Abstract:
A method of diagnosing memory and CPU boards by using scan rings which are composed of interconnected shift registers. A maintenance processor (MP) down-loads vector files to the scan rings. The scan rings are transparently partitioned into subsections and each subsection and individual bits are then tagged using a high level language, i.e., a scan path diagnostic language (SPDL). The user of SPDL writes a program in SPDL language addressing a portion of the scan ring. Next, the high level commands are translated into low level machine code and run on the MP. Bits are then loaded into the scan ring and subjected to a test routine. Additional commands are given to correct any errors uncovered and the bits are then reloaded through the MP to the hardware element being tested.
Abstract:
The invention comprises a system bus apparatus and method for a multi-arm, multiprocessor computer system having a main memory and localized buffer cache memories at each processor. Each block of data in a cache includes tag bits which identifies the condition of the data block in relation to the corresponding data in main memory and other caches. The system bus (SYSBUS) comprises three subparts; 1) a MESSAGE/DATA bus, 2) a REQUEST/GRANT bus and 3) a BCU bus. The MESSAGE/DATA bus is coupled to every device on the system and is used for transferring messages, data and addresses. The REQUEST/GRANT bus couples between every device on an arm of the system and that arm's bus control unit (BCU). The BCU bus couples between the various BCUs. Both the MESSAGE/DATA bus and the BCU bus include ACK/NACK/HIT bits which are used when responding to messages received over the SYSBUS to inform the message-issuing device if the devices received the message and, if so, the condition of the data in relation to other caches and main memory. The protocol allows inconsistent copies of data to exist and prevents stale data from being used erroneously by monitoring the tag bits and the ACK/NACK/HIT bits. Further, under the appropriate conditions, a copy of the most recent data block may be transferred from one cache to another (with appropriate updating of tags) without updating the main memory. When a memory operation will bring about a situation where cache coherence can no longer be maintained, main memory is updated with the most recent copy of the data and the other caches are either updated or tagged as invalid.
Abstract:
An improved method for access to data from a remote computer and an improved method for accessing remote heterogeneous data bases. The method includes a personal computer having an application program for processing data by keyboard input that operates on a local applications data base having files with a first file structure. A remote host computer accesses data in remote files having a second file structure. A preselected keystroke of the first computer modifies the data accession program of the remote computer to reformat retrieved data in the format of the personal computer applications program before transmission back to the personal computer, so that the personal computer resident portions of the program require no information as to where the requested data is located or what the host computer file structure is.
Abstract:
A heat sink apparatus for convective cooling of circuit packages or components by direct impinging fluid operation employing a housing having an inlet port and a plurality of radially fluid flow passages communicating with the inlet port with each passage also having an outlet port. A fluid deflection member is supported with the housing in line with the inlet port and is provided with a deflection surface adapted to redirect the fluid flow from the inlet port to the air flow passages.
Abstract:
In a computer system in which addressable components are physically organized on separately-replaceable printed circuit boards each containing an array of separately addressable components, diagnostic apparatus operates in the event of a component failure to assist a technician in physically locating the circuit board which contains the failed component. Each array includes a selection circuit which responds to component addresses located in the component array on that board. In the case of a component failure, diagnostic circuitry detects the address of the faulty component and places the address on the system address bus. The diagnostic circuitry controls each array to forward the output signal from the selection circuit on the associated printed circuit board to a register which has a position associated with each printed circuit board. Since only the selection circuit in the array which contains the faulty component responds to the address of the faulty component, the diagnostic register can be examined by the diagnostic circuitry to detect the position of the faulty board.
Abstract:
Control apparatus allows application software written for use with peripheral devices manufactured by one company to run with other peripheral devices. The apparatus intercepts device-specific control commands generated by the software and translates the commands into commands which are compatible with the peripheral connected to the system. Non-device specific commands are passed untranslated through the control apparatus to the peripheral. More specifically, registers within the control apparatus which must be programmed with parameters unique to a particular peripheral cannot be accessed by the application software while other nonspecific registers remain read and write accessible. Peripheral-specific parameters are instead changed by a secondary processor which uses special hardware to minimize interference with the main processor.
Abstract:
A Hashing Indexer For a Branch Cache for use in a pipelined digital processor that employs macro-instructions utilizing interpretation by micro-instructions. Each of the macro-instructions has an associated address and each of the micro instructions has an associated address. The hashing indexer includes a look-ahead-fetch system including a branch cache memory coupled to the prefetch section. An indexed table of branch target addressess each of which correspond to the address of a previously fetched instruction is stored in the branch cache memory. A predetermined number of bits representing the address of the macro-instruction being fetched is hashed with a predetermined number of bits representing the address of the micro-instruction being invoked. The indexer is used to apply the hashing result as an address to the branch memory in order to read out a unique predicted branch target address that is predictive of a branch for the hashed macro-instruction bits and micro-instruction bits. The hashing indexer disperses branch cache entries throughout the branch cache memory. Therefore, by hashing macro-instruction bits with micro-instruction bits and by dispersing the branch cache entries throughout the branch cache memory, the prediction rate of the system is increased.
Abstract:
A semiconductor chip carrier package formed of a multi-layer circuit board having mounted therein a semiconductor chip support pad. The multi-layer circuit board is comprised of separate dielectric boards defining multiple conductive run layers including a signal layer and a plurality of power layers. A pluralilty of pins supported from the circuit board extending from one side thereof and including signal pins and power pins. The power pins are disposed peripherally outside of the signal pins. Means are provided for conductively connecting leads of the semiconductor chip to corresponding conductive runs of the signal and power layers.
Abstract:
When data is subject to relocation in the physical memory of a processing system employing a virtual memory architecture, execution of programs can be greatly improved through the use of a validation code generator, which assigns a code to each virtual-to-physical address translation prior to its entry in the address translation system. Whenever a page in memory is replaced or the buffer is purged for memory management purposes, the code generator proceeds to another code and assigns this new code to subsequent entries.
Abstract:
A scanning display signal generating system for a plurality of planes includes a first look up table addressed by a first set of the planes, and a second look up table addressed by a second set of planes. A logic unit receives the outputs of the tables and provides a display signal which is a selected logical combination of the outputs. A function control unit provides a control signal to the logic unit to select the desired logical combination. A large number of planes are thus displayed using small LUT memory components, providing display values in real time to the scanner. The output of one look up table may be provided as a control signal to the logic unit. In one embodiment the first look up table is addressed by text planes, and an output therefrom provides the control signal for suppressing the output of the second look up table.