摘要:
The logic cards for a main storage unit or computer logic which receive request operations for access to portions of the memory or logic are divided into banks or elements. When a request operation attempts to access one of the elements a return busy signal is raised from that element. The present invention structure generates a predicted busy signal which occurs during the same time the return busy signal should be activated or operable. The return busy signal and predict busy signal are compared in novel circuitry to verify that the element performing the operaton is in fact performing an operation during the predetermined time slot allowed for performance of the requested operation. Fault signals for bank invalidation are stored in internal check trap circuitry for future reference when the requestor raises a subsequent request operation.
摘要:
A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) memory refreshing scheme utilizes at least two separate refresh channels. Each of the channels consists of a pair of identical counters which are coupled through two different types of timing chains. One of the timing chains is associated with one of the counters and generates a refresh request signal, while the other timing channel generates a refresh error signal. As long as the refresh error signal matches the refresh request signal, no error is present, and a validated refresh request signal will be generated from that timing channel and supplied to an OR gate to refresh all of the memory banks for the memory. Whenever a mismatch occurs between the refresh error signal and the refresh request for one of the refresh channels, the validated refresh request signal for that channel will be inoperable, and continued refreshing operation of the memory depends on the supply of the validated refresh request signals through the other channel in which the refresh request signal and the refresh error signals still match.
摘要:
A bus architecture includes address lines, data lines, and control signals to allow a processor to communicate with a VLSI gate array. The address lines are interpreted by the VLSI gate array to select either multi-bit registers or single bit designators resident on the VLSI gate array depending on which control signal is received from the processor. Dual address decode logic on the VLSI gate array senses control signals indicating a request to read from a register, write to a register, and set, clear, or test a designator, and decodes the address received to select the appropriate storage location for the requested function.
摘要:
A bus architecture and associated circuitry for providing communication between processors and multiple gate arrays whereby the size of the data being transferred may be either full words of 32-bits or 36-bits per word, or half words of 16-bits or 18-bits per word. Parity generation logic operates on the data to be sent over the bus to generate a parity value from the correct data bits depending on the selected data word size. Parity checking logic operates on the data received from the bus to check the parity of the correct data bits depending on the selected data word size.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for detecting stuck faults in a signal line used to communicate a branch condition for executing conditional branch instructions by a data processing system containing a programmable microprocessor and multiple VLSI gate arrays connected by a bi-directional bus, whereby the branch condition is obtained from a storage location resident on a VLSI gate array executing asynchronous and external to the microprocessor. The branch condition is fetched and evaluated in parallel with the fetching of the branch target address and the incrementing of the program counter. The microprocessor changes instruction sequence control depending on the results of the branch condition evaluation. The branch condition is sent to the microprocessor as a signal pulse for a specified duration at a particular time, rather than by changing the level of the signal, thereby allowing communication of the branch condition over only one signal line but still providing for detection of faults in the VSLI gate array or faults inherent in the signal line.
摘要:
Logic checking circuits are provided for verifying whether or not the data bus enable logic circuits are operating properly in response to operational commands to transmit or to NOT transmit data. The transmit latches in the bus interface logic circuits are continuously monitored to determine if they are set or NOT set in a position to enable transmission of data or NOT to enable transmission of data to a bus. Transmit gating circuit means are couple to the output of said transmit latches for determining if all of the transmit latches are in the same state and are in the state ordered by the central controller, and for determining whether the state ordered by the central controller occurs in the exact time period during which the command to transmit should be executed.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for executing conditional branch instructions by a data processing system containing a programmable microprocessor and multiple VLSI gate arrays connected by a bi-directional bus, whereby a branch condition is obtained from a storage location resident on a VLSI gate array executing asynchronous and external to the microprocessor. The branch condition is fetched and evaluated in parallel with the fetching of the branch target address and the incrementing of the program counter. The microprocessor changes instruction sequence control depending on the results of the branch condition evaluation.
摘要:
A system and method for detecting errors during the storage and retrieval of file information between a file cache system and a host computer system utilizes a block check sequence key as redundant data included in each block of file data transferred. The block check sequence key is generated by key generation logic and accompanies each block of file data stored in the file cache system by the host computer system. The block check sequence key is a compressed representation of the data within the selected block, as well as unique file and block identification information supplied by the requester of the write operation. When the block is retrieved from the file cache system, the system generates a new block check sequence key based on the data within the retrieved block and the unique file and block identification information supplied by the requester of the read operation. Validation logic ensures that if the retrieved key and the newly generated key does not match, an error signal is activated.
摘要:
A system for apportioning serially supplied data among eight contending memory banks tends to equalize usage among the banks despite their arrangement in a predetermined, sequential priority. Each bank has a data hold register, an OR logic gate to generate a request signal whenever its register contains data, and a negative AND gate for enabling the bank for clearing data from its register. All except the lowest priority bank further include a blocking latch and an enabling NOR gate. Each blocking latch is set when its associated bank is enabled, and then inhibits its associated AND gate and each higher priority AND gate, while enabling each lower priority NOR gate. Each enabled NOR gate provides an enabling signal to all lower priority AND gates. When the lowest priority AND gate is enabled by the NOR gates and its request signal, all blocking latches are cleared. The banks thus are utilized in a sequence that is maintained even if one or more banks are bypassed on occasion.
摘要:
A microsequencer bus controller system provides a flexible and efficient mechanism for controlling multiple gate arrays called stations embedded within a larger computer system. A control store memory, loaded at system initialization time, holds fixed-length instructions simultaneously executed by dual reduced instruction set (RISC) microprocessors which interface with the multiple stations over a bi-directional bus. The master microprocessor compares the result of the processing of each instruction with the slave microprocessor's result to detect any differences, thereby minimizing error latency. Master and slave microprocessors each control half of the stations on the bus. Data widths of 32-bit and 36-bit words are supported by the microprocessors, bus, and stations.