INTERRUPT CONTROL UNIT

8.3.6Edge and Level Triggering

The external interrupts (INT3:0) can be programmed for either edge or level triggering (see “In- terrupt Control Registers” on page 8-12). Both types of triggering are active high. An edge-trig- gered interrupt is generated by a zero-to-one transition on an external interrupt pin. The pin must remain high until after the CPU acknowledges the interrupt, then must go low to reset the edge- detection circuitry. (See the current data sheet for timing requirements.) The edge-detection cir- cuitry must be reset to enable further interrupts to occur.

A level-triggered interrupt is generated by a valid logic one on the external interrupt pin. The pin must remain high until after the CPU acknowledges the interrupt. Unlike edge-triggered inter- rupts, level-triggered interrupts will continue to occur if the pin remains high. A level-triggered external interrupt pin must go low before the EOI command to prevent another interrupt.

NOTE

When external 8259As are cascaded into the Interrupt Control Unit, INT0 and INT1 must be programmed for level-triggered interrupts.

8.3.7Additional Latency and Response Time

The Interrupt Control Unit adds 5 clocks to the interrupt latency of the CPU. Cascade mode adds 13 clocks to the interrupt response time because the CPU must run the interrupt acknowledge bus cycles. (See Figure 8-3 on page 8-11 and Figure 2-27 on page 2-46.)

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Intel 80C186XL, 80C188XL user manual Edge and Level Triggering, Additional Latency and Response Time