Computer Architecture: Input/Output Processor

An input-output processor (IOP) is a processor with direct memory access capability. In this, the computer system is divided into a memory unit and number of processors.

Each IOP controls and manage the input-output tasks. The IOP is similar to CPU except that it handles only the details of I/O processing. The IOP can fetch and execute its own instructions. These IOP instructions are designed to manage I/O transfers only.

Block Diagram Of I/O Processor

Below is a block diagram of a computer along with various I/O Processors. The memory unit occupies the central position and can communicate with each processor.

The CPU processes the data required for solving the computational tasks. The IOP provides a path for transfer of data between peripherals and memory. The CPU assigns the task of initiating the I/O program.

The IOP operates independent from CPU and transfer data between peripherals and memory.

The communication between the IOP and the devices is similar to the program control method of transfer. And the communication with the memory is similar to the direct memory access method.

In large scale computers, each processor is independent of other processors and any processor can initiate the operation.

The CPU can act as master and the IOP act as slave processor. The CPU assigns the task of initiating operations but it is the IOP, who executes the instructions, and not the CPU. CPU instructions provide operations to start an I/O transfer. The IOP asks for CPU through interrupt.

Instructions that are read from memory by an IOP are also called commands to distinguish them from instructions that are read by CPU. Commands are prepared by programmers and are stored in memory. Command words make the program for IOP. CPU informs the IOP where to find the commands in memory.