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Vectored interrupt

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In Computer Science, Vectored Interrupts are type of I/O interrupts in which the device that generates the interrupt request (also called IRQ in some text books) identifies itself directly to the processor. This is in contrast with comparatively inefficient technique of polling, in which the processor polls - looks up - all the I/O devices connected to the interrupt bus.

Implementation

Vectored interrupts can be achieved by having each I/O device a unique code. When a device generates IRQ, it sends it's unique code over the bus to the processor. This code can be the starting address of Interrupt service routine for the I/O device. This code is typically 4 to 8 bits long.[1]

References

  1. ^ Hamacher, Carl (2002). "INPUT/OUTPUT Organization". Computer Organization (5th ed.). Mc Graw Hill. p. 214. ISBN ISBN0072320869. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
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