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Automotive Interview Questions

CAN INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:                                                    
1. What is CAN and its uses? 
Answer: 1. CAN is a multi-master broadcast serial bus standard for connecting electronic
control unit (ECUs).
2. Controller–area network (CAN or CAN-bus) is a vehicle bus standard designed to allow
microcontrollers  a devices to communicate with each other within a vehicle without a host
computer.

3. CAN is a message-based protocol, designed specifically for automotive applications but

now also used in other areas such as industrial automation and medical equipment.

4. The Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is a serial asynchronous bus used in
instrumentation applications for industries such as automobiles.
USES:
– More reliably, e.g., fewer plug-in connectors that might cause
errors.
– Wiring less complicated, more economic.
– Easy to implement, changes, too.
– Additional elements (e.g., control units) are easy to integrate.
– Installation place exchangeable without electric problems.
– Wire may be diagnosed.

 2.     CAN frame works?

Answer: SOF – 1 Dominant
Arbitration Field – 11 bit Identifier, 1 bit RTR (or) 11 bit, 1SRR, 1IDE, 18 bit, 1RTR

Control Field – IDE, r0, 4 bits (DLC)

Data Field – (0-8) Bytes

CRC Field – 15 bits, Delimiter (1 bit recessive)

ACK Field – 1 bit, Delimiter (1 bit recessive)

EOF – 7 bits recessive

IFS – 3 bits recessive

Types of frames – Data, remote, Error frame and Overload frame

Types of errors – ACK error, Bit error, Stuff error, Form error, CRC error

Error frame – 0-12 superposition flags, 8 recessive (Delimiter)

Overload frame – 0-12 superposition flags, 8 recessive (Delimiter)

3.     Why CAN is having 120 ohms at each end?

Answer: To minimize the reflection reference, to reduce noise. To ensure that reflection
does not cause communication failure, the transmission line must be terminated.
4.     Why CAN is message oriented protocol?
Answer: CAN protocol is a message-based protocol, not an address based protocol. This
means that messages are not transmitted from one node to another node based on
addresses. Embedded in the CAN message itself is the priority and the contents of the data
being transmitted. All nodes in the system receive every message transmitted on the bus
(and will acknowledge if the message was properly received). It is up to each node in the
system to decide whether the message received should be immediately discarded or kept to
be processed. A single message can be destined for one particular node to receive, or many
nodes based on the way the network and system are designed. For example, an automotive
airbag sensor can be connected via CAN to a safety system router node only. This router
node takes in other safety system information and routes it to all other nodes on the safety
system network. Then all the other nodes on the safety system network can receive the
latest airbag sensor information from the router at the same time, acknowledge if the
message was received properly, and decide whether to utilize this information or discard it.
5.     CAN logic what it follows?
Answer: Wired AND logic
6.     What is CAN Arbitration?
Answer: CAN Arbitration is nothing but the node trying to take control on the CAN bus.
7.     How CAN will follow the Arbitration?
Answer: CSMA/CD + AMP (Arbitration on Message Priority)
Two bus nodes have got a transmission request. The bus access method is CSMA/CD+AMP
(Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection and Arbitration on Message Priority).
According to this algorithm both network nodes wait until the bus is free (Carrier Sense). In
that case the bus is free both nodes transmit their dominant start bit (Multiple Access).
Every bus node reads back bit by bit from the bus during the complete message and
compares the transmitted value with the received value. As long as the bits are identical
from both transmitters nothing happens. The first time there was a difference – in this
example the 7th bit of the message – the arbitration process takes place: Node A transmits a
dominant level, node B transmits a recessive level. The recessive level will be overwritten by
the dominant level. This is detected by node B because the transmitted value is not equal to
the received value (Collision Detection). At this point of time node B has lost the arbitration,
stops the transmission of any further bit immediately and switches to receive mode,
because the message that has won the arbitration must possibly be processed by this node
(Arbitration on Message Priority)
For example, consider three CAN devices each trying to transmit messages:

•  Device 1 – address 433 (decimal or 00110110001 binary)

•  Device 2 – address 154 (00010011010)
•  Device 3 – address 187 (00010111011)

Assuming all three see the bus is idle and begin transmitting at the same time, this is how
the arbitration works out. All three devices will drive the bus to a dominant state for the
start-of-frame (SOF) and the two most significant bits of each message identifier. Each
device will monitor the bus and determine success. When they write bit 8 of the message ID,
the device writing message ID 433 will notice that the bus is in the dominant state when it
was trying to let it be recessive, so it will assume a collision and give up for now. The
remaining devices will continue writing bits until bit 5, then the device writing message ID
187 will notice a collision and abort transmission. This leaves the device writing message ID
154 remaining. It will continue writing bits on the bus until complete or an error is detected.
Notice that this method of arbitration will always cause the lowest numerical value message
ID to have priority. This same method of bit-wise arbitration and prioritization applies to the
18-bit extension in the extended format as well.

8.     What is the speed of CAN?

Answer: 40m @1Mbps and if the cable length increases will decrease the speed, due to RLC
on the cable.
 9.     If master sends 764 and Slave sends 744 which will get the arbitration?
Answer: Starts from MSB, first nibble is same, Master sends 7, slaves also sends 7 the
message with more dominant bits will gain the arbitration, lowest the message identifier
higher the priority.
10.   Standard CAN and Extended CAN difference?
Answer: Number of identifiers can be accommodated for standard frame are 2power11.
 Number of identifiers more compare to base frame, for extended frame are 2power29.
IDE bit – 1 for extended frame.

IDE bit – 0 for Standard frame.

11.   What is bit stuffing?

Answer: CAN uses a Non-Return-to-Zero protocol, NRZ-5, with bit stuffing. The idea behind
bit stuffing is to provide a guaranteed edge on the signal so the receiver can resynchronize
with the transmitter before minor clock discrepancies between the two nodes can cause a
problem. With NRZ-5 the transmitter transmits at most five consecutive bits with the same
value. After five bits with the same value (zero or one), the transmitter inserts a stuff bit
with the opposite state.
12. What is the use of bit stuffing?
Answer: Long NRZ messages cause problems in receivers
• Clock drift means that if there are no edges, receivers lose track of bits

• Periodic edges allow receiver to resynchronize to sender clock

13.     What are the functions of CAN transceiver?

Answer: The transceiver provides differential transmit capability to the bus and differential
receive capability to the CAN controller. Transceiver provides an advanced interface
between the protocol controller and the physical bus in a Controller Area Network (CAN)
node.
Typically, each node in a CAN system must have a device to convert the digital signals
generated by a CAN controller to signals suitable for transmission over the bus cabling
(differential output). It also provides a buffer between the CAN controller and the high-
voltage spikes that can be generated on the CAN bus by outside sources (EMI, ESD,
electrical transients, etc.).

The can transceiver is a device which detects the signal levels that are used on the CAN bus
to the logical signal levels recognized by a microcontroller.

14.     Functionality of Data link layer in CAN?

Answer: LLC (Logical Link Control) – Overload control, notification, Message filtering and
Recovery management functions.
MAC (Medium Access Control) – Encapsulation/ de-capsulation, error detection and
control, stuffing and de-stuffing and serialization/de-serialization.
15.     What is meant by synchronization?
Answer: Synchronization is timekeeping which requires the coordination of events to
operate a system in unison.
16.     What is meant by Hard synchronization and soft synchronization?
Answer: Hard Synchronization to be performed at every edge from recessive-to-dominant
edge during Bus Idle. Additionally, Hard Synchronization is required for each received SOF
bit. An SOF bit can be received both during Bus Idle, and also during Suspend Transmission
and at the end of Interframe Space. Any node disables Hard Synchronization if it samples an
edge from recessive to dominant or if it starts to send the dominant SOF bit.
Two types of synchronization are supported:

– Hard synchronization is done with a falling edge on the bus while the bus is idle, which
is interpreted as a Start of frame (SOF). It restarts the internal Bit Time Logic.
– Soft synchronization is used to lengthen or shorten a bit time while a CAN frame is
received.
17.     What is the difference between function and physical addressing?
Answer: Functional addressing is an addressing scheme that labels messages based
upon their operation code or content. Physical addressing is an addressing scheme that
labels messages based upon the physical address location of their source and/or
destination(s).
18.     What happens if I have to send more than 8-bytes of data?
Answer: The J1939 standard has defined a method of communicating more than 8 bytes of
data by sending the data in packets as specified in the Transport Protocol (TP). There are
two types of TP, one for broadcasting the data, and the other for sending it to a specific
address.
DTC consists of 4 components – SPN, FMI, OC and CM.

A DTC is a combination of four independent fields: the Suspect Parameter Number (SPN) of
the channel or feature that can have faults; a Failure Mode Identifier (FMI) of the specific
fault; the occurrence count (OC) of the SPN/FMI combination; and the SPN conversion
method (CM) which tells the receiving mode how to interpret the SPN. Together, the SPN,
FMI, OC and CM form a number that a diagnostic tool can use to understand the failure that
is being reported.

Figure 1 – Message format

19.     What is KWP2000?
Answer:  KWP 2000(ISO14230) is a Diagnostic communications standard. Specifies possible
system configurations using the K & L lines. As 9141-2 but limited to the physical
characteristics. Specifies possible system configurations using the K & L lines.
 5 Baud wake up as 9141- 2
 New fast initialisation method
20.     What is OBDII?
Answer:  On-Board Diagnostics in an automotive context is a generic term referring to a
vehicle’s self-diagnostic and reporting capability
21.     Why Diagnostic Standards?
Answer:  As systems got more complex the link between cause and symptom became less
obvious. This meant that electronic systems had to have some level of self diagnosis and to
communicate to the outside world. Initially many systems used their own protocols which
meant that garages had to have a large number of tools – even to diagnose a single vehicle.
 22.     What is meant by verification and validation??
Answer: Verification and Validation (V&V) is the process of checking that a software system
meets specifications and that it fulfills its intended purpose. It is normally part of the
software testing process of a project.
According to the Capability Maturity Model (CMMI-SW v1.1),

 Verification: The process of evaluating software to determine whether the products of

a given development phase satisfy the conditions imposed at the start of that phase.
 Validation: The process of evaluating software during or at the end of the
development process to determine whether it satisfies specified requirements.
 Verification shows conformance with specification; validation shows that the
program meets the customer’s needs
 23.  Can you have two transmitters using the same exact header field?
Answer:  No – that would produce a bus conflict
• Unless you have middleware that ensures only one node can transmit at a time

– For example use a low priority message as a token to emulate token-passing

24.   CAN physical layer voltage levels

25. CAN bit timing:

According to the CAN specification, the bit time is divided into four segments. The
Synchronization Segment, the Propagation Time Segment, the Phase Buffer Segment 1, and
the Phase Buffer Segment 2. Each segment consists of a specific, programmable number of
time quanta (see Table 1). The length of the time quantum (tq), which is the basic time unit
of the bit time, is defined by the CAN controller’s system clock fsys and the Baud Rate
Prescaler (BRP) :tq = BRP / fsys. Typical system clocks are : fsys = fosc or fsys = fosc/2.

The Synchronization Segment Sync_Seg is that part of the bit time where edges of the CAN
bus level are expected to occur; the distance between an edge that occurs outside of
Sync_Seg and the Sync_Seg is called the phase error of that edge. The Propagation Time
Segment Prop_Seg is intended to compensate for the physical delay times within the CAN
network. The Phase Buffer Segments Phase_Seg1 and Phase_Seg2 surround the Sample
Point. The (Re-)Synchronization Jump Width (SJW) defines how far a resynchronization may
move the Sample Point inside the limits defined by the Phase Buffer Segments to
compensate for edge phase errors.
 
Two types of synchronization exist : Hard Synchronization and Resynchronization. A Hard
Synchronization is done once at the start of a frame; inside a frame only Resynchronizations
occur.

• Hard Synchronization After a hard synchronization, the bit time is restarted with the
end of Sync_Seg, regardless of the edge phase error. Thus hard synchronization forces the
edge which has caused the hard synchronization to lie within the synchronization segment
of the restarted bit time.
• Bit Resynchronization Resynchronization leads to a shortening or lengthening of the bit
time such that the position of the sample point is shifted with regard to the edge.
26. Formula for Baudrate calculation?
 The baud rate is calculated as:

baud rate (bits per second) = 18.432 x 10^6 / BRP / (1 + TSEG1 + TSEG2)

27. What happen when two CAN nodes are sending same identifier at a same
time?
Two nodes on the network are not allowed to send messages with the same id. If two nodes
try to send a message with the same id at the same time arbitration will not work. Instead,
one of the transmitting nodes will detect that his message is distorted outside of the
arbitration field. The nodes will then use the error handling of CAN, which in this case
ultimately will lead to one of the transmitting node being switched off (bus-off mode).

28. what is the difference between Bit Rate and Baud Rate?
 The difference between Bit and Baud rate is complicated and intertwining. Both are
dependent and inter-related. But the simplest explanation is that a Bit Rate is how many
data bits are transmitted per second. A baud Rate is the number of times per second a
signal in a communications channelchanges.Bit rates measure the number of data bits
(that is 0′s and 1′s) transmitted in one second in a communication channel. A figure of 2400
bits per second means 2400 zeros or ones can be transmitted in one second, hence the
abbreviation “bps.” Individual characters (for example letters or numbers) that are also
referred to as bytes are composed of several bits.A baud rate is the number of times a signal
in a communications channel changes state or varies. For example, a 2400 baud rate means
that the channel can change states up to 2400 times per second. The term “change state”
means that it can change from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0 up to X (in this case, 2400) times per
second. It also refers to the actual state of the connection, such as voltage, frequency, or
phase level).The main difference between the
two is that one change of state can transmit
one bit, or slightly more or less than one bit,
that depends on the modulation technique
used. So the bit rate (bps) and baud rate (baud
per second) have this connection:bps = baud
per second x the number of bit per baudThe
modulation technique determines the number
of bit per baud. Here are two examples:When
FSK (Frequency Shift Keying, a transmission
technique) is used, each baud transmits one bit.
Only one change in state is required to send a
bit. Thus, the modem’s bps rate is equal to the baud rate. When a baud rate of 2400 is used,
a modulation technique called phase modulation that transmits four bits per baud is used.
So:2400 baud x 4 bits per baud = 9600 bpsSuch modems are capable of 9600 bps
operation.
C Interview Questions :
1.     What is the difference between declaration and definition?
Answer: Definition means where a variable or function is defined in reality and actual
memory is allocated for variable or function.
Declaration means just giving a reference of a variable and function.
2.     What are the different storage classes in C?
Answer: AUTO, STATIC, EXTERN, REGISTER
auto is the default storage class for local variables.
{

int Count;

auto int Month;

register is used to define local variables that should be stored in a register instead of RAM
This means that the variable has a maximum size equal to the register size (usually one
word) and cannot have the unary ‘&’ operator applied to it (as it does not have a memory
location).
                    {

                      register int  Miles;

                    }
Register should only be used for variables that require quick access – such as counters. It
should also be noted that defining ‘register’ goes not mean that the variable will be stored in
a register. It means that it MIGHT be stored in a register – depending on hardware and
implementation restrictions.

static – Storage Class

static is the default storage class for global variables. The two variables below
(count and road) both have a static storage class.
     static int Count;int Road;main()
{printf(“%d\n”, Count);printf(“%d\n”, Road);}
‘static’ can also be defined within a function. If this is done, the variable is initalized at
compilation time and retains its value between calls. Because it is initialized at compilation
time, the initialization value must be a constant. This is serious stuff – tread with care.

     void Func(void){static Count=1;}

Here is an example

There is one very important use for ‘static’. Consider this bit of code.

     char *Func(void);main(){char *Text1;Text1

= Func();}char *Func(void){char
Text2[10]=”martin”;return(Text2);}
‘Func’ returns a pointer to the memory location where ‘Text2′ starts BUT Text2 has a storage
class of auto and will disappear when we exit the function and could be overwritten by
something else. The answer is to specify:

     static char Text[10]=”martin”;

The storage assigned to ‘Text2′ will remain reserved for the duration if the program.

extern – storage Class

extern defines a global variable that is visable to ALL object modules. When you use
‘extern’ the variable cannot be initalized as all it does is point the variable name at a
storage location that has been previously defined.
Source 1                                                                 Source 2

——–                                                                     ——–

extern int count;                                                     int count=5;

write()                                                                           main()

{                                                                                      {
printf(“count is %d\n”, count);                                   write();

}                                                                                       }

Count in ‘source 1′ will have a value of 5. If source 1 changes the value of count – source 2
will see the new value. Here are some example source files.

 3.     What is interrupt?
 Answer: Interrupts (also known as traps or exceptions in some processors) are a technique
of diverting the processor from the execution of the current program so that it may deal with
some event that has occurred. Such an event may be an error from a peripheral, or simply
that an I/O device has finished the last task it was given and is now ready for another. An
interrupt is generated in your computer every time you type a key or move the mouse. You
can think of it as a hardware-generated function call.
 4.     What is Hardware Interrupt?
Answer: There are two ways of telling when an I/O device (such as a serial controller or a
disk controller) is ready for the next sequence of data to be transferred. The first is busy
waiting or polling, where the processor continuously checks the device’s status register until
the device is ready. This wastes the processor’s time but is the simplest to implement. For
some time-critical applications, polling can reduce the time it takes for the processor to
respond to a change of state in a peripheral.
5.  What is Software Interrupt?
Answer: A software interrupt is generated by an instruction. It is the lowest-priority
interrupt and is generally used by programs to request a service to be performed by the
system software (operating system or firmware).
Difference between Hardware Interrupt and Software Interrupt
An interrupt is a special signal that causes the computer’s central processing unit to
suspend what it is doing and transfers its control to a special program called an interrupt
handler. The responsibility of an interrupt handler is to determine what caused the
interrupt, service the interrupt and then return the control to the point from where the
interrupt was caused. The difference between hardware interrupt and software
interrupt is as below:
Hardware Interrupt: This interrupt is caused by some external device such as request to
start an I/O or occurrence of a hardware failure.
Software Interrupt: This interrupt can be invoked with the help of INT instruction. A
programmer triggered this event that immediately stops execution of the program and
passes execution over to the INT handler. The INT handler is usually a part of the operating
system and determines the action to be taken e.g. output to the screen, execute file etc.
Thus a software interrupt as it’s name suggests is driven by a software instruction and a
hardware interrupt is the result of external causes.

6. What is Interrupt latency? How do you measure interrupt latency? How to

reduce the interrupt latency?
Answer: Interrupt latency is the time between interrupt request and execution of first
instruction of the ISR.
We need a oscilloscope or a logic state analyzer. By entering the interrupt service routine
(ISR), you need to activate an available port on your hardware (like a led port or so on) and
deactivate it just before returning from the ISR. You can do that by writing the appropriate
code.

By connecting one input of the oscilloscope (or logic state analyzer) to the INTR pin of the
microprocessor and the second one to the port you activate/deactivate, you can measure
the latency time and the duration of the ISR

Causes of interrupt latencies

  The first delay is typically in the hardware: The interrupt request signal needs to be
synchronized to the CPU clock. Depending on the synchronization logic, typically up
to 3 CPU cycles can be lost before the interrupt request has reached the CPU core.
  The CPU will typically complete the current instruction. This instruction can take a lot
of cycles; on most systems, divide, push-multiple or memory-copy instructions are
the instructions which require most clock cycles. On top of the cycles required by the
CPU, there are in most cases additional cycles required for memory access. In an
ARM7 system, the instruction STMDB SP!,{R0-R11,LR}; Push parameters and perm.
Registers is typically the worst case instruction. It stores 13 32-bit registers on the
stack. The CPU requires 15 clock cycles. The memory system may require additional
cycles for wait states.
 After completion of the current instruction, the CPU performs a mode switch or
pushes registers (typically PC and flag registers) on the stack. In general, modern
CPUs (such as ARM) perform a mode switch, which requires less CPU cycles than
saving registers.
 Pipeline fill: Most modern CPUs are pipelined. Execution of an instruction happens in
various stages of the pipeline. An instruction is executed when it has reached its final
stage of the pipeline. Since the mode switch has flushed the pipeline, a few extra
cycles are required to refill the pipeline.
7.  Vonneuman and harvard architecture differences?
Answer: The name Harvard Architecture comes from the Harvard Mark I relay-based
computer. The most obvious characteristic of the Harvard Architecture is that it has
physically separate signals and storage for code and data memory. It is possible to access
program memory and data memory simultaneously. Typically, code (or program) memory is
read-only and data memory is read-write. Therefore, it is impossible for program contents to
be modified by the program itself.
The vonneumann Architecture is named after the mathematician and early computer
scientist John von Neumann. von Neumann machines have shared signals and memory for
code and data. Thus, the program can be easily modified by itself since it is stored in read-
write memory.
Harvard architecture has separate data and instruction busses, allowing transfers to be
performed simultaneously on both buses. Von Neumann architecture has only one bus
which is used for both data transfers and instruction fetches, and therefore data transfers
and instruction fetches must be scheduled – they cannot be performed at the same time.
It is possible to have two separate memory systems for a Harvard architecture. As long as
data and instructions can be fed in at the same time, then it doesn’t matter whether it
comes from a cache or memory. But there are problems with this. Compilers generally
embed data (literal pools) within the code, and it is often also necessary to be able to write
to the instruction memory space, for example in the case of self modifying code, or, if an
ARM debugger is used, to set software breakpoints in memory. If there are two completely
separate, isolated memory systems, this is not possible. There must be some kind of bridge
between the memory systems to allow this.
Using a simple, unified memory system together with a Harvard architecture is highly
inefficient. Unless it is possible to feed data into both buses at the same time, it might be
better to use a von Neumann architecture processor.

Use of caches
At higher clock speeds, caches are useful as the memory speed is proportionally
slower. Harvard architectures tend to be targeted at higher performance systems, and so
caches are nearly always used in such systems.
Von Neumann architectures usually have a single unified cache, which stores both
instructions and data. The proportion of each in the cache is variable, which may be a good
thing. It would in principle be possible to have separate instruction and data caches, storing
data and instructions separately. This probably would not be very useful as it would only be
possible to ever access one cache at a time.
Caches for Harvard architectures are very useful. Such a system would have separate
caches for each bus. Trying to use a shared cache on a Harvard architecture would be very
inefficient since then only one bus can be fed at a time. Having two caches means it is
possible to feed both buses simultaneously….exactly what is necessary for a Harvard
architecture.

This also allows to have a very simple unified memory system, using the same address
space for both instructions and data. This gets around the problem of literal pools and self
modifying code. What it does mean, however, is that when starting with empty caches, it is
necessary to fetch instructions and data from the single memory system, at the same time.
Obviously, two memory accesses are needed therefore before the core has all the data
needed. This performance will be no better than a von Neumann architecture. However, as
the caches fill up, it is much more likely that the instruction or data value has already been
cached, and so only one of the two has to be fetched from memory. The other can be
supplied directly from the cache with no additional delay. The best performance is achieved
when both instructions and data are supplied by the caches, with no need to access external
memory at all.
This is the most sensible compromise and the architecture used by ARMs Harvard processor
cores. Two separate memory systems can perform better, but would be difficult to
implement

8.     RISC and CISC differences?

Answer:
CISC: (Complex Instruction Set Computer)
Eg: Intel and AMD CPU’s
 CISC chips have a large amount of different and complex instructions.
 CISC chips are relatively slow (compared to RISC chips) per instruction, but use little
(less than RISC) instructions.
 CISC architecture is to complete a task in as few lines of assembly as possible. This is
achieved by building processor hardware that is capable of understanding and
executing a series of operations.
 In CISC, compiler has to do very little work to translate a high-level language
statement into assembly. Because the length of the code is relatively short, very little
RAM is required to store instructions. The emphasis is put on building complex
instructions directly into the hardware.
 When executed, this instruction loads the two values into separate registers,
multiplies the operands in the execution unit, and then stores the product in the
appropriate register.
RISC: (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)
Eg: Apple, ARM processors
 Fewer, simpler and faster instructions would be better, than the large, complex and
slower CISC instructions. However, more instructions are needed to accomplish a
task.
 RISC chips require fewer transistors, which makes them easier to design and cheaper
to produce.
 it’s easier to write powerful optimized compilers, since fewer instructions exist.
 RISC is cheaper and faster.
 RISC puts a greater burden on the software. Software needs to become more
complex. Software developers need to write more lines for the same tasks. Therefore
they argue that RISC is not the architecture of the future, since conventional CISC
chips are becoming faster and cheaper
 Simple instructions that can be executed within one clock cycle.
 “MULT” command described above could be divided into three separate commands:
“LOAD,” which moves data from the memory bank to a register, “PROD,” which finds
the product of two operands located within the registers, and “STORE,” which moves
data from a register to the memory banks.
 At first, this may seem like a much less efficient way of completing the operation.
Because there are more lines of code, more RAM is needed to store the assembly
level instructions. The compiler must also perform more work to convert a high-level
language statement into code of this form.
  Separating the “LOAD” and “STORE” instructions actually reduces the amount of
work that the computer must perform.
 Major problem of RISC – they don’t afford the widespread compatibility, that x86
chips do.
        CISC RISC
Emphasis on hardware Emphasis on software
Includes multi-clock Single-clock,
complex instructions reduced instruction only
Memory-to-memory: Register to register:
“LOAD” and “STORE” “LOAD” and “STORE”
incorporated in instructions are independent instructions
Small code sizes, Low cycles per second,
high cycles per second large code sizes
Transistors used for storing Spends more transistors
complex instructions on memory registers
CISC RISC
Complex instructions require multiple Reduced instructions
cycles take 1 cycle
Only Load and Store
Many instructions can reference instructions can
memory reference memory
Instructions are executed one at a Uses pipelining to
time execute instructions
Few general registers Many general registers
9.     What are the startup code steps?
Answer:
1. Disable all the interrupts.
2. Copy and initialized data from ROM to RAM.
3. Zero the uninitialized data area.
4. Allocate space and for initialize the stack.
5. Initialize the processor stack pointer
6. Call main
10.     What are the booting steps for a CPU?
Answer:
 The power supply does a self check and sends a power-good signal to the CPU.
The CPU starts executing the code stored in ROM on the motherboard starts the address
0xFFFF0.

 The routines in ROM test the central hardware, search for video ROM, perform a
checksum on the video ROM and executes the routines in video ROM.
 The routines in the mother board ROM then continue searching for any ROM,
checksum and executes these routines.
 After performing the POST (Power On-Self Test) is executed. The system will search
for a boot device.
 Assuming that the valid boot device is found, IO.SYS is loaded into memory and
executed.IO.SYS consists primarily of initialization code and extension to the
memory board ROM BIOS.
  MSDOS.SYS is loaded into memory and executed. MSDOS.SYS contains the DOS
routines.
 CONFIG.SYS (created and modified by the user. load additional device drivers for
peripheral devices), COMMAND.COM (It is command interpreter- It translates the
commands entered by the user. It also contains internal DOS commands. It executes
and AUTOEXEC.BAT),AUTOEXEC.BAT (It contains all the commands that the
user wants which are executed automatically every time the computed is started).
11. What Little-Endian and Big-Endian? How can I determine whether a machine’s
byte order is big-endian or little endian? How can we convert from one to
another?
 First of all, Do you know what Little-Endian and Big-Endian mean?
Little Endian means that the lower order byte of the number is stored in memory at the
lowest address, and the higher order byte is stored at the highest address. That is, the little
end comes first.
For example, a 4 byte, 32-bit integerByte3 Byte2 Byte1 Byte0will be arranged in memory as
follows:Base_Address+0 Byte0
Base_Address+1 Byte1
Base_Address+2 Byte2
Base_Address+3 Byte3Intel processors use “Little Endian” byte order.”Big Endian” means
that the higher order byte of the number is stored in memory at the lowest address, and the
lower order byte at the highest address. The big end comes first.Base_Address+0 Byte3
Base_Address+1 Byte2
Base_Address+2 Byte1
Base_Address+3 Byte0Motorola, Solaris processors use “Big Endian” byte order.In “Little
Endian” form, code which picks up a 1, 2, 4, or longer byte number proceed in the same way
for all formats. They first pick up the lowest order byte at offset 0 and proceed from there.
Also, because of the 1:1 relationship between address offset and byte number (offset 0 is
byte 0), multiple precision mathematic routines are easy to code. In “Big Endian” form, since
the high-order byte comes first, the code can test whether the number is positive or
negative by looking at the byte at offset zero. Its not required to know how long the number
is, nor does the code have to skip over any bytes to find the byte containing the sign
information. The numbers are also stored in the order in which they are printed out, so
binary to decimal routines are particularly efficient. Here is some code to determine what is
the type of your machine.
int num = 1;
if(*(char *)&num == 1)
{
printf(“\nLittle-Endian\n”);
}
else
{
printf(“Big-Endian\n”);
}And here is some code to convert from one Endian to another.int myreversefunc(int
num)
{
int byte0, byte1, byte2, byte3;byte0 = (num & x000000FF) >> 0 ;
byte1 = (num & x0000FF00) >> 8 ;
byte2 = (num & x00FF0000) >> 16 ;
byte3 = (num & xFF000000) >> 24 ;return((byte0 << 24) | (byte1 << 16) | (byte2 << 8) |
(byte3 << 0));
}
12. Program to find if a machine is big endian or little endian?
01 #include "stdio.h" 
02 #define BIG_ENDIAN 0 
03 #define LITTLE_ENDIAN 1 
04 int main() 
05 {
06     int value; 
07     value = endian(); 
08     if (value == 1) 
09     printf("Machine is little endian\n",value); 
10     else
11     printf("Machine is Big Endian\n",value); 
12 }
13 int endian() { 
14 short int word = 0x0001; 
15 char *byte = (char *) &word; 
16 return (byte[0] ? LITTLE_ENDIAN : BIG_ENDIAN); 
17 }
13. Swap 2 variables without using temporary variable!
a=a+b
b=a–b
a=a–b
14. Write a program to generate the Fibonacci Series?
#include<stdio.h>
#include<conio.h>
main()
{
int n,i,c,a=0,b=1;
printf(“Enter Fibonacci series of nth term : “);
scanf(“%d”,&n);
printf(“%d %d “,a,b);
for(i=0;i<=(n-3);i++)
{
c=a+b;
a=b;
b=c;
printf(“%d “,c);
}
getch();
}Output :
Enter Fibonacci series of nth term : 7
0 1 1 2 3 5 8  
15. Write a program to find unique numbers in an array?
Answer:
for (i=1;i<=array.length;i++) {
found=false;
for (k=i+1;k<=array.length;k++) {
if (array[i]==array[k]) found=true;
}
if (!found) println(array[i]);
}
16. Write a C program to print Equilateral Triangle using numbers?
01 /* C program to print Equilateral Triangle*/
02 #include<stdio.h>
03 main()
04 {
05       int i,j,k,n; 
06  
07       printf("Enter number of rows  of the triangle \n"); 
08       scanf("%d",&n); 
09  
10       for(i=1;i<=n;i++) 
11       { 
12               for(j=1;j<=n-i;j++) 
13               { 
14                       printf(" "); 
15               } 
16               for(k=1;k<=(2*i)-1;k++) 
17               { 
18                       printf("i"); 
19               } 
20               printf("\n"); 
21       } 
22       getch();
 17. Write a program for deletion and insertion of a node in single linked list?
#include<stdio.h>
#include<stdlib.h>
typedef struct Node
{
int data;
struct Node *next;
}node;
void insert(node *pointer, int data)
{
/* Iterate through the list till we encounter the last node.*/
while(pointer->next!=NULL)
{
pointer = pointer -> next;
}
/* Allocate memory for the new node and put data in it.*/
pointer->next = (node *)malloc(sizeof(node));
pointer = pointer->next;
pointer->data = data;
pointer->next = NULL;
}
int find(node *pointer, int key)
{
pointer =  pointer -> next; //First node is dummy node.
/* Iterate through the entire linked list and search for the key. */
while(pointer!=NULL)
{
if(pointer->data == key) //key is found.
{
return 1;
}
pointer = pointer -> next;//Search in the next node.
}
/*Key is not found */
return 0;
}
void delete(node *pointer, int data)
{
/* Go to the node for which the node next to it has to be deleted */
while(pointer->next!=NULL && (pointer->next)->data != data)
{
pointer = pointer -> next;
}
if(pointer->next==NULL)
{
printf(“Element %d is not present in the list\n”,data);
return;
}
/* Now pointer points to a node and the node next to it has to be removed */
node *temp;
temp = pointer -> next;
/*temp points to the node which has to be removed*/
pointer->next = temp->next;
/*We removed the node which is next to the pointer (which is also temp) */
free(temp);
/* Beacuse we deleted the node, we no longer require the memory used for it .
free() will deallocate the memory.
*/
return;
}
void print(node *pointer)
{
if(pointer==NULL)
{
return;
}
printf(“%d “,pointer->data);
print(pointer->next);
}
int main()
{
/* start always points to the first node of the linked list.
temp is used to point to the last node of the linked list.*/
node *start,*temp;
start = (node *)malloc(sizeof(node));
temp = start;
temp -> next = NULL;
/* Here in this code, we take the first node as a dummy node.
The first node does not contain data, but it used because to avoid handling special cases
in insert and delete functions.
*/
printf(“1. Insert\n”);
printf(“2. Delete\n”);
printf(“3. Print\n”);
printf(“4. Find\n”);
while(1)
{
int query;
scanf(“%d”,&query);
if(query==1)
{
int data;
scanf(“%d”,&data);
insert(start,data);
}
else if(query==2)
{
int data;
scanf(“%d”,&data);
delete(start,data);
}
else if(query==3)
{
printf(“The list is “);
print(start->next);
printf(“\n”);
}
else if(query==4)
{
int data;
scanf(“%d”,&data);
int status = find(start,data);
if(status)
{
printf(“Element Found\n”);
}
else
{
printf(“Element Not Found\n”);                        }
}
}}
18. Can a variable be both const  and volatile? Yes. The const modifier means that
this code cannot change the value of the variable, but that does not mean that the value
cannot be changed by means outside this code. For instance, in the example in  FAQ 8, the
timer structure was accessed through a volatile const pointer. The function itself did not
change the value of the timer, so it was declared const. However, the value was changed by
hardware on the computer, so it was declared volatile. If a variable is both const and
volatile, the two modifiers can appear in either order.
 19. what are Constant and Volatile Qualifiers?
const
 constis used with a datatype declaration or definition to specify an unchanging value
 Examples:
 const int five = 5;

const double pi = 3.141593;

 constobjects may not be changed

 The following are illegal:
 const int five = 5;

 const double pi = 3.141593;

 pi = 3.2;
 five = 6;

volatile
 volatilespecifies a variable whose value may be changed by processes outside the
current program
 One example of a volatileobject might be a buffer used to exchange data with an
external device:
 int

 check_iobuf(void)

 {

 volatile int iobuf;

 int val;

 while (iobuf == 0) {

 }

 val = iobuf;

 iobuf = 0;

 return(val);

if iobuf had not been declared volatile, the compiler would notice that nothing
happens inside the loop and thus eliminate the loop
 const and volatile can be used together
 An input-only buffer for an external device could be declared as const
volatile (or volatile const, order is not important) to make sure the
compiler knows that the variable should not be changed (because it is input-
only) and that its value may be altered by processes other than the current
program
 The keywords const and volatile can be applied to any declaration, including those of
structures, unions, enumerated types or typedef names. Applying them to a declaration is
called qualifying the declaration—that’s why const and volatile are called type qualifiers,
rather than type specifiers. Here are a few representative examples:
volatile i;

volatile int j;

const long q;

const volatile unsigned long int rt_clk;

struct{

const long int li;

signed char sc;

}volatile vs;

Don’t be put off; some of them are deliberately complicated: what they mean will be
explained later. Remember that they could also be further complicated by introducing
storage class specifications as well! In fact, the truly spectacular

extern const volatile unsigned long int rt_clk;

is a strong possibility in some real-time operating system kernels.

Const
Let’s look at what is meant when const is used. It’s really quite simple: const means that
something is not modifiable, so a data object that is declared with const as a part of its type
specification must not be assigned to in any way during the run of a program. It is very likely
that the definition of the object will contain an initializer (otherwise, since you can’t assign to
it, how would it ever get a value?), but this is not always the case. For example, if you were
accessing a hardware port at a fixed memory address and promised only to read from it,
then it would be declared to be const but not initialized.
Taking the address of a data object of a type which isn’t const and putting it into a pointer to
the const-qualified version of the same type is both safe and explicitly permitted; you will be
able to use the pointer to inspect the object, but not modify it. Putting the address of a const
type into a pointer to the unqualified type is much more dangerous and consequently
prohibited (although you can get around this by using a cast). Here is an example:
#include <stdio.h>

#include <stdlib.h>
main(){

int i;

const int ci = 123;

/* declare a pointer to a const.. */

const int *cpi;

/* ordinary pointer to a non-const */

int *ncpi;

cpi = &ci;

ncpi = &i;

/*

* this is allowed

*/

cpi = ncpi;

/*

* this needs a cast

 * because it is usually a big mistake,

* see what it permits below.

*/

ncpi = (int *)cpi;

/*

* now to get undefined behaviour...

* modify a const through a pointer

*/

*ncpi = 0;

exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);

Example  8.3
As the example shows, it is possible to take the address of a constant object, generate a
pointer to a non-constant, then use the new pointer. This is an error in your program and
results in undefined behaviour.
The main intention of introducing const objects was to allow them to be put into read-only
store, and to permit compilers to do extra consistency checking in a program. Unless you
defeat the intent by doing naughty things with pointers, a compiler is able to check
that const objects are not modified explicitly by the user.
An interesting extra feature pops up now. What does this mean?

char c;

char *const cp = &c;

It’s simple really; cp is a pointer to a char, which is exactly what it would be if

the const weren’t there. The const means that cp is not to be modified, although whatever it
points to can be—the pointer is constant, not the thing that it points to. The other way round
is
const char *cp;

which means that now cp is an ordinary, modifiable pointer, but the thing that it points to
must not be modified. So, depending on what you choose to do, both the pointer and the
thing it points to may be modifiable or not; just choose the appropriate declaration.

Volatile
After const, we treat volatile. The reason for having this type qualifier is mainly to do with
the problems that are encountered in real-time or embedded systems programming using C.
Imagine that you are writing code that controls a hardware device by placing appropriate
values in hardware registers at known absolute addresses.
Let’s imagine that the device has two registers, each 16 bits long, at ascending memory
addresses; the first one is the control and status register (csr) and the second is a data port.
The traditional way of accessing such a device is like this:

/* Standard C example but without const or volatile */

/*

* Declare the device registers

* Whether to use int or short

* is implementation dependent

*/

struct devregs{

unsigned short csr; /* control & status */

unsigned short data; /* data port */

};
/* bit patterns in the csr */

#define ERROR 0x1

#define READY 0x2

#define RESET 0x4

/* absolute address of the device */

#define DEVADDR ((struct devregs *)0xffff0004)

/* number of such devices in system */

#define NDEVS 4

/*

* Busy-wait function to read a byte from device n.

* check range of device number.

* Wait until READY or ERROR

* if no error, read byte, return it

* otherwise reset error, return 0xffff

*/

unsigned int read_dev(unsigned devno){

struct devregs *dvp = DEVADDR + devno;

 if(devno >= NDEVS)

return(0xffff);

while((dvp->csr & (READY | ERROR)) == 0)

; /* NULL - wait till done */

if(dvp->csr & ERROR){

dvp->csr = RESET;

return(0xffff);

return((dvp->data) & 0xff);

Example  8.4
The technique of using a structure declaration to describe the device register layout and
names is very common practice. Notice that there aren’t actually any objects of that type
defined, so the declaration simply indicates the structure without using up any store.

To access the device registers, an appropriately cast constant is used as if it were pointing
to such a structure, but of course it points to memory addresses instead.

However, a major problem with previous C compilers would be in the while loop which tests
the status register and waits for the ERROR or READY bit to come on. Any self-respecting
optimizing compiler would notice that the loop tests the same memory address over and
over again. It would almost certainly arrange to reference memory once only, and copy the
value into a hardware register, thus speeding up the loop. This is, of course, exactly what we
don’t want; this is one of the few places where we must look at the place where the pointer
points, every time around the loop.
Because of this problem, most C compilers have been unable to make that sort of
optimization in the past. To remove the problem (and other similar ones to do with when to
write to where a pointer points), the keyword volatile was introduced. It tells the compiler
that the object is subject to sudden change for reasons which cannot be predicted from a
study of the program itself, and forces every reference to such an object to be a genuine
reference.
Here is how you would rewrite the example, making use of const and volatile to get what
you want.
/*

* Declare the device registers

* Whether to use int or short

* is implementation dependent

*/

struct devregs{

unsigned short volatile csr;

unsigned short const volatile data;

};

/* bit patterns in the csr */

#define ERROR 0x1

#define READY 0x2

#define RESET 0x4

/* absolute address of the device */

#define DEVADDR ((struct devregs *)0xffff0004)

/* number of such devices in system */

#define NDEVS 4

/*

* Busy-wait function to read a byte from device n.

* check range of device number.

* Wait until READY or ERROR

* if no error, read byte, return it

* otherwise reset error, return 0xffff

*/

unsigned int read_dev(unsigned devno){

struct devregs * const dvp = DEVADDR + devno;

if(devno >= NDEVS)

return(0xffff);

while((dvp->csr & (READY | ERROR)) == 0)

 ; /* NULL - wait till done */

if(dvp->csr & ERROR){

dvp->csr = RESET;

return(0xffff);

return((dvp->data) & 0xff);

Example  8.5
The rules about mixing volatile and regular types resemble those for const. A pointer to
a volatile object can be assigned the address of a regular object with safety, but it is
dangerous (and needs a cast) to take the address of a volatile object and put it into a
pointer to a regular object. Using such a derived pointer results in undefined behaviour.
If an array, union or structure is declared with const or volatile attributes, then all of the
members take on that attribute too. This makes sense when you think about it—how could a
member of a const structure be modifiable?
That means that an alternative rewrite of the last example would be possible. Instead of
declaring the device registers to be volatile in the structure, the pointer could have been
declared to point to a volatile structure instead, like this:
struct devregs{

unsigned short csr; /* control & status */

unsigned short data; /* data port */

};

volatile struct devregs *const dvp=DEVADDR+devno;

Since dvp points to a volatile object, it not permitted to optimize references through the

pointer. Our feeling is that, although this would work, it is bad style.
The volatile declaration belongs in the structure: it is the device registers which
are volatile and that is where the information should be kept; it reinforces the fact for a
human reader.
So, for any object likely to be subject to modification either by hardware or asynchronous
interrupt service routines, the volatile type qualifier is important.

Now, just when you thought that you understood all that, here comes the final twist. A
declaration like this:

volatile struct devregs{

/* stuff */

}v_decl;

declares the type struct devregs and also a volatile-qualified object of that type,

called v_decl. A later declaration like this
struct devregs nv_decl;

declares nv_decl which is not qualified with volatile! The qualification is not part of the

type of struct devregs but applies only to the declaration of v_decl. Look at it this way
round, which perhaps makes the situation more clear (the two declarations are the same in
their effect):
struct devregs{

/* stuff */

}volatile v_decl;

If you do want to get a shorthand way of attaching a qualifier to another type, you can
use typedef to do it:
struct x{

int a;

};

typedef const struct x csx;

csx const_sx;
struct x non_const_sx = {1};

const_sx = non_const_sx; /* error - attempt to modify a const */

20.What are the differences between a union and a structure in C?

A union is a way of providing an alternate way of describing the same memory area. In this
way, you could have a struct that contains a union, so that the “static”, or similar portion of
the data is described first, and the portion that changes is described by the union. The idea
of a union could be handled in a different way by having 2 different structs defined, and
making a pointer to each kind of struct. The pointer to struct “a” could be assigned to the
value of a buffer, and the pointer to struct “b” could be assigned to the same buffer, but
now a->some field and b->some otherfield are both located in the same buffer. That is the
idea behind a union. It gives different ways to break down the same buffer area.
The difference between structure and union are: 1. union allocates the memory equal to the
maximum memory required by the member of the union but structure allocates the memory
equal to the total memory required by the members. 2. In union, one block is used by all the
member of the union but in case of structure, each member have their own memory space

Difference Between Stucture and Union :

Structure Union
i. Access Members
We can access all the members of Only one member of union can be accessed at
structure at anytime. anytime.
ii. Memory Allocation
Allocates memory for variable which variable
Memory is allocated for all variables. require more memory.
iii. Initialization
All members of structure can be Only the first member of a union can be
initialized initialized.
iv. Keyword
‘struct’ keyword is used to declare
structure. ‘union’ keyword is used to declare union.
v. Syntax
struct struct_name union union_name

{ {

structure element 1; union element 1;

structure element 2; union element 2;

---------- ----------
 ---------- ----------

structure element n; union element n;

}struct_var_nm; }union_var_nm;

vi. Example
struct item_mst union item_mst

{ {

int rno; int rno;

char nm[50]; char nm[50];

}it; }it;

Difference in their Usage:

While structure enables us treat a number of different variables stored at different in
memory , a union enables us to treat the same space in memory as a number of different
variables. That is a Union offers a way for a section of memory to be treated as a variable of
one type on one occasion and as a different variable of a different type on another occasion.
There is frequent requirement while interacting with hardware to access access a byte or
group of bytes simultaneously and sometimes each byte individually. Usually union is the
answer.
=======Difference With example=======

Lets say a structure containing an int,char and float is created and a union containing int
char float are declared.

struct TT{ int a; float b; char c; } Union UU{ int a; float b; char c; }
sizeof TT(struct) would be >9 bytes (compiler dependent-if int,float, char are taken as 4,4,1)
sizeof UU(Union) would be 4 bytes as supposed from above.If a variable in double exists in
union then the size of union and struct would be 8 bytes and cumulative size of all variables
in struct.
Detailed Example:
struct foo
{
char c;
long l;
char *p;
};
union bar
{
char c;
long l;
char *p;
};

A struct foo contains all of the elements c, l, and p. Each element is separate and distinct.

A union bar contains only one of the elements c, l, and p at any given time. Each element is
stored in the same memory location (well, they all
start at the same memory location), and you can only refer to the element which was last
stored. (ie: after “barptr->c = 2;” you cannot reference
any of the other elements, such as “barptr->p” without invoking undefined behavior.)

Try the following program. (Yes, I know it invokes the above-mentioned “undefined
behavior”, but most likely will give some sort of output on most computers.)

==========
#include

struct foo
{
char c;
long l;
char *p;
};

union bar
{
char c;
long l;
char *p;
};

int main(int argc,char *argv[])

{
struct foo myfoo;
union bar mybar;
myfoo.c = 1;
myfoo.l = 2L;
myfoo.p = “This is myfoo”;

mybar.c = 1;
mybar.l = 2L;
mybar.p = “This is mybar”;

printf(“myfoo: %d %ld %s\n”,myfoo.c,myfoo.l,myfoo.p);

printf(“mybar: %d %ld %s\n”,mybar.c,mybar.l,mybar.p);

return 0;
}

==========

On my system, I get:

myfoo: 1 2 This is myfoo

mybar: 100 4197476 This is mybar
==========
credit to original author.

Structure: Structure is a combination elements, which can be predefined data types or

other structure. The length/size of the structure is the sum of the length of its elements.
In C, structures cannot contain functions. in C++ it can.
Union: Union is a combination elements, which can be predefined data types or other
union . But, the size/length of union is the maximum of internal elements.
the sizeof() operator returns the size slightly more than calculated size due to padding,
which again depends on OS
== Answer == Union allocates the memory equal to the maximum memory required by the
member of the union but structure allocates the memory equal to the total memory required
by the members. In union,one block is used by all the member of the union but in case of
structure, each member have their own memory space.
21. What is meant by structure padding?
Answer: compilers pad structures to optimize data transfers. This is an hardware
architecture issue. Most modern CPUs perform best when fundamental types, like ‘int’ or
‘float’, are aligned on memory boundaries of a particular size (eg. often a 4byte word on
32bit archs). Many architectures don’t allow misaligned access or if they do inoccur a
performance penality. When a compiler processes a structure declaration it will add extra
bytes between fields to meet alignment needs.
Most processors require specific memory alignment on variables certain types. Normally the
minimum alignment is the size of the basic type in question, for instance this is common

char variables can be byte aligned and appear at any byte boundary

short (2 byte) variables must be 2 byte aligned, they can appear at any even byte boundary.
This means that 0x10004567 is not a valid location for a short variable but 0x10004566 is.

long (4 byte) variables must be 4 byte aligned, they can only appear at byte boundaries that
are a multiple of 4 bytes. This means that 0x10004566 is not a valid location for a long
variable but 0x10004568 is.

Structure padding occurs because the members of the structure must appear at the correct
byte boundary, to achieve this the compiler puts in padding bytes (or bits if bit fields are in
use) so that the structure members appear in the correct location. Additionally the size of
the structure must be such that in an array of the structures all the structures are correctly
aligned in memory so there may be padding bytes at the end of the structure too

struct example {
char c1;
short s1;
char c2;
long l1;
char c3;
}

In this structure, assuming the alignment scheme I have previously stated then

c1 can appear at any byte boundary, however s1 must appear at a 2 byte boundary so there
is a padding byte between c1 and s1.

c2 can then appear in the available memory location, however l1 must be at a 4 byte
boundary so there are 3 padding bytes between c2 and l1

c3 then appear in the available memory location, however because the structure contains a
long member the structure must be 4 byte aligned and must be a multiple of 4 bytes in size.
Therefore there are 3 padding bytes at the end of the structure. It would appear in memory
in this order

c1
padding byte
s1 byte 1
s1 byte 2
c2
padding byte
padding byte
padding byte
l1 byte 1
l1 byte 2
l1 byte 3
l1 byte 4
c3
padding byte
padding byte
padding byte

The structure would be 16 bytes long.

re-written like this

struct example {
long l1;
short s1;
char c1;
char c2;
char c3;
}

Then l1 appears at the correct byte alignment, s1 will be correctly aligned so no need for
padding between l1 and s1. c1, c2, c3 can appear at any location. The structure must be a
multiple of 4 bytes in size since it contains a long so 3 padding bytes appear after c3
It appears in memory in the order

l1 byte 1
l1 byte 2
l1 byte 3
l1 byte 4
s1 byte 1
s1 byte 2
c1
c2
c3
padding byte
padding byte
padding byte

and is only 12 bytes long.

I should point out that structure packing is platform and compiler (and in some cases
compiler switch) dependent.

Memory Pools are just a section of memory reserved for allocating temporarily to other parts
of the application

A memory leak occurs when you allocate some memory from the heap (or a pool) and then
delete all references to that memory without returning it to the pool it was allocated from.

Program:
 struct  MyStructA {
    char a;
    char b;
    int    c;
 };

 struct MyStructB {
    char a;
    int    c;
    char b;
 };

 int main(void) {
         int sizeA = sizeof(struct MyStructA);
         int sizeB = sizeof(struct MyStructB);

         printf(“A = %d\n”, sizeA);
         printf(“B = %d\n”, sizeB);

         return 0;
 }
22. What is the difference between macro and constant variables in C?
Macros are replaced by preprocessor, but in constant data type will be checked by compiler.
Macros are replaced without checking the values sometimes the programmer want to
change values only in a single function at that prefer to use constant than a macro.
The first technique comes from the C programming language. Constants may be defined
using the preprocessor directive, #define The preprocessor is a program that modifies your
source file prior to compilation. Common preprocessor directives are #include, which is used
to
include additional code into your source file, #define, which is used to define a constant and
#if/#endif, which can be used to conditionally determine which parts of your code will be
compiled. The #define directive is used as follows.

#define pi 3.1415#define id_no 12345

Wherever the constant appears in your source file, the preprocessor replaces it by its value.
So, for instance, every “pi” in your source code will be replace by 3.1415. The compiler will
only see the value 3.1415 in your code, not “pi”. The problem with this technique is that the
replacement is done lexically, without any type checking, without any bound checking and
without any scope checking. Every “pi” is just replaced by its value. The technique is
outdated, exists to support legacy code and should be avoided.
Const
The second technique is to use the keyword const when defining a variable. When used the
compiler will catch attempts to modify variables that have been declared const.
const float pi = 3.1415;const int id_no = 12345;
There are two main advantages over the first technique.

First, the type of the constant is defined. “pi” is float. “id_no” is int. This allows some type
checking by the compiler.&nbs p;
Second, these constants are variables with a definite scope. The scope of a variable relates
to parts of your program in which it is defined. Some variables may exist only in certain
functions or in certain blocks of code.

Ex : You may want to use “id_no” in one function

and a completely unrelated “id_no” in your main program.

23.  What is difference between re-entrant function and recursive function in C?

Answer: Re entrant function is a function which guaranteed that which can be work well
under multi threaded environment. mean while function is access by one thread, another
thread can call it mean there is separate execution stack and handling for each. So function
should not contain any static or shared variable which can harm or disturb the execution.
Mean function which can be called by thread, while running from another thread safely and
properly
Example:
int t;

void swap(int *x, int *y)

{

int s;

s = t; // save global variable

t = *x;

*x = *y;

// hardware interrupt might invoke isr() here!

*y = t;

t = s; // restore global variable

void isr()

int x = 1, y = 2;

swap(&x, &y);

Recursive function Example:

void doll ( int size )
{
if ( size == 0 )   // No doll can be smaller than 1 atom (10^0==1) so doesn’t call itself
return;          // Return does not have to return something, it can be used
//  to exit a function
doll ( size – 1 ); // Decrements the size variable so the next doll will be smaller.
}
int main()
{
doll ( 10 ); //Starts off with a large doll (it’s a logarithmic scale)

24. What is V-Model ? What are the benefits?

The V-model represents a software development process (also applicable to hardware
development) which may be considered an extension of the waterfall model. Instead of
moving down in a linear way, the process steps are bent upwards after the coding phase, to
form the typical V shape. The V-Model demonstrates the relationships between each phase
of the development life cycle and its associated phase of testing.
The V model has a number of benefits:

1. Systems development projects usually have a test approach, or test strategy document,
which defines how testing will be performed throughout the lifecycle of the project. The V
model provides a consistent basis and standard for part of that strategy.

2.  The V model explicitly suggests that testing (quality assurance) should be considered
early on in the life of a project. Testing and fixing can be done at any stage in the lifecycle.
However, the cost of finding and fixing faults increases dramatically as development
progresses. Evidence suggests that if a fault uncovered during design costs 1.0 monetary
unit to correct, then the same fault uncovered just before testing will cost 6.5 units, during
testing 15 units, and after release between 60 and 100 units. The need to find faults as soon
as possible reinforces the need for the quality assurance of documents such as the
requirements specification and the functional specification. This is performed using static
testing techniques such as inspections and walkthroughs.

3.  It introduces the idea of specifying test requirements and expected outcomes prior to
performing the actual tests. For example, the acceptance tests are performed against a
specification of requirements, rather than against some criteria dreamed up when the
acceptance stage has been reached

4. The V model provides a focus for defining the testing that must take place within each
stage. The definition of testing is assisted by the idea of entry and exit criteria. Hence, the
model can be used to define the state a deliverable must be in before it can enter and leave
each stage. The exit criteria of one stage are usually the entry criteria of the next. In many
organizations, there is concern about the quality of the program code released by individual
programmers. Some programmers release code that appears to be fault-free, while others
release code that still has many faults in it. The problem of programmers releasing code
with different levels of robustness would be addressed in the exit criteria of unit design and
unit testing. Unit design would require programmers to specify their intended test cases
before they wrote any program code. Coding could not begin until these test cases had been
agreed with an appropriate manager. Second, the test cases would have to be conducted
successfully before the program could leave the unit test stage and be released to
integration testing.
5. Finally, the V model provides a basis for defining who is responsible for performing the
testing at each stage. Here are some typical responsibilities:

 acceptance testing performed by users

 system testing performed by system testers
 integration testing performed by program team leaders
 unit testing performed by programmers.
The V model is therefore an excellent basis for the partitioning of testing, highlighting the
fact that all the participants in the development of a system have a responsibility for quality
assurance and testing.

25. What is meant by Black box testing and white box testing?
White-box testing (also known as clear box testing, glass box testing, transparent
box testing, and structural testing) is a method of testing software that tests internal
structures or workings of an application, as opposed to its functionality (i.e. black-box
testing). In white-box testing an internal perspective of the system, as well as programming
skills, are used to design test cases. The tester chooses inputs to exercise paths through the
code and determine the appropriate outputs. This is analogous to testing nodes in a circuit,
e.g. in-circuit testing (ICT).
While white-box testing can be applied at the unit, integration and system levels of the
software testing process, it is usually done at the unit level. It can test paths within a unit,
paths between units during integration, and between subsystems during a system–level
test. Though this method of test design can uncover many errors or problems, it might not
detect unimplemented parts of the specification or missing requirement.

Black-box testing is a method of software testing that tests the functionality of an

application as opposed to its internal structures or workings (see white-box testing). This
method of test can be applied to all levels of software testing: unit, integration, system and
acceptance. It typically comprises most if not all testing at higher levels, but can also
dominate unit testing as well.

White Box Testing: Means testing the application with coding /programming knowledge.
That means the tester has to correct the code also.
Black box testing: Testing the application without coding /programming knowledge that
means the tester doesn’t require coding knowledge. Just he examines the application
external functional behaviour and GUI features.

Sl.No Black Box White Box

Focuses on the functionality of the Focuses on the structure (Program) of
1 system the system
2 Techniques used are : Techniques used are:
 Equivalence partitioning  Basis Path Testing
 Boundary-value analysis  Flow Graph Notation
 Error guessing  Control Structure Testing
 1.      Condition Testing

2.      Data Flow testing

 Loop Testing
1.      Simple Loops

2.      Nested Loops

 Race conditions 3.      Concatenated Loops

 Cause-effect graphing
 Syntax testing
4.      Unstructured Loops
 State transition testing
 Graph matrix
3 Tester can be non technical Tester should be technical
Helps to identify the vagueness and
contradiction in functional Helps to identify the logical and coding
4 specifications issues.
26. What are the types of testings?
unit testing

Component testing

Integration testing

System testing

27. The Difference between Bit Rate and Baud Rate?

The difference between Bit and Baud rate is complicated and intertwining. Both are
dependent and inter-related. But the simplest explanation is that a Bit Rate is how many
data bits are transmitted per second. A baud Rate is the number of times per second a
signal in a communications channel changes.

Bit rates measure the number of data bits (that is 0′s and 1′s) transmitted in one second in a
communication channel. A figure of 2400 bits per second means 2400 zeros or ones can be
transmitted in one second, hence the abbreviation “bps.” Individual characters (for example
letters or numbers) that are also referred to as bytes are composed of several bits.

A baud rate is the number of times a signal in a communications channel changes state or
varies. For example, a 2400 baud rate means that the channel can change states up to 2400
times per second. The term “change state” means that it can change from 0 to 1 or from 1
to 0 up to X (in this case, 2400) times per second. It also refers to the actual state of the
connection, such as voltage, frequency, or phase level).
The main difference between the two is that one change of state can transmit one bit, or
slightly more or less than one bit, that depends on the modulation technique used. So the bit
rate (bps) and baud rate (baud per second) have this connection:

bps = baud per second x the number of bit per baud

The modulation technique determines the number of bit per baud. Here are two examples:

When FSK (Frequency Shift Keying, a transmission technique) is used, each baud transmits
one bit. Only one change in state is required to send a bit. Thus, the modem’s bps rate is
equal to the baud rate. When a baud rate of 2400 is used, a modulation technique called
phase modulation that transmits four bits per baud is used. So:

2400 baud x 4 bits per baud = 9600 bps

Such modems are capable of 9600 bps operation.

3)Difference between flash and EEprom

1. Similarities
 Both flash and EEPROM are digital storage methods used by computers and other
devices. Both are non-volatile ROM technologies to which you can write and from
which you can erase multiple times.
Differences

 The primary difference between flash and EEPROM is the way they erase data. While
EEPROM destroys the individual bytes of memory used to store data, flash devices
can only erase memory in larger blocks. This makes flash devices faster at rewriting,
as they can affect large portions of memory at once. Since a rewrite may affect
unused blocks of data, it also adds unnecessarily to usage of the device, shortening
its lifespan in comparison with EEPROM.
Usage

 Flash storage is commonly used in USB memory drives and solid state hard drives.
EEPROM is used in a variety of devices, from programmable VCRs to CD players.
28. Can structures be passed to the functions by value?
Ans: yes structures can be passed by value. But unnecessary memory wastage.

29. Why cannot arrays be passed by values to functions?

Ans : When a array is passed to a function, the array is internally changed to a µpointer. And
pointers are always passed by reference.
30. What is meant by static functions?
Ans: static functions are functions that are only visible to other functions in the same file
Example:
main.c
#include <STDIO.H>

main()

Func1();

Func2();

funcs.c
/*************************************

* Function declarations (prototypes).

*************************************/

/* Func1 is only visable to functions in this file. */

static void Func1(void);

/* Func2 is visable to all functions. */

void Func2(void);

/*************************************
*
 * Function definitions
*
*************************************/

void Func1(void)
{
puts("Func1 called");
}

/*************************************/ void Func2(void)

{
puts("Func2 called");
}
31. Difference between declaration, definition & initialization?
Ans: A declaration introduces a name – an identifier – to the compiler. It tells the compiler
“This function or this variable exists somewhere, and here is what it should look like.”
A definition, on the other hand, says: “Make this variable here” or “Make this function here.”
It allocates storage for the name. This meaning works whether
you’re talking about a variable or a function; in either case, at the point of definition the
compiler allocates storage.

extern const int x = 1; /* Initialization */

This initialization establishes this as a definition, not a declaration.

extern const int x; /* Declaration */

This declaration in C++ means that the definition exists elsewhere.

32. What is the difference between pass by value by reference in c and pass by
reference in c?
Pass By Reference :
In Pass by reference address of the variable is passed to a function.
Whatever changes made to the formal parameter will affect to the actual
parameters
– Same memory location is used for both variables.(Formal and Actual)-
– it is useful when you required to return more then 1 values
Pass By Value:
– In this method value of the variable is passed. Changes made to formal will
not affect the actual parameters.
– Different memory locations will be created for both variables.
– Here there will be temporary variable created in the function stack which
does not affect the original variable.
 33. What is the difference between flash memory, EPROM and EEPROM?
EEPROM is an older, more reliable technology. It is somewhat slower than Flash. Flash and
EEPROM are very similar, but there is a subtle difference. Flash and EEPROM both use
quantum cells to trap electons. Each cell represents one bit of data. The presence – or
absence – of electons in a cell indicates whether the bit is a 1 or 0.The cells have a finite life
– every time a cell is erased, it wears out a little bit. In EEPROM, cells are erased one-by-one.
The only cells erased are those which are 1 but need to be zero. (Writing a 1 to a cell that’s
0 causes very little wear, IIRC)In Flash, a large block is erased all at once. In some devices,
this “block” is the entire device. So in flash, cells are erased whether they need it or not.
This cuts down on the lifespan of the device, but is much, much faster than the EEPROM
method of going cell-by-cell.
Erasure method: Both Flash and EEPROM erase cells by means of an electric field. I think it
is high-frequency and “pops” the electrons out of the Other similar devices are EPROM
(sometimes UVEPROM) and OTPROM (sometimes PROM). EPROM/UVEPROM lacks the
structures that generate the electrical field for erasure. These devices have a window on
top, usually covered by a paper sticker. To erase, the sticker is removed and the device is
exposed to intense ultraviolet light for 30-45 minutes. The only difference between OTPROM
and UVEPROM is that OTPROM lacks the UV window – there is no way to erase the data.
Adding the UV window to the device package significantly increases cost, so there is a niche
for one-time-programmable devices
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory Chips
The information stored in an EPROM chip can be erased by exposing the chip to strong UV
light. EPROM chips are easily recognized by the small quartz window used for erasure. Once
erased the chip can be re-programmed.
EPROM is more expensive to buy per unit cost, but can prove cheaper in the long run for
some applications. For example if PROM was used for firmware that needed upgraded every
6 months or so – it could prove quite expensive buying new chips!

Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only

Memory
This has the added advantage that the information stored can be re-written in blocks and
hence can be used to store system settings that the user may want to change periodically.
This solid state memory has considerably reduced in price over recent years and is
nowadays commonly used to store system settings such as BIOS settings

34. What is difference between Volatile & Non Volatile Memory?

Volatile memory
Volatile memory is computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored
information. Most modern semiconductor volatile memory is either Static RAM (see SRAM) or
dynamic RAM (see DRAM). SRAM retains its contents as long as the power is connected and
is easy to interface to but uses six transistors per bit. Dynamic RAM is more complicated to
interface to and control and needs regular refresh cycles to prevent its contents being lost.
However, DRAM uses only one transistor and a capacitor per bit, allowing it to reach much
higher densities and, with more bits on a memory chip, be much cheaper per bit. SRAM is
not worthwhile for desktop system memory, where DRAM dominates, but is used for their
cache memories. SRAM is commonplace in small embedded systems, which might only need
tens of kilobytes or less. Forthcoming volatile memory technologies that hope to replace or
compete with SRAM and DRAM include Z-RAM, TTRAM, A-RAM and ETA RAM.

Non-volatile memory
Non-volatile memory is computer memory that can retain the stored information even when
not powered. Examples of non-volatile memory include read-only memory (see ROM), flash
memory, most types of magnetic computer storage devices (e.g. hard disks, floppy discs
and magnetic tape), optical discs, and early computer storage methods such as paper tape
and punched cards. Forthcoming non-volatile memory technologies include FeRAM, CBRAM,
PRAM, SONOS, RRAM, Racetrack memory, NRAM and Millipede.

35. What is a reentrant function?

A reentrant function is a function which can be safely executed concurrently. This
means it should allow a re-entry while it is running. The reentrant function should work only
on the data given by the calling function. It must not have any static data also.
The term “reentrant” is used to refer to side wall profiles of the nozzles, wherein exit
diameters of the nozzles are smaller than entrance diameters of the nozzles so that the side
walls of the nozzles are not perpendicular to a plane defined by an exit surface of the nozzle
member.
A Reentrant function is a function which guaranteed that which can be work well under multi
threaded environment. Mean while function is access by one thread, another thread can call
it… mean there is separate execution stack and handling for each. So function should not
contain any static or shared variable which can harm or disturb the execution.

36. Why we are using UDS, If CAN support diagnostics communication?

In CAN it will support internal diagnostic messages. UDS & KWP2000 are used for to test
with external tester and to know the type of problem

37.  How to recover from CAN- Busoff?

To distinguish between temporary and permanent failures every CAN bus controller has two
Error Counters: The REC (Receive Error Counter) and the TEC (Transmit Error Counter). The
counters are incremented upon detected errors respectively are decremented upon correct
transmissions or receptions. Depending on the counter values the state of the node is
changed: The initial state of a CAN bus controller is Error Active that means the controller
can send active Error Flags. The controller gets in the Error Passive state if there is an
accumulation of errors.

On CAN bus controller failure or an extreme accumulation of errors there is a state transition
to Bus Off. The controller is disconnected from the bus by setting it in a state of high-
resistance. The Bus Off state should only be left by a software reset. After software
reset the CAN bus controller has to wait for 128 x 11 recessive bits to transmit a
frame. This is because other nodes may pending transmission requests. It is
recommended not to start an hardware reset because the wait time rule will not
be followed then.
37. What is Virtual functional bus?
Virtual function bus can be described as a system modeling and communication concept. It
is logical entity that facilitates the
concept of relocatability within the AUTOSAR software architecture by providing a virtual
infrastructure that is independent from any actual underlying infrastructure and provides all
services required for a virtual interaction between AUTOSAR components.

38. Intra and Inter ECU communication?

Intra-ECU which denotes the communication between two software components residing on
the same ECU and Inter-ECU which denotes the situation when two software
components reside on different ECU’s that are connected via a bus network.

39. What is the difference between global and static global variables?
Global variables are variables defined outside of any function. Their scope starts at the
point where they are defined and lasts to the end of the file. They have external linkage,
which means that in other source files, the same name refers to the same location in
memory.
Static global variables are private to the source file where they are defined and do not
conflict with other variables in other source files which would have the same name.
40. How to access a Global variables in other files?
Variables declared outside of a block are called global variables. Global variables
have program scope, which means they can be accessed everywhere in the program, and
they are only destroyed when the program ends.
Here is an example of declaring a global variable:

1 int g_nX; // global variable

2  
3 int main()
4 {
5     int nY; // local variable nY
6  
7     // global vars can be seen everywhere in program 
8     // so we can change their values here
9     g_nX = 5;
10 } // nY is destroyed here
Because global variables have program scope, they can be used across multiple files. In the
section on programs with multiple files, you learned that in order to use a function declared
in another file, you have to use a forward declaration, or a header file.

Similarly, in order to use a global variable that has been declared in another file, you have to
use a forward declaration or a header file, along with the extern keyword. Extern tells the
compiler that you are not declaring a new variable, but instead referring to a variable
declared elsewhere.
Here is an example of using a forward declaration style extern:

global.cpp:
1 // declaration of g_nValue 
2 int g_nValue = 5;
main.cpp:
1// extern tells the compiler this variable is declared elsewhere 
2extern int g_nValue;
3 
4int main()
5{
6    g_nValue = 7;
7    return 0;
8}
Here is an example of using a header file extern:

global.cpp:
1 // declaration of g_nValue 
2 int g_nValue = 5;
global.h:

1#ifndef GLOBAL_H // header guards

2#define GLOBAL_H
3 
4// extern tells the compiler this variable is declared elsewhere 
5extern int g_nValue;
6 
7#endif
main.cpp:
1 #include "global.h" 
2 int main()
3 {
4     g_nValue = 7;
5     return 0;
6 }
Generally speaking, if a global variable is going to be used in more than 2 files, it’s better to
use the header file approach. Some programmers place all of a programs global variables in
a file calledglobals.cpp, and create a header file named globals.h to be included by
other .cpp files that need to use them.
Local variables with the same name as a global variable hide the global variable inside that
block. However, the global scope operator (::) can be used to tell the compiler you mean the
global version:

1int nValue = 5;
2 
3int main()
4{
5    int nValue = 7; // hides the global nValue variable
6    nValue++; // increments local nValue, not global nValue
7    ::nValue--; // decrements global nValue, not local nValue 
8    return 0;
9} // local nValue is destroyed
However, having local variables with the same name as global variables is usually a recipe
for trouble, and should be avoided whenever possible. Using Hungarian Notation, it is
common to declare global variables with a “g_” prefix. This is an easy way to differentiate
global variable from local variables, and avoid variables being hidden due to naming
collisions.

New programmers are often tempted to use lots of global variables, because they are easy
to work with, especially when many functions are involved. However, this is a very bad idea.
In fact, global variables should generally be avoided completely!

Why global variables are evil

Global variables should be avoided for several reasons, but the primary reason is because
they increase your program’s complexity immensely. For example, say you were examining
a program and you wanted to know what a variable named g_nValue was used for. Because
g_nValue is a global, and globals can be used anywhere in the entire program, you’d have to
examine every single line of every single file! In a computer program with hundreds of files
and millions of lines of code, you can imagine how long this would take!

Second, global variables are dangerous because their values can be changed by any
function that is called, and there is no easy way for the programmer to know that this will
happen. Consider the following program:

1 // declare global variable

2 int g_nMode = 1;
3  
4 void doSomething()
5 {
6     g_nMode = 2;
7 }
8  
9 int main()
10 {
11     g_nMode = 1;
12  
13     doSomething();
14  
15     // Programmer expects g_nMode to be 1
16     // But doSomething changed it to 2!
17  
18     if (g_nMode == 1)
19         cout << "No threat detected." << endl;
20     else
21         cout << "Launching nuclear missiles..." << endl; 
22  
23     return 0;
24 }
Note that the programmer set g_nMode to 1, and then called doSomething(). Unless the
programmer had explicit knowledge that doSomething() was going to change the value of
g_nMode, he or she was probably not expecting doSomething() to change the value!
Consequently, the rest of main() doesn’t work like the programmer expects (and the world is
obliterated).

Global variables make every function call potentially dangerous, and the programmer has no
easy way of knowing which ones are dangerous and which ones aren’t! Local variables are
much safer because other functions can not affect them directly. Consequently, global
variables should not be used unless there is a very good reason!

41. What is the use of Complex Device Drivers in AUTOSAR?

Since the AUTOSAR layered software architecture restricts direct access to hardware from
upper layers, an additional concept is provided in order to bypass that restriction for
resource critical and/or Non-AUTOSAR compliant software components. The Complex Device
Driver provides an AUTOSAR Interface to the application layer and has direct access to
values on the physical layer. This is usually used for the implementation of complex sensor
or actuator drivers that need direct control over the underlying hardware.

 42. How to set, clear, toggle and checking a single bit in C?

Use the bitwise OR operator (|) to set a bit.

 number |= 1 << x; 

That will set bit x.

Clearing a bit
Use the bitwise AND operator (&) to clear a bit.

 number &= ~(1 << x); 

That will clear bit x. You must invert the bit string with the bitwise NOT operator (~), then
AND it.

Toggling a bit
The XOR operator (^) can be used to toggle a bit.

 number ^= 1 << x; 

That will toggle bit x.

Checking a bit
You didn’t ask for this but I might as well add it.

To check a bit, AND it with the bit you want to check:

 bit = number & (1 << x); 

That will put the value of bit x into the variable bit.

42. What is Watchdog timer?

A watchdog timer (or computer operating properly (COP) timer) is a computer hardware or
software timer that triggers a system reset or other corrective action if the main program,
due to some fault condition, such as a hang, neglects to regularly service the watchdog
(writing a “service pulse” to it, also referred to as “kicking the dog”, “petting the dog”,
“feeding the watchdog” or “waking the watchdog”). The intention is to bring the system
back from the unresponsive state into normal operation. Watchdog timers can be more
complex, attempting to save debug information onto a persistent medium; i.e. information
useful for debugging the problem that caused the fault. In this case a second, simpler,
watchdog timer ensures that if the first watchdog timer does not report completion of its
information saving task within a certain amount of time, the system will reset with or
without the information saved. The most common use of watchdog timers is in embedded
systems, where this specialized timer is often a built-in unit of a microcontroller.

 43.What is the difference between 8 bit 16 bit and 32 bit processor?

Different families of micros vary in their capabilities. The number of bits just refers to the
width of the data pipe, which limits the precision of math, although many micros will either
emulate higher order math or have special HW that can perform higher precision math
functions.

The historic difference has been price: 8-bit was cheapest, 32-bit was expensive. This is still
true in generally, but the price of 16-bit parts have come down significantly.

Most 8-bit processors are old and run on old architectures, so they tend to be slower. They
are also made more cheaply, since that is where the competition is at the 8-bit point, and
this makes them tend towards slowness. They also tend to have a low limit on supported
RAM/other storage, but the actual amount depends on the family.

16-bit processors tend to focus on price as well, but there is a large range of parts available,
some of which have fairly high performance and large amounts of on-chip peripherals. These
parts usually perform faster than 8-bit parts on math where the precision is greater than 8
bits, and tend to have more addressable memory.

32-bit chips compete primarily on performance for an application. There is a considerable

range of 32-bit parts available, each targeted at some specific application. They tend to
come loaded with peripherals and compete on feature completeness. They have a large
amount of addressable memory and the performance tends to be better than 16-bit parts.
44. What is a Function Pointer ?
A function pointer is a variable that stores the address of a function that can later be called
through that function pointer. This is useful because functions encapsulate behavior. For
instance, every time you need a particular behavior such as drawing a line, instead of
writing out a bunch of code, all you need to do is call the function. But sometimes you would
like to choose different behaviors at different times in essentially the same piece of code.

Example: int (*fp) (int, int);  -> Function pointer returning an integer

45. Size of Datatypes

Size
Name Description * Range*
1byt
signed: -128 to 127
char Character or small integer. e unsigned: 0 to 255
short 2byt
signed: -32768 to 32767
int (short) Short Integer. esunsigned: 0 to 65535
signed: -2147483648 to
2147483647
4byt unsigned: 0 to
int Integer. es 4294967295
signed: -2147483648 to
2147483647
4byt unsigned: 0 to
long int (long) Long integer. es 4294967295
Boolean value. It can take one of two 1byt
bool values: true or false. e true or false
4byt
float Floating point number. es +/- 3.4e +/- 38 (~7 digits)
8byt +/- 1.7e +/- 308 (~15
double Double precision floating point number. es digits)
Long double precision floating point 8byt +/- 1.7e +/- 308 (~15
long double number. es digits)
46. What is the difference between typedef & Macros?
Typedef  is used to create a new name to an already existing data type. Redefine the name
creates conflict with the previous declaration.

eg:
typedef unsigned int UINT32

Macros [#define] is a direct substitution of the text before compling the whole code. In the
given example, its just a textual substitution. where there is a posibility of redefining the
macro

eg:
#define chPointer  char *
#undef chPointer
#define chPointer int *
Typedef are used for declarations when compare with macro
typedefs can correctly encode pointer types.where as #DEFINES are just replacements
done by the preprocessor.
For example,

1. typedef char *String_t;

2. #define String_d char *
3. String_t s1, s2; String_d s3, s4;
s1, s2, and s3 are all declared as char *, but s4 is declared as a char, which is probably not
the intention.

47. What is the difference between a macro and a function?

Macros are essentially shorthand representations of arbitrary sections of the source code,
which makes the source code, while its (the macro template’s) expansion replaces each of
its presence prior to compilation. Whatever is there to do with Macros, it is done by the
preprocessor, so that the source code is ready for compilation. Function is a calling routine,
whence a large program is divided into separate portions, each portion doing a separate job,
and proper calling of these portions in different places combines the works done by them
into the required complete output. Thus functions have nothing to do with the preprocessing
period, they are just compiled. To some extent function and macro is similar, for a macro
can occasionally be invoked to perform a task that is generally entrusted to a function. But
the similarity ends there.

The differences are:

1. Macro consumes less time. When a function is called, arguments have to be passed
to it, those arguments are accepted by corresponding dummy variables in the
function, they are processed, and finally the function returns a value that is assigned
to a variable (except for a void function). If a function is invoked a number of times,
the times add up, and compilation is delayed. On the other hand, the macro
expansion had already taken place and replaced each occurrence of the macro in the
source code before the source code starts compiling, so it requires no additional time
to execute.
2. Function consumes less memory. While a function replete with macros may look
succinct on surface, prior to compilation, all the macro-presences are replaced by
their corresponding macro expansions, which consumes considerable memory. On
the other hand, even if a function is invoked 100 times, it still occupies the same
space. Hence function is more amenable to less memory requirements
48. What is inline function?
Inline function is the optimization technique used by the compilers. One can simply prepend
inline keyword to function prototype to make a function inline. Inline function instruct
compiler to insert complete body of the function wherever that function got used in code.
Advantages :- 
1) It does not require function calling overhead.
2) It also save overhead of variables push/pop on the stack, while function calling.
3) It also save overhead of return call from a function.
4) It increases locality of reference by utilizing instruction cache.
5) After in-lining compiler can also apply intraprocedural optmization if specified. This is the
most important one, in this way compiler can now focus on dead code elimination, can give
more stress on branch prediction, induction variable elimination etc..
Disadvantages :-
1) May increase function size so that it may not fit on the cache, causing lots of cahce miss.
2) After in-lining function if variables number which are going to use register increases than
they may create overhead on register variable resource utilization.
3) It may cause compilation overhead as if some body changes code inside inline function
than all calling location will also be compiled.
4) If used in header file, it will make your header file size large and may also make it
unreadable.
5) If somebody used too many inline function resultant in a larger code size than it may
cause thrashing in memory. More and more number of page fault bringing down your
program performance.
6) Its not useful for embeded system where large binary size is not preferred at all due to
memory size constraints
49. What is the difference between a macro and a inline function?
Macros :
1. input argument datatype checking can’t be done.
2. compiler has no idea about macros
3. Code is not readable
4. macros are always expanded or replaced during preprocessing, hence code size is more.
5. macro can’t return.
Inline function :
1. input argument datatype can be done.
2. compiler knows about inline functions.
3. code is readable
4. inline functions are may not be expanded always
5. can return.
50. Preprocessor Statements #ifdef, #else, #endif
These provide a rapid way to “clip” out and insert code.

Consider;

#define FIRST
 main()

int a, b, c;

#ifdef FIRST

a=2; b=6; c=4;

#else

printf("Enter a:");

scanf("%d", &a);

printf("Enter a:");

scanf("%d", &a);

printf("Enter a:");

scanf("%d", &a);

#endif

additonal code

Note that if FIRST is defined (which it is in the above) the values of a, b and c are hardcoded
to values of 2, 6 and 4. This can save a lot of time when developing software as it avoids
tediously typing everything in each and everytime you run your routine. When FIRST is
defined, all that is passed to the compiler is the code between the #ifdef and the #else. The
code between the #else and the #endif is not seen by the compiler. It is as if it were all a
comment.
Once you have your routine working, and desire to insert the printf and scanfs, all that is
required is to go back and delete the the #define FIRST. Now, the compiler does not see the;

a=2; b=6; c=4;

How to calculate CRC Sequence in a CAN Frame?

The receivers calculate the CRC in the same way as the transmitter as follows:

1. The message is regarded as polynom and is divided by the generator polynom:

x15+ x14 + x10 + x8 + x7 + x4 + x3 + 1 .
2. The division rest of this modulo2 division is the CRC sequence which is transmitted
together with the message.
3. The receiver divides the message inclusive the CRC sequence by the generator
polynom.
A CRC error has to be detected, if the calculated result is not the same as that received in
the CRC sequence. In this case the receiver discards the message and transmits an Error
Frame to request retransmission.

51. Difference between static and dynamic RAM?

Static RAM (SRAM) – High cost & Fast

1. 4 times more expensive

2. Very low access time
3. Can store ¼ as much
4. Information stored on RS flip-flops
5. No need for refreshing

Dynamic RAM (DRAM) – Low cost & slow

1. Low cost
2. Consumes less power
3. Can store 4 times as much
4. Information stored on FET transistors
5. Needs to be refreshed

CANoe Tool Questions:

What is difference the between IG and G block in CANalyzer/CANoe tool?
Answer:  There are two limitations to the Generator block that limit its effectiveness in
complex tasks. The block is misleading for some people because it requires multiple
windows for setting up the transmit message list. The second problem is the block settings
have to be set before the CANalyzer measurement starts. No changes can be made if the
measurement is running.
Fortunately, CANalyzer has another transmission block that eliminates both practical
limitations: the Interactive Generator block (IG). The IG block combines the configuration
windows of the Generator block into one window; therefore, everything can be setup in one
spot. In addition, changes can be made with the IG.
Without CAPL,can we simulate the other ECU’s CAN Messages except Test ECU in the CAN
Simulation Network in CANoe tool without using IG or G blocks.

How to change the baud rate in CANoe without changing the code?
The bit rate may be changed by either changing the oscillator frequency, which is usually

restricted by the processor requirements, or by specifying the length of the bit segments in
“time quantum” and the prescaler value.

In Canoe tool, we can change the bus timing register 0 & 1 values for correcting the baud
rate.

In Autosar, we can use post build configuration for CAN baudrate values.

What is environment variable?

Environment variables are data objects global to the CANoe environment and are used to
link the functions of a CANoe panel to CAPL programs.

What is HIL and SIL testing?

Answer: Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation is a technique that is used in the
development and test of complex real-time embedded systems. HIL simulation provides an
effective platform by adding the complexity of the plant under control to the test platform.
The complexity of the plant under control is included in test and development by adding
a mathematical representation of all related dynamic systems. These mathematical
representations are referred to as the “plant simulation”. The embedded system to be
tested interacts with this plant simulation.
Hardware-In-the-Loop System is an effective platform for developing and testing
complex real-time embedded systems. HIL system provides the complexity of the plant
under control using mathematical representation, called “plant simulation”, of all related
dynamic systems. It also includes electrical emulation of sensors and actuators which act as
the interface between the plant simulation and the embedded system under test.
Advantages of HIL System
 Provides Cost Savings by Shortened Development time
 Complete, consistent test coverage.
 Supports automated testing
 Enables testing the hardware without building a “plant prototype”
 Simulator performs test outside the normal range of operation
 Supports reproducible test runs that can assist in uncovering and tracking down hard
to find problems.
 Enables testing with less risk of destroying the system
SIL: SIL refers to the kind of testing done to validate the behavior of the C-code used in the
controller.  That code can be auto-generated from the model used in algorithm
development.  Emmeskay has a deep understanding of SIL testing and auto-code generation
from the many SIL projects we have performed for our customers.
Testing and Validation
 Plant model developed in vehicle simulation environment is imported to Simulink as a
library.
 Controller is tested in loop with the plant for different routes and speed profiles.
 Controller is tested for different fault modes of the system using GUI VisualConnex
RTOS Question:
What is RTOS?
Real-Time Operating System is a multitasking operating system intended for real-time
applications. It is used on every device/system needing real time operations that means
operations based not only on correctness but also upon the time (clock cycles) in which they
are performed.

In general, an operating system (OS) is responsible for managing the hardware resources of
a computer and hosting applications that run on the computer. An RTOS performs these
tasks, but is also specially designed to run applications with very precise timing and a high
degree of reliability. This can be especially important in measurement and automation
systems where downtime is costly or a program delay could cause a safety hazard. To be
considered “real-time”, an operating system must have a known maximum time for each of
the critical operations that it performs (or at least be able to guarantee that maximum most
of the time). Some of these operations include OS calls and interrupt handling. Operating
systems that can absolutely guarantee a maximum time for these operations are commonly
referred to as “hard real-time”, while operating systems that can only guarantee a
maximum most of the time are referred to as “soft real-time”.
Example: Imagine that you are designing an airbag system for a new model of car. In this
case, a small error in timing (causing the airbag to deploy too early or too late) could be
catastrophic and cause injury. Therefore, a hard real-time system is needed; you need
assurance as the system designer that no single operation will exceed certain timing
constraints. On the other hand, if you were to design a mobile phone that received
streaming video, it may be ok to lose a small amount of data occasionally even though on
average it is important to keep up with the video stream. For this application, a soft real-
time operating system may suffice. An RTOS can guarantee that a program will run with
very consistent timing. Real-time operating systems do this by providing programmers with
a high degree of control over how tasks are prioritized, and typically also allow checking to
make sure that important deadlines are met.
 How Real-Time OSs Differ from General-Purpose OSs?
Operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Mac OS can provide an excellent platform
for developing and running your non-critical measurement and control applications.
However, these operating systems are designed for different use cases than real-time
operating systems, and are not the ideal platform for running applications that require
precise timing or extended up-time. This section will identify some of the major under-the-
hood differences between both types of operating systems, and explain what you can expect
when programming a real-time application.

Interrupt Latency
Interrupt latency is measured as the amount of time between when a device generates an
interrupt and when that device is serviced. While general-purpose operating systems may
take a variable amount of time to respond to a given interrupt, real-time operating systems
must guarantee that all interrupts will be serviced within a certain maximum amount of
time. In other words, the interrupt latency of real-time operating systems must be bounded

Unanswered Interview Questions :(If you know comment as reply)

What is the use of Passive error node?
Error Passive receivers can no longer interrupt the data transfer as a recessive Error Flag
does not influence the bus levels. An Error Passive transmitter can still interrupt its own
message by sending a passive Error Flag. Attention, if one Receiver is in error passive mode
no data consistency is guaranteed any more.

How to find the bug in code using debugger if pointer is  pointing to a  illegal
value?
If two CAN messages with same ID sending at a same time, different data which
can node will gain arbitration? How to test it?
Is it possible to declare struct and union one inside other? Explain with example
1. Spi and I2C difference.?
2. What is UDS advantages?
3. What is cross compiler
4. Unit/integration/all testings.
 5. Regression testing.
6. Test case types.
7. Malloc calloc
8. Function pointers Advantage where it is used?
How many can database files are required for CAN Network simulation in CANoe tool.

what is the difference between CANalyzer,CANoe and CANape tools?

Mention the few uses of the CANoe tool?

what is a panel is CANoe Tool and its Use?

Why CAPL scripting is used in CANoe tool?

Is it possible to simulate other ECU’s Except Test ECU without CAPL Scripting in CANoe tool?

what is purpose of CCP protocol which is also used in CANape tool?

Embedded Development Documents:

 Introduction_to_prog_embedded_systems
  youtube [http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=sw3ADKPo1Uo&feature=player_detailpage]
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48 comments on “Automotive Interview Questions”

1. Prateek Dewangan
JULY 1, 2013 @ 3:38 PM

I must Say thanks for this articel :)

REPLY

2. Vijaisankar
JULY 24, 2013 @ 6:54 AM

superb generally covered….and the performance of a candiadate depends on how he

presents and his past experience.Thanks a lot.

REPLY
3. pavan
AUGUST 2, 2013 @ 8:54 AM
truly good :)
Thanks.
REPLY

4. Sonali
AUGUST 2, 2013 @ 11:51 AM

Thank you very much for this artical…it is really helpful….

REPLY

5. ajay
AUGUST 6, 2013 @ 12:01 PM

awesome tutorial!! thanx man…:)

REPLY

6. Robinson Mathew
AUGUST 13, 2013 @ 5:30 PM

very useful….thanks

REPLY

7. Naga
AUGUST 20, 2013 @ 2:05 PM

Highly informative content. Thanks.

REPLY

8. Rajasheker
AUGUST 22, 2013 @ 7:15 AM

excellent very useful… thanks alot.

REPLY

9. Jagdish
AUGUST 28, 2013 @ 9:11 AM

Really Useful for job seekers to get prepared to answer such questions and the questions are
relevant.
 REPLY

10. Imran khan

SEPTEMBER 14, 2013 @ 1:40 PM

Really Good

REPLY

11. VEDADRI BABU

SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 @ 12:46 PM

Thank you very much for this article…it is really helpful….

REPLY

12. Hari
SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 @ 3:05 PM

Super article..!!! Thanks for sharing..!!!! :)

Hope for more..!!! :) :) Its really very much helpful……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REPLY

13. Ravisagar
OCTOBER 3, 2013 @ 5:58 PM
Excellent work …..Thanks a lotttt……its very usefule for experienced candidates also………
wonderful job………really good job

REPLY

14. Bhushan
OCTOBER 10, 2013 @ 8:31 AM

rally useful

REPLY

15. Bhushan
OCTOBER 10, 2013 @ 8:31 AM

really useful

REPLY

16. pathmaraj
OCTOBER 17, 2013 @ 2:45 PM

Awesome tutorial………Really useful ….thank u

 REPLY

17. vinoth
OCTOBER 27, 2013 @ 8:02 AM

really fantastic tutorial………..

REPLY

18. sathish
NOVEMBER 7, 2013 @ 2:46 PM

Thank you…
Excellent work

REPLY

19. VIJAY PM
DECEMBER 14, 2013 @ 5:00 AM
Thank a lot…. :)
REPLY

20. Shwetha.N
JANUARY 30, 2014 @ 11:26 AM
Very Usefull Thank you :-)
REPLY

21. singhlovesuuu
FEBRUARY 12, 2014 @ 6:46 AM
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REPLY

22. website
MARCH 1, 2014 @ 6:38 PM
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sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you on your
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REPLY

23. Dinesh
APRIL 17, 2014 @ 12:37 PM

Superb blog!!! for Embedded Engineers

 REPLY

24. sachin
APRIL 18, 2014 @ 8:40 PM

it is the real sharing Knowledge ….Thank u very much sir

REPLY

25. Jayakumar-krishnagiri
APRIL 21, 2014 @ 11:56 AM

Good – winjkg

REPLY

26. Raghu
MAY 20, 2014 @ 12:06 PM

really nice one!!!!!!!!

REPLY

27. Vijay
MAY 21, 2014 @ 5:46 PM

Really useful article…

REPLY

28. Babu
JUNE 6, 2014 @ 12:52 PM

HI this Babu really Superb when every i went to interview i faced Al these questions.i go
through session its really useful for me. i got answer for some of the questions
awesome.Thanks for your Valuable time to spend and post these questions.Nice
REPLY

29. Nam
JUNE 24, 2014 @ 1:29 AM

Thank you so much !

REPLY

30. Anvesh
JULY 2, 2014 @ 1:30 AM

Good information Thank you!

 REPLY

31. Tom Hardy Workout

JULY 25, 2014 @ 11:42 AM

I am in fact delighted to glance at this blog posts which includes tons of helpful facts,
thanks for providing such data.

REPLY

32. divya
AUGUST 19, 2014 @ 10:36 AM
Thank you for the FAQ’s with Answers.thank you very much.
REPLY

33. Adys-Bernard Sasu

AUGUST 20, 2014 @ 4:46 PM
How to find the bug in code using debugger if pointer is pointing to a illegal value?

Answer:
Usually this will lead to a system exception. Every core (CPU) has its own way of registering
the address which caused this exception. So to solve it, you need to dig a little in the core`s
manual. Its usually some specialized registers (ex: PowerPC architecture), or the address is
in the stack at a certain location (ex: ARM). Following that address will lead you to the
invalid pointer.

REPLY

34. chenna
OCTOBER 9, 2014 @ 2:48 PM
Excellent tutorial..Covered most of the embedded system questions.Thanks a lot keep it up.

REPLY

35. Dhananjay
OCTOBER 17, 2014 @ 12:48 PM
Thank you very much for useful information. If you Have more information on CANalyzer/
CANoe / CAPL please keep posting

REPLY

36. chetu
NOVEMBER 7, 2014 @ 10:14 AM

Really Useful for job seekers

 REPLY

37. Amol
DECEMBER 2, 2014 @ 12:27 PM

thanku sir for such a valuable information

REPLY

38. Bharat Zanwar

DECEMBER 3, 2014 @ 5:21 AM

Thankyou for this article:)

REPLY

39. Mahan
DECEMBER 5, 2014 @ 10:27 AM

Super article, Covered almost all points.. Thanks for the Post:)

REPLY

40. Prabhu
DECEMBER 5, 2014 @ 11:06 AM

Friends,
Please share this link to Employee and not to Employer!!!!>…..Hope you guys understand

REPLY

41. Tushar
JANUARY 8, 2015 @ 2:03 PM
thank you so much for this post :)
REPLY

42. murali
JANUARY 23, 2015 @ 8:51 AM
i was preparing on such things for 5 months if this document got earlier for me ,, i would be
more lucky..

thanks for document

REPLY

43. Vijay Tilak

 FEBRUARY 4, 2015 @ 8:11 AM

Thank you dude… Tons of info for automotive embedded developer (beginner)…

REPLY

44. nivedita
FEBRUARY 10, 2015 @ 10:47 AM

very useful post… thank u so much… and hats off to your efforts…covered everything in one
article

REPLY

45. rajath
FEBRUARY 26, 2015 @ 7:03 AM
very useful

REPLY

46. abhilash
MARCH 13, 2015 @ 3:27 PM
Cross Compiler: Code will be compiled in one machine and compiled code will run in other
machine.
Native Compiler: Compiled code will be executed in the same compiled machine

REPLY

47. mahmoud
MARCH 16, 2015 @ 10:42 PM
thx alot dude very helpful article

REPLY

48. ANC
MARCH 23, 2015 @ 6:01 PM
I’ ve got a doubt regarding internal diagnostic message in CAN network how is the frame? do
they have something special or do they work as a remote frame where you ask for some
data?

REPLY
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