摘要:
A synchronizer for use in synchronizing individual signal processors in a multi-channel system is disclosed. Each synchronizer has a counter for counting its associated processor's clock pulses and, upon reaching a selected count, providing a counter frame output signal at an output thereof for use by each of the other synchronizers in the system. Each synchronizer has a voter responsive to counter output signals from each of the other synchronizers, and from itself as well, at input ports thereof. Each synchronizer's voter provides a frame sync (macro sync) pulse in each counter frame after receiving a selected number of counter frame output signals from any of the synchronizers in the system. Each synchronizer's voted frame sync pulse is provided at an output port of the sychronizer and may be utilized, depending on the application, for routing back into the synchronizer at a frame sync input port for resetting the synchronizer's own counter, or, when used as a master, for routing to one or more (slave) synchronizers for the same purpose. Each synchronizer's voter includes a rising edge voter that arms a falling edge voter only during a selected portion of the expected counter frame period (voting window). The synchronizer voter architecture can include clocked latches or not. The synchronizer may include fast and slow clock detectors. The synchronizer interfaces with its associated processor and includes disable circuitry for permitting the CPU to disable nonfunctional frame sync signals.
摘要:
A state machine has specific states to boot a microprocessor and retrieve data from the microprocessor's memories while the microprocessor is running, but with operation temporarily suspended under control of the state machine. The state machine is programmed after it is installed on a circuit board with the microprocessor. The state machine is connected to a standard bus and through its specific states provides an interface to the microprocessor as well as the instructions for booting the microprocessor when the microprocessor is powered up.
摘要:
An interrupt is provided to a signal processor having a non-maskable interrupt input, in response to the detection of a request for transfer to backup software. The signal processor provides a transfer signal to a transfer mechanism only after completion of the present machine cycle. Transfer to the backup software is initiated by the transfer mechanism only upon reception of the transfer signal.
摘要:
Tasks may be planned for execution on a single processor or are split up by the designer for execution among a plurality of signal processors. The tasks are modeled using a design aid called a precedence graph, from which a dependency table and a prerequisite table are established for reference within each processor. During execution, at the completion of a given task, an end of task interrupt is provided from any processor which has completed a task to any and all other processors including itself in which completion of that task is a prerequisite for commencement of any dependent tasks. The relevant updated data may be transferred by the processor either before or after signalling task completion to the processors needing the updated data prior to commencing execution of the dependent tasks. Coherency may be ensured, however, by sending the data before the interrupt. When the end of task interrupt is received in a processor, its dependency table is consulted to determine those tasks dependent upon completion of the task which has just been signalled as completed, and task dependency signals indicative thereof are provided and stored in a current status list of a prerequisite table. The current status of all current prerequisites are compared to the complete prerequisites listed for all affected tasks and those tasks for which the comparison indicates that all prerequisites have been met are queued for execution in a selected order.
摘要:
A high fault coverage, instruction modeled self-test for a signal processor in a user environment is disclosed. The self-test executes a sequence of sub-tests and issues a state transition signal upon the execution of each sub-test. The self-test may be combined with a watchdog activity monitor (WAM) which provides a test-failure signal in the presence of a counted number of state transitions not agreeing with an expected number. An independent measure of time may be provided in the WAM to increase fault coverage by checking the processor's clock. Additionally, redundant processor systems are protected from inadvertent unsevering of a severed processor using a unique unsever arming technique and apparatus.
摘要:
An interface between a host and a bus includes label generator and a memory. The label generator responds to bus label signals from the bus, for providing label signals. The memory responds to bus signals from the bus, for providing memory host signals to the bus. The memory further reponds to the label signals from the label generator for storing the label signals as label memory signals. The memory further responds to host signals from the host, either for providing memory bus signals to the host when the host reads memory bus information from the memory, or for providing said label memory signals to the host when the host reads label memory information from the memory.
摘要:
A coherent interface between one or more asynchronous busses and one or more channels in which only one channel is permitted to communicate with a bus at a time is disclosed.
摘要:
A miscomparison between a channel's configuration data base and a voted system configuration data base in a redundant channel system having identically operating, frame synchronous channels triggers autoequalization of the channel's historical signal data bases in a hierarchical, chronological manner with that of a correctly operating channel. After equalization, symmetrization of the channel's configuration data base with that of the system permits upgrading of the previously degraded channel to full redundancy. An externally provided equalization command, e.g., manually actuated, can also trigger equalization.
摘要:
An interface for use between an asynchronous bus and a signal processor is disclosed. The interface utilizes both a wraparound receive and transmit memory to ensure coherency with very little processor overhead.
摘要:
In a network for transferring a source field in a source word into a destination field in a destination word two basic hardware sub-functions are utilized: rotation and mask vector generation. In the network the destination field of a destination word is masked. Concurrently in the network, a source word is rotated bringing the source field thereof into corresponding alignment with the masked destination field and all but the source field of the source word is masked. Subsequent logical combining of the masked destination word and the rotated and masked source word generates the desired field transference. In one embodiment the required masking operation is accomplished during a single pass of the destination and source words through the network. In an alternate embodiment using less masking hardware only half of the required masking is accomplished during each pass and two passes are required before the logical combining to achieve the desired field transference.