Control bus sharing — true or false? In a typical microprocessor system, do the control bus and memory devices share a single bidirectional bus line in the same way as the data bus?

Introduction / Context:
A microprocessor system uses three conceptual buses: address, data, and control. While the data bus is bidirectional, the control bus carries timing and control signals with fixed directions (from CPU to devices or vice versa). Clarifying this prevents wiring and design misunderstandings.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Typical” microprocessor system organization is assumed.
• Control bus includes dedicated signals such as read, write, memory/IO select, interrupt lines, and acknowledge lines.
• Data bus is bidirectional; address bus is usually unidirectional from CPU to memory/I-O.

Concept / Approach:
The term “bus” implies shared conductors, but not every signal shares a single bidirectional line. Control signals are distinct lines with defined directions; they are not a single bidirectional conductor shared like the data bus. Therefore the statement that control bus and memories “share a bidirectional bus” is inaccurate.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify bus roles → address (uni), data (bi), control (mixed fixed-direction lines).Check claim → “control bus and memories share a bidirectional bus” → incorrect generalization.Conclude → The statement is false.

Verification / Alternative check:
Block diagrams in textbooks show separate labeled control lines rather than a single bidirectional “control/data” line shared with memory.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“True” would imply control behaves like data lines, which is not the case.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming that because signals share a connector or backplane they are bidirectional; directionality is defined per signal.

Final Answer:
False