Self-configuring digital processor system with global system

• US 4,562,535 A
• Filed: 04/05/1982
• Issued: 12/31/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: McGrath, John, Conrad, Marvin C., Vincent, Geoffrey P. F., Ing-Simmons, Nicholas K. D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Eddie P.
• Application Number:
  US06/365,813
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File
• US Class Current: 710/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/37 using a physical-position-dependent priority, e.g. daisy chain, round robin or token passing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/161 Computing infrastructure, e.g. computer clusters, blade chassis or hardware partitioning casings, cabinets, racks or drawers for data centers H05K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/17 using an input/output type connection, e.g. channel, I/O port
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/177 Initialisation or configuration control processor initialisation G06F9/4405

Abstract

A digital processor system including several function modules where each module includes circuitry to perform at least one computational task and the circuitry to transfer information containing that modules respective computational task capability to a global memory upon initialization of each module and further circuitry to interface to the global memory upon initialization together with circuitry to interface to the global memory to determine each modules address. Further included is an information bus connected to the function modules and the to global memory. This system configuration allows for the system to self-configure upon power up intialization.

Claims

1. A data processing system comprising:

an information bus for transferring data between a plurality of module slots, said plurality of module slots including one unique module slot;

a logical arbiter memory means connected for transfer of data to and from said information bus, for storing therein a global function table of function names together with their corresponding module number and having an initialization counter;

a plurality of function modules each connected to one of said module slots for transfer of data to and from said information bus, each function module having

(1) a bus priority means for determining a bus priority for control of data transfer via said information bus,

(2) function means to perform at least one computational function in response to a corresponding function request from said information bus, each such computational function having a corresponding one of said function names, and

(3) initialization means actuated upon each initial application of electric power to said function module, said initialization means including (a) means for determining whether said function module is connected to said unique module slot, (b) means for requesting information bus control immediately upon initialization if said function module is connected to said unique module slot and for waiting for a wake up signal from said function module connected to said unique module slot via said information bus and then requesting information bus control if said function module is not connected to said unique module slot, (c) means for initializing said global function table, setting said initialization counter to "1" and reading and storing said initialization counter state if said function module is connected to said unique module slot, and for reading and storing said initialization counter state and then incrementing said initialization counter if said function module is not connected to said unique module slot, (d) means for assigning one of said module numbers to said function module corresponding to said stored state of said initialization counter thereby making said function module responsive to function requests directed to said module number, (e) means for transferring to said logical arbiter memory means for storage in said global function table said function name and said corresponding module number for each computational function, (f) means for generating said wake up signal and for transmitting said wake up signal to other function modules via said information bus if said function module is connected to said unique module slot, and (g) means for executing a delay for a predetermined period of time upon storing said function name and said module number in said global function table said predetermined period being sufficient to permit initialization by said initialization means of all other function modules; and

a bus arbitration means connected to said bus priority means of each function module via said information bus for permitting one and only one function module to control data transfer via said information bus based upon said bus priority of any function module requesting control of said information bus.

2. A data processing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

each of said function modules further includes means for requesting a selected computational function from another function module by (a) transmitting a function address request to said logical arbiter memory means via said information bus requesting the module number of another function module having said selected computational function, and (b) transmitting said selected computational function request to said module number, and

said logical arbiter memory means further includes means for suppling via recall from said global function table said module number corresponding to a selected computational function to a function module in response to a function name request from said function module.

3. A data processing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

at least one function module further includes a local function table and means for storing in said local function table the module number corresponding to a computational function upon initial request for said computational function, and thereafter recalling said module number from said local function table without resort to said global function table upon further requests for said computational function.

4. A data processing system comprising:

an information bus for transferring data between a plurality of module slots, said plurality of module slots including one unique module slot;

a logical arbiter memory means connected for transfer of data to and from said information bus, having a module number designating means for designating module numbers by assigning successive module numbers to said function modules in order upon initialization, a global function table for storing therein function names together with their corresponding module number, and a function address means for transmitting said module number corresponding to a function name in response to a function address request on said information bus;

a plurality of function modules each connected for transfer of data to and from said information bus, each function module having

(1) a bus priority means for determining a bus priority for control of data transfer via said information bus,

(2) function means to perform at least one computational function in response to a corresponding function request from said information bus at a corresponding module number designated by said module number designation means, each such computational function having a corresponding function name, and

(3) initialization means actuated upon each initial application of electric power to said function module, said initialization means including (a) means for determining whether said function module is connected to said unique module slot, (b) means for requesting information bus control immediately upon initialization if said function module is connected to said unique module slot and waiting for a wake up signal from said function module connected to said unique module slot via said information bus and then requesting information bus control if said function module is not connected to said unique module slot, (c) means for initializing said global function table, and noting said assigned module number if said function module is connected to said unique module slot, and for reading and storing said assigned module number if said function module is not connected to said unique module slot, (d) means for assigning one of said module number to said function module corresponding to said assigned module number thereby making said function module responsive to function requests directed to said module number, (e) means for transferring to said logical arbiter memory means for storage in said global function table said function name for each computational function, (f) means for generating said wake up signal and for transmitting said wake up signal to other function modules via said information bus if said function module is connected to said unique module slot, (g) means for executing a delay for a predetermined period of time upon storing said function name in said global function table, said predetermined period being sufficient to permit initialization by said initialization means of all other function modules; and

a bus arbitration means connected to said bus priority means of each function module via said information bus means for permitting one and only one function module to control data transfer via said information bus based upon said priority of any function module requesting control of said information bus.

5. A data processing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

each of said function modules further includes means for requesting a selected computational function from another function module by (a) transmitting a function address request to said logical arbiter memory means via said information bus requesting the module number of another function module having said selected computational function, and (b) transmitting said selected computational function request to said module number, and

said logical arbiter memory means further includes means for supplying via recall from said global function table said module number corresponding to a selected computational function to a function module in response to a function name request from said function module.

6. A data processing system as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

at least one function module further includes a local function table and means for storing in said local function table the module number corresponding to a computational function upon initial request for said computational function, and thereafter recalling said module number from said local function table without resort to said global function table upon further requests for said computational function.