Q2Microprocessor and Interfaces
Question
4 marks
Describe the memory segmentation in 8086.
Answer
Memory segmentation in the 8086 divides the 1MB physical memory into multiple 64KB logical segments.
Memory segmentation in the 8086 divides the 1MB physical memory into multiple 64KB logical segments. The processor uses 16-bit segment registers: Code Segment (CS), Data Segment (DS), Stack Segment (SS), and Extra Segment (ES).
To access memory, the 8086 calculates a 20-bit physical address by shifting the 16-bit segment base address left by 4 bits (multiplying by 16) and adding a 16-bit offset address. This allows relocation of code and separates code, data, and stack areas.