The 8085 Prentice Hall 2014: R. Gaonkar Microprocessor Architecture Programming And Applications With
| IC | Purpose | Gaonkar Examples | |----|---------|------------------| | | 256 bytes RAM + 3 I/O ports + timer | Use for simple keypad scan | | 8255 (PPI) | 24 programmable I/O lines | Mode 0: Traffic light; Mode 1: Handshake I/O | | 8279 | Keyboard/display interface | Matrix keyboard + 7-segment display | | 8253/8254 | Programmable interval timer | Frequency divider; square wave generation | | 8259 | Priority interrupt controller | Cascade with 8085 INTR | | ADC0804 (not from Intel) | Analog to digital | Interface with 8085 via port |
The book also contains several practical appendices, including the complete 8085 instruction set, ASCII code table, solutions to selected problems, and datasheets for key peripheral devices, making it an invaluable reference.
The text provides exhaustive coverage of vital support chips, including the 8255 PPI (Programmable Peripheral Interface), the 8259 PIC (Programmable Interrupt Controller), and the 8254 PIT (Programmable Interval Timer).
– Covers the 8085's physical pins, bus structures, and memory interfacing techniques. | IC | Purpose | Gaonkar Examples |
: For generating precise delays and square waves without taxing the CPU.
| Edition | Year | Key Features & Updates | Publisher(s) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 1984 | The first-of-its-kind integrated treatment of hardware and software. Titled "Microprocessor architecture, programming, and applications with the 8085/8080A." | Merrill Publishing Company | | 4th Edition | 1999 | Replaced the Intel SDK-85 system with the EMAC Primer trainer for modern PCs. Added interfaces for LCD modules and the 8237 DMA controller. | Prentice Hall | | 5th Edition | 2002 | A major overhaul reflecting "the most recent technological changes." Expanded coverage of software development and cross-assemblers for PCs. Added a block diagram of the Microprocessor-Controlled Temperature System ( MCTS ). | Prentice Hall / Penram International | | 2014 Reprint / 6th Ed. | 2010/2014 | A reprint of the 5th edition by Penram International with minor corrections. The 2014 catalog entry lists it as a "5th ed. reprint" (820 pages) . Penram also published a true 6th Edition in 2010 (ISBN 9788187972884). | Penram International Publishing Pvt. Ltd. / Prentice Hall |
The Definitive Guide to Ramesh Gaonkar’s "Microprocessor Architecture, Programming, and Applications with the 8085" : For generating precise delays and square waves
It is easy to wonder why universities still teach an 8-bit processor from the late 1970s in an era of 64-bit multi-core giants. Gaonkar addresses this implicitly through his pedagogical approach. Why the 8085 Matters
Microprocessor Architecture, Programming, and Applications with the 8085 is not just a historical account; it is a fundamental guide. It excels in:
🔹 Although modern CPUs are complex, the 8085 offers the perfect "training wheels" for understanding how a CPU fetches, decodes, and executes instructions. Gaonkar’s explanation of timing diagrams and control signals is still considered one of the clearest in print. Added interfaces for LCD modules and the 8237 DMA controller
Despite these, the consensus on engineering forums (Quora, Reddit’s r/embedded, StackExchange) is that Gaonkar’s 2014 edition is the single best 8085 reference ever published.
In an era dominated by advanced ARM microcontrollers and x86 architectures, one might question the modern relevance of a book centered on a 1970s-era 8-bit processor. However, Gaonkar’s text remains highly relevant for several compelling reasons:
Attempting to learn computer architecture via a modern x86 processor is counterproductive for a beginner due to hundreds of registers, complex caching layers, and pipeline architectures. The 8085 offers a complete, transparent, and graspable microcosm of computing logic. 6. Conclusion
Using IN and OUT instructions to communicate with external devices, such as keyboards, displays, and sensors.
Gaonkar covers the architecture and programming of crucial companion ICs that expand the 8085’s capabilities: