Programmable Interrupt Controller

Programmable Interrupt Controller

   <integrated circuit> {PIC} A special-purpose {integrated
   circuit} that functions as an overall manager in an
   {interrupt} driven system.  It accepts requests from the
   {peripheral} equipment, determines which of the incoming
   requests is of the highest priority, ascertains whether the
   incoming request has a higher priority value than the level
   currently being serviced, and issues an interrupt to the {CPU}
   based on this determination.

   PICs typically have eight interrupt lines, and two PICs are
   often cascaded to provide 15 available interrupt lines.

   See also: {Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller}.

   (2003-03-18)