What is an example of an external interrupt for the Arduino?

Study for the Internet of Things (IOT102) Test. Access comprehensive flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get prepared for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is an example of an external interrupt for the Arduino?

An external interrupt is triggered when something outside the microcontroller causes a change on an input pin, making the processor jump to an interrupt service routine. A button is a classic example because pressing it creates a clear voltage change on a digital input (usually using a pull-up or pull-down resistor to define the idle state). The microcontroller can be set to react on a rising edge, falling edge, or any change. Resistors, LEDs, and capacitors aren’t themselves sources of interrupts in this simple sense: a resistor provides bias or limits current, a LED is an output device, and a capacitor stores charge; they don’t by themselves initiate an interrupt on the MCU. The button provides a controllable external event that reliably triggers an interrupt.

An external interrupt is triggered when something outside the microcontroller causes a change on an input pin, making the processor jump to an interrupt service routine. A button is a classic example because pressing it creates a clear voltage change on a digital input (usually using a pull-up or pull-down resistor to define the idle state). The microcontroller can be set to react on a rising edge, falling edge, or any change. Resistors, LEDs, and capacitors aren’t themselves sources of interrupts in this simple sense: a resistor provides bias or limits current, a LED is an output device, and a capacitor stores charge; they don’t by themselves initiate an interrupt on the MCU. The button provides a controllable external event that reliably triggers an interrupt.

More practice questions