The wires that connect the microprocessor to hardware devices. IRQs let the hardware components request their share of attention from the microprocessor. Each line has its own "address" in the computer’s memory.

( nterrupt uest) - Physical connections between external hardware devices and the interrupt controllers. When a device such as a floppy controller or a printer needs the attention of the CPU, a IRQ line is used to get the attention of the system to perform a task. On PC and XT IBM compatible systems, 8 IRQ lines are included, numbered IRQ0 through IRQ7. On the AT and PS/2 systems, 16 IRQ lines are numbered IRQ0 through IRQ15. IRQ lines must be used by only a single adapter in the ISA bus systems, but Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) adapters can share interrupts.

An asynchronous request for some action that can be triggered by hardware or software. Most IRQs are handled by the operating system.

Acronym for interrupt request. One of a set of possible hardware interrupts, identified by a number, on a Wintel computer. The number of the IRQ determines which interrupt handler will be used. In the AT bus, ISA, and EISA, 15 IRQs are available; in Micro Channel Architecture, 255 IRQs are available; each device's IRQ is hardwired or set by a jumper or DIP switch. The VL bus and the PCI local bus have their own interrupt systems, which they translate to IRQ numbers. See also AT bus, DIP switch, EISA, interrupt, IRQ conflict, ISA, jumper, Micro Channel Architecture, PCI local bus, VL bus.

A conductor (line) on the internal bus of the computer which can tell the CPU to process certain data.

An acronym for interrupt request. When a device eg. a harddisk needs the attention it will use the IRQ line to get processing time. See interrupt for more information.

Stands for "Interrupt Request." PCs use interrupt requests to manage various ...

Abbreviation of interrupt request line, and pronounced I-R-Q. IRQs are hardware lines over which devices can send interrupt signals to the microprocessor.

Interrupt Request: the name of an logic signal directed to a specific processor input port which causes the processor to suspend normal instruction execution temporarily and to start executing an interrupt handler routine.

Stands for interrupt request. IRQ is the name of the hardware interrupt signals that PC peripherals (such as serial or parallel ports) use to get the processor's attention. Since interrupts usually cannot be shared, devices are assigned unique IRQ addresses that enable them to communicate with the processor. Peripherals that use interrupts include LAN adapters, sound boards, scanner interfaces, and SCSI adapters.

Interrupt Request Line. The ID number used by a piece of hardware when identifying itself to the central processor.

IRQ Interrupt request - A method by which a device can request to be serviced by the device's software driver. The system board uses a PIC to monitor the priority of the requests from all devices. When a request occurs, the microprocessor suspends the current operation and gives control to the device driver associated with the interrupt number issued. The lower the number-for example, IRQ3-the higher the priority of the interrupt. Many devices only support raising requests of specific numbers.

abbreviation for "Interupt ReQuests"] IRQs are a means by which the computer's data bus alerts the CPU to the fact that it needs attention. The IRQ signals tell the CPU to temporarily suspend normal operation and handle the interrupt request. Devices that use hardware interrupts include modems, printers, interface cards and other add-ons and peripherals. The currently-common PCI bus allows devices to share IRQs and USB does away with them altogether.

Interrupt request signals used by devices to ‘interrupt’ the processor in order to gain its attention. For example, every key pressed on a keyboard generates an interrupt signal indicating that an event has occurred that requires an action. PCs support 15 hardware interrupts. Each device must have its own IRQ or conflicts will occur that can cause a PC to hang or crash, although plug and play devices have alleviated this problem.

Interrupt ReQuest, A hardware interrupt on a PC. There are 16 IRQ lines used to signal the CPU that peripheral event has started or terminated. In most cases, two devices cannot use the same line.

Interrupt Request Queue.

Interrupt Request -- a hardware request line asserted by a peripheral to indicate that it requires servicing by software. The IRQ is handled by the PIC, which then interrupts the processor, usually causing the processor to execute an Interrupt Service Routine (ISR).

interrupt request] A signal that data is about to be sent to or received by a device travels by an IRQ line to the microprocessor. Each device connection must be assigned an IRQ number. For example, the first serial port in your computer (COM1) is assigned to IRQ4 by default. Two devices can share the same IRQ assignment, but you cannot operate both devices simultaneously.

Interrupt Request: special number designations assigned to certain hardware devices that allow the devices to share the CPU's "attention". The numbers are set by setting jumpers or wires on each such device. No two devices can share an IRQ number.

Interrupt request - an assigned location where the computer can expect a particular device to interrupt it when the device send the computer signals about the operation. For example, when a printer has finished printing, it sends an interrupt signal to the computer. The signal momentarily interrupts the compter so that it can decide which processing to do next. Since multiple signals to the computer on the same interrupt line might not be understood by the computer, a unique value must be specified for each device and it's path to the computer.

See interrupt request.

A means for devices to request time from the processor to do their jobs. For instance, every time you hit a key on your keyboard an interrupt is generated...

Interrupt Request level. In IBM-PCs, a setting given to peripheral devices like soundcards and CD-ROM drives that identifies them to the computer's CPU. When the peripheral needs to communicate with the CPU, it will send an interrupt with that value. Problems will result if two or more peripherals are set to the same IRQ value.

A unique identification number issued to different devices on a network.

An IRQ is a signal from a piece of hardware (such as a keyboard or sound card) indicating that it needs the CPU to do something. The interrupt request signals run along the IRQ lines to an interrupt controller that assigns priorities to incoming IRQs and delivers them to the CPU.

Interrupt ReQuest Line The ID number assigned to a piece of hardware for identifying itself to the CPU and the O/S.

A signal from a hardware device such as a keyboard or a drive controller indicating that it needs the CPU's attention. IRQ signals are transmitted along IRQ lines, which connect peripheral devices to a programmable interrupt controller, or PIC. The PIC prioritizes the incoming interrupt requests from different devices and delivers them to the CPU one at a time via a dedicated IRQ line connecting the PIC to the CPU.

Interrupt request. A signal sent to the central processing unit (CPU) to temporarily suspend normal processing and transfer control to an interrupt handling routine. Interrupts may be generated by conditions such as completion of an I/O process, detection of hardware failure, power failures, etc.

Interrupt request. Hardware lines over which devices such as the reader's input/output ports, the keypad, and disk drivers can send request-attention signals (commonly called "interrupts"). IRQs suspend current operations, save current work, and transfer control to a routine called an interrupt handler, which causes a specific set of instructions to be carried out by the computer's microprocessor.

Interrupt ReQuest. A signal sent to the CPU to temporarily suspend normal processing and transfer control to an interrupt handling routine. A means of toggling between applications so that your system does not crash.

( nterrupt uest) is an electronic request that runs from a hardware device to the CPU. The interrupt controller assigns priorities to incoming requests and delivers them to the CPU. It is important that there is only one device hooked up to each IRQ line; doubling up devices on IRQ lines can lock up your system. Happily, Plug and Play operating systems take care of these details for you.

Interrupt Request Lines. The wires that connect your microprocessor to hardware devices. IRQ lines let the devices request their share of attention from the microprocessor Each line has its own address in the computer's memory.

Interrupt Request Channel”. A “request channel” by which a device on the system motherboard, receives access to the CPU.

Interrupt Request Input, a hardware signal that initiates an interrupt.

Interrupt Request. Numbers 1-15 assigned to devices/components in a computer so that the device can signal the processor for prcessing time. IRQ's for devices must be unique meaning that a different ITQ is assigned to each device. Due to expandability problems, virtual IRQ's were developed for USBcomponents. also see Virtual IRQ.

Interrupt request (IRQ) is used by peripherals to communicate with a central processor to ask for its attention in order to complete a required task.

Interrupt Request. A method that a device attached to a computer can use to momentarily interrupt the computer to request that it needs attention in some way. The operating system then calls the device driver program that will then service this request in whatever way it has been programmed to. See also Operating System, Device and Device Driver.

Interrupt ReQuest. The signal that a peripheral or program uses to request service from the CPU. There are 15 different IRQ values that can be used by system hardware.

interrupt request — An electronic pathway assigned to a specific device so that the device can communicate with the microprocessor. Each device connection must be assigned an IRQ. Although two devices can share the same IRQ assignment, you cannot operate both devices simultaneously.

An interrupt request is the method that one part of the PC uses to signal the processor that some event of possible interest has occurred and might require action. IRQs relevant to power management include the mouse, keyboard, and network interface, as they may indicate that the machine should emerge from a low-power mode.

On the ARM family of processors, a normal (priority) interrupt.

Refers to Interrupt Request. Peripheral connections are assigned IRQ numbers.

Interrupt Request Lines are electronic pathways that are assigned to specific devices such as modems, keyboards, mice, sound cards, etc.. These IRQs are assigned and prioritized according to the importance of each device, so that the most important interrupt requests are handled first by the CPU.

Interruption ReQuest. Same as "Interrupt" for PC systems.

Interrupt Request Line, it is used to connect between CPU and peripheral

Interrupt Request used for serial port communication, peripheral devices, timing and keyboard input. IRQ's are processed by the POKEY chip.

Short for Interrupt Request Line; A number used to describe an interrupt. An IRQ can be any number from 0 to 15, inclusive. IRQ problems occur because two pieces of hardware try to use the same IRQ.

Interrupt request line. A hardware line over which a peripheral device, bus controller, other processor, or the kernel signals a request for service to the microprocessor. See interrupt.

Interrupt Request-are hardware lines over which devices can send interrupt signals to the microprocessor. Show related articles

nterrupt uest. This is a kind of interrupt that you can tell the computer to ignore (the 6502 can enable or disable it).

Interrupt Request - Interrupt request lines are physical connections between external hardware devices and the interrupt controllers. When a device, such as a floppy controller or a printer needs the attention of the CPU, handshaking signals are sent back and forth until a task is completed. On the PC and XT IBM-compatible systems, there are eight IRQ lines numbered IRQ0 through IRQ7. On the AT and PS/2 systems, there are sixteen IRQ lines numbered IRQ0 through IRQ15. In a particular system, the goal is to configure expansion boards so that each board has its own IRQ line. If you have two serial ports on your system, you know that IRQ3 and IRQ4 are taken.

nterrupt uest, a device issues an interrupt request when it requires attention from the CPU. Two devices using the same IRQ number results in a hardware conflict.

An IRQ (Interrupt Request) is a hardware line over which devices can send interrupt signals to the microprocessor. Old systems may have 1 to 4 IRQ. Newer systems have 1 - 15 IRQ. Some IRQ are reserved, i.e., printer -IRQ 7, keyboard - IRQ 1. Devices normally do not share IRQs.

Interrupt request; refers to a number associated with a serial port on an IBM PC or compatible computer. It usually can be changed by flipping a dip switch. Occasionally, when you're using a modem connect to the Internet, you may need to adjust the IRQ number assigned to the serial port which connects the modem to avoid conflicts with another device like your mouse.

(Interrupt ReQuest) - Refers to a number of a hardware interrupt request by software commonly utilized in drivers for various devices on a computer using MS-DOS. These interrupts are used to keep devices functioning virtually at the same time. Generally each device on the computer must have a different IRQ number to operate properly. Certain IRQs are preassigned in DOS to the keyboard, harddrive, printer ports, etc.