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Apparatus using converters, multiplexer and two latches to convert SCSI data into serial data and vice versa

  • US 5,206,946 A
  • Filed: 10/27/1989
  • Issued: 04/27/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A data communication network range expander formed of a first central processing unit connected to at least one second central processing unit and communicating between the first and second central processing units using a parallel small computer system interface ("SCSI") protocol, comprising:

  • a first unit connected in data communication with the first central processing unit, receiving SCSI protocol information, which includes parallel data, from said first central processing unit;

    a second SCSI unit connected in data communication with the second central processing unit, receiving SCSI protocol information, which includes parallel data, from said second central processing unit;

    each of the first and second SCSI units comprising;

    means for separating said SCSI protocol information into two portions, a first portion which includes control information for said SCSI information and a second portion which includes data information for SCSI information;

    a multiplexer, receiving said first portion on a first set of inputs thereof and receiving said second portion on a second set of inputs thereof, and producing an output corresponding to one of said set of inputs based on a control signal applied thereto;

    controlling means for providing said control signal to control said multiplexing means to first output one of said sets of inputs in parallel at a first time period and next output the other of said set of inputs in parallel at a next time period;

    parallel to serial means, connected to receive outputs from said multiplexer, for converting each parallel set of SCSI information from said multiplexer to a serial data format indicative of the parallel data;

    serial to parallel means for converting data in said serial data format to SCSI format information which includes parallel data, and connecting said SCSI information to its associated central processing unit, said serial to parallel means comprising a first latch structure for receiving a first parallel word, and holding said first parallel word; and

    a second latch structure for receiving a second parallel word and holding said second parallel word;

    means, responsive to the parallel to serial converting means, for transmitting said information in said serial format; and

    means, associated with the serial to parallel converting means, for receiving said serial data and connecting said serial data to said serial to parallel converting means; and

    serial data communication means for connecting the transmitting means of the first SCSI unit to the receiving means of the second SCSI unit and for connecting the receiving means of the first SCSI unit to the transmitting means of the second SCSI unit and performing serial data communication therebetween.

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