C.
Bus arbiter
- D.
CPU
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Correct answer: C
When the CPU and an I/O controller compete for bus access simultaneously, a Bus Arbiter decides which device proceeds next. This hardware component manages bus arbitration to prevent collisions and ensure orderly data transfer between system components.