Modular block unit for input-output subsystem
First Claim
1. In a digital system for the transfer and control of digital information between a first main system which includes a processor with main memory having an I/O translator interface unit, and a plurality of remote peripheral terminal units, wherein each peripheral terminal unit is connected to the main system via a corresponding line control processor, and wherein groups of said line control processors at a given site are organized into Base Modules, a Base Module unit comprising:
- (a) a plurality of line control processors, each of which has its own dedicated connection to a corresponding peripheral terminal unit and wherein each of said line control processors is adapted to handle the particular discipline required by its corresponding peripheral terminal unit,each of said line control processors including a data buffer memory having sufficient memory space for storing at least one complete message block of information data and control data;
(b) a single backplane common to each of said plurality of line control processors within said Base Module, said backplane including transmission lines from each line control processor to a distribution-control means, said transmission lines being selectively activated by said distribution-control means;
(c) connection means for connecting of each said plurality of line control processors with a dedicated transmission line to its corresponding peripheral terminal so that each peripheral terminal has an unimpeded exclusive line connection to its corresponding line control processor;
(d) a distribution-control means including;
(d1) message level interface means including logic means to connect a data path having a standard transmission discipline to said I/O translator interface of said main system, said message level interface operating to transfer a stream of characters without interruption until a complete message block is transferred;
(d2) means to signal said main system if an addressed line control processor is busy;
(d3) means to signal said main system if an addressed line control processor is available, and to connect said addressed line control processor to said main system;
(d4) means, when a line control processor requests access, to connect said requesting line control processor to said main system, by activation of selected backplane transmission lines to said line control processor requesting access;
(d5) means for setting a local base priority value number for each line control processor within a given base module, and using said value number for determining priority of access when simultaneous requests for access occur between line control processors in the same Base Module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular interface unit to serve as a building block in the framework of an Input-Output Subsystem of a digital data processing system. The unit, designated as a Base Module, manages a group of Intelligent I/O Interface Control units (Line Control Processors) and provides a Base Module distribution-control interface called a Distribution Card unit. A group of Line Control Processors have a common set of backplane connections to the distribution-control means and to a maintenance unit and termination control unit. The maintenance unit permits the exercising and diagnosis of any selected Line Control Processor on the Base Module. The termination control unit provides clocking and control functions for all of the Line Control Processors in the module and also common termination impedances for the interconnecting backplane lines. Means are provided for priority ranking of the various Line Control Processors within the Base Module unit. The Base Module unit provides a building block by which a central processing unit of a digital data processing system may be expanded to handle a large number of peripheral devices with simplicity and reliability.
48 Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a digital system for the transfer and control of digital information between a first main system which includes a processor with main memory having an I/O translator interface unit, and a plurality of remote peripheral terminal units, wherein each peripheral terminal unit is connected to the main system via a corresponding line control processor, and wherein groups of said line control processors at a given site are organized into Base Modules, a Base Module unit comprising:
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(a) a plurality of line control processors, each of which has its own dedicated connection to a corresponding peripheral terminal unit and wherein each of said line control processors is adapted to handle the particular discipline required by its corresponding peripheral terminal unit, each of said line control processors including a data buffer memory having sufficient memory space for storing at least one complete message block of information data and control data; (b) a single backplane common to each of said plurality of line control processors within said Base Module, said backplane including transmission lines from each line control processor to a distribution-control means, said transmission lines being selectively activated by said distribution-control means; (c) connection means for connecting of each said plurality of line control processors with a dedicated transmission line to its corresponding peripheral terminal so that each peripheral terminal has an unimpeded exclusive line connection to its corresponding line control processor; (d) a distribution-control means including; (d1) message level interface means including logic means to connect a data path having a standard transmission discipline to said I/O translator interface of said main system, said message level interface operating to transfer a stream of characters without interruption until a complete message block is transferred; (d2) means to signal said main system if an addressed line control processor is busy; (d3) means to signal said main system if an addressed line control processor is available, and to connect said addressed line control processor to said main system; (d4) means, when a line control processor requests access, to connect said requesting line control processor to said main system, by activation of selected backplane transmission lines to said line control processor requesting access; (d5) means for setting a local base priority value number for each line control processor within a given base module, and using said value number for determining priority of access when simultaneous requests for access occur between line control processors in the same Base Module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a digital system for the transfer and control of digital information between a main system, which includes a processor with main memory having an I/O translator interface unit, and a plurality of remote peripheral terminal units, wherein each peripheral terminal unit is connected to the main system via a corresponding line control processor, and wherein groups of said line control processors at a given site are organized into Base Modules, a Base Module unit comprising:
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(a) a plurality of line control processors, each of which has its own dedicated connection to a corresponding peripheral terminal unit and wherein each of said line control processors is adapted to handle the particular discipline required by its corresponding peripheral terminal unit, each of said line control processors including a data buffer memory having sufficient memory space for storing at least one complete message block of information data and complete control data, said control data including a command/descriptor word to control the type of operation, a descriptor link word to identify the particular input/output command involved, and a result descriptor word to inform the main system of completion of the command or error therein; (b) a single backplane common to each of said plurality of line control processors within said Base Module, said backplane including; (b1) transmission lines from each line control processor to a distribution-control means, (b2) transmission lines from each line control processor to a maintenance card unit and a termination card unit; (b3) a first exclusively dedicated line from each line control processor to said distribution-control means for emergency requests for access to the main system, (b4) a second exclusively dedicated line from each line control processor to said distribution-control means for signaling the particular line control processor that is addressed by said main system; (c) connection means for connecting of each said plurality of line control processors with a dedicated transmission line to its corresponding peripheral terminal so that each peripheral terminal has an unimpeded exclusive line connection to its corresponding line control processor. (d) a distribution-control means including; (d1) register means to receive the address of a selected line control processor from said main system; (d2) decoding means to enable connection, via said backplane, of said selected line control processor to said main system; (d3) gating means for controlling the connection or disconnection of said selected line control processor to said main system; (e) maintenance card means connected to said backplane including; (e1) a clock for supplying timing signals to each line control processor; (e2) means for providing on-line diagnostic signals to any selected line control processor and for simulating the peripheral unit corresponding to each line control processor; (e3) means to access said data buffer memory to check its operation; (f) termination card means connected to said backplane including; (f1) power supply means for each line control processor and said distribution control means; (f2) termination impedance means to balance the transmission line impedances of each of the lines on said backplane; (g) means for setting a local priority number signal for each line control processor in said Base Module, for selecting priority of access when access-requests occur simultaneously by two or more line control processors in that Base Module; (h) message level interface means whereby said distribution control means operates to transfer a stream of characters to or from said main system without interruption until a complete message block is transferred. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. In a digital system for the transfer and control of digital information between a main system, which includes a processor with main memory having an I/O translator interface unit, and a plurality of remote peripheral terminal units, wherein each peripheral terminal unit is connected to the main system via a corresponding line control processor, and wherein groups of said line control processors at a given site are organized into Base Modules, a Base Module unit comprising:
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(a) a plurality of line control processors each of which is connected by a dedicated transmission line to its corresponding peripheral terminal unit and wherein each of said line control processors includes; (a1) a data buffer memory having storage for a complete message block of data and a complete set of control words including I/O commands received from main memory; (a2) logic means to execute said I/O commands and to control data transfers between said data buffer memory and said main system and/or its corresponding peripheral terminal unit; (a3) register means for developing status condition signals to cause said logic means to actuate the sequential switching required to execute said I/O commands; (b) distribution-control means including; (b1) means to receive the channel number and the address of a selected line control processor; (b2) means to check the availability of a selected line control processor, and if available, to connect said line control processor to said main system; (b3) gating means to control the connection or disconnection of a selected line control processor to said main system; (b4) means to provide an internal base priority signal for each line control processor and to connect the highest priority line control processor to the main system when two or more line control processors simultaneously request access; (b5) means to provide a global priority signal, to said main system, for each line control processor requesting access to said main system; (b6) message level interface means to said main system and operating to transfer a complete message block of data without interruption; (c) a common backplane means providing transmission lines to and from each line control processor to said distribution-control means and including; (c1) a dedicated address line from each line control processor to said distribution-control means; (c2) a dedicated line for access-requests from each line control processor to said distribution-control means; (c3) connection means from each line control processor to a maintenance unit means and to a termination unit means; (d) a common maintenance unit means connected to each line control processor for simulating each peripheral terminal and testing the operation of each line control processor; (e) a common termination unit means connected to said backplane means for providing line termination impedances, and power to each of said line control processors. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification