Minimum Mode of 8086

5/11/24, 12:30 AM Minimum mode configuration of 8086 microprocessor (Min mode) - GeeksforGeeks
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Minimum mode configuration of 8086

microprocessor (Min mode)
Last Updated : 29 Dec, 2021
Overview :
The 8086 microprocessor operates in minimum mode when MN/MX’ = 1.

In minimum mode,8086 is the only processor in the system which
provides all the control signals which are needed for memory operations
and I/O interfacing.
Here the circuit is simple but it does not support multiprocessing.
The other components which are transceivers, latches, 8284 clock
generator, 74138 decoder, memory and i/o devices are also present in the
system.
The address bus of 8086 is 20 bits long. By this we can access 220 byte
memory i.e. 1MB . Out of 20 bits, 16 bits A0 to A15(or 16 lines) are
multiplexed with a data bus. By multiplexing, it means they will act as
address lines during the first T state of the machine cycle and in the rest,
they act as data lines. A16 to A19 are multiplexed S3 to S6 and BHE’ is
multiplexed with S7.
Control signals provided by 8086 for memory operations and i/o

interfacing :
They are used to identifying whether the bus is carrying a valid address or
not , in which direction data is needed to be transferred over the bus, when
there is valid write data on the data bus and when to put read data on the
system bus. Therefore, their sequence pattern makes all the operations
successful in a particular machine cycle.
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Min mode circuit
8282 (8 bits) latch :

The latches are buffered D FF. They are used to separate the valid address
from the multiplexed Address/data bus by using the control signal ALE,
which is connected to strobe(STB) of 8282. The ALE is active high signal.
Here three such latches are required because the address is 20 bits.
8286 (8 bits) transceivers :

They are bidirectional buffers and also known as data amplifiers. They are
used to separate the valid data from multiplexed add/data bus. Two such
transceivers are needed because the data bus is 16 bits long. 8286 is
connected to DT/R’ and DEN’ signals. They are enabled through the DEN
signal .The direction of data on the data bus is controlled by the DT/R’ signal.
DT/R’ is connected to T and DEN’ is connected to OE’.
Direction of data flow
8284 clock generator is used to provide the clock.

M/IO’= 1,then I/O transfer is performed over the bus. and when M/IO’ = 0,
then I/O operation is performed.
The signals RD’ and write WR’ are used to identify whether a read bus
cycle or a write bus cycle is performing. When WR’ = 0 ,then it indicates
that valid output data on the data bus.
RD’ indicates that the 8086 is performing a read data or instruction fetch
process is occurring .During read operations, one other control signal is
also used, which is DEN ( data enable) and it indicates the external
devices when they should put data on the bus.
Control signals for all operations are generated by decoding M/IO’, RD’,
WR’. They are decoded by 74138 3:8 decoder.
INTR and INTA :

When INTR = 1,then there is an interrupt to 8086 by other devices for
their service. When INTA’= 0,then it indicates that the processor is ready
to service them.
The bus request is made by other devices using the HOLD signal and the
processor acknowledges them using the HLDA output signal.
For more details about the 8086 minimum mode pins please refer(this
article).
Timing diagram :
The working of min mode can be easily understood by timing diagrams.
All processors bus cycle is of at least 4 T-states(T1,T2,T3,T4) .The address

is given by processor in the T1 state. It is available on the bus for one T-
state.
In T2, the bus is tristated for changing the direction of the bus( in the case
of a data read cycle.)
The data transfer takes place between T3 and T4.
If the addressed device is slower, then the wait state is inserted between
T3 and T4.
Opcode fetch or read timing diagram
At T1 state ALE =1 ,this indicates that a valid address is latched on the

address bus and also M / IO’= 1, which indicates the memory operation is
in progress.
In T2, the address is removed from the local bus and is sent to the
addressed device. Then the bus is tristated.
When RD’ = 0 , the valid data is present on the data bus.
During T2 DEN’ =0, which enables transceivers and DT/R’ = 0 ,which
indicates that the data is received.
During T3, data is put on the data bus and the processor reads it.
The output device makes the READY line high. This means the output
device has performed the data transfer process. When the processor
makes the read signal to 1, then the output device will again tristate its
bus drivers.
Write memory cycle
At T1 state ALE =1 ,this indicates that a valid address is latched on the

address bus and also M / IO’= 1, which indicates the memory operation is
in progress.
In T2, the processor sends the data to be written to the addressed
location.
The data is buffered on the bus until the middle of T4 state.
The WR’=0 becomes at the beginning of T2.
The BHE’ and A0 signals are used to select the byte or bytes of memory
or I/O word.
During T2 DEN’ =0, which enables, transceivers and DT/R’ = 1 ,which
indicates that the data is transferred by the processor to the addressed
device.
All kinds of memory and i/o operations are performed using the decoding of
M/IO’and RD’ WR’ as shown in the table above.
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5/11/24, 12:30 AM Minimum mode configuration of 8086 microprocessor (Min mode) - GeeksforGeeks

Minimum mode configuration of 8086

The 8086 microprocessor operates in minimum mode when MN/MX’ = 1.

Control signals provided by 8086 for memory operations and i/o

Min mode circuit

8282 (8 bits) latch :

8286 (8 bits) transceivers :

Direction of data flow

8284 clock generator is used to provide the clock.

INTR and INTA :

All processors bus cycle is of at least 4 T-states(T1,T2,T3,T4) .The address

Opcode fetch or read timing diagram

At T1 state ALE =1 ,this indicates that a valid address is latched on the

Write memory cycle

At T1 state ALE =1 ,this indicates that a valid address is latched on the

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