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 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.
摘要:
A method and system for executing shift, mask, and merge operations on two operands specified by one instruction contains two registers holding operand data and separate shift, mask, and merge logic. A programmer-defined set of mask and merge indicators controls the mask and merge operations. Each mask and merge indicator is represented as a single bit but controls a pair of bits in an operand. If the first operand is selected by the programmer, it is shifted and then masked. The result of the shift and mask operations is merged with the second operand. If the second operand is selected, it is shifted and masked, and the result is merged with the first operand. Final results are stored for processing by subsequent instructions.
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 system and method for executing conditional branch instructions by a processor using dynamic branch address tables containing branch target addresses. The branch target addresses are selected by the result of a computation of fields in the branch instruction and an index generated during the execution of previous instructions. The relevant fields include the base address of a branch address table and a mask value. The contents, size, and location of the branch address tables in a random-access-memory local store may be changed during run-time by program control.
摘要:
A bus control and error detection system is provided for a bus system in which data and address signals are transferred between a microsequencer and a number of operational stations which are coupled to the bus. Tri-state drivers are employed in the microsequencer and in the stations which are constructed such that two of the three states of these tri-state drivers are utilized to provide the two states of binary logic operation, and the third state is a high impedance state that protects the components that are coupled to the bus during predefined abort condition which are detected in the system. An abort detection circuit is included in each of the operational stations which is coupled to receive control signals from the microsequencer and which is constructed to emit an ABORT signal output to the microsequencer when the control signals indicate that an abort condition has occurred for the associated operational station. The ABORT signal causes the tri-state driver in the microsequencer to switch to its high impedance state and the microsequencer and transmit LOCK BUS signals to all of the operational stations in order to switch their tri-state drivers to their high impedance states.