Microprogrammable control processor for a minicomputer or the like
US4172281A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 1977 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/223
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A minicomputer comprises a microprogrammable central processing unit wherein micro-instruction execution speed is optimized through the use of variable micro-instruction timing logic and by grouping micro-instruction according to execution time. Furthermore, data paths are arranged so that micro-routines that implement more complex operations, i.e., memory reference instructions, follow the fastest route possible. When micro-instructions requiring longer data paths are programmed, the computer dynamically varies the length of the microcycle to be a function of both the type of micro-instruction to be executed and the state of the minicomputer when the micro-instruction is to be executed. A microprogrammable processor port is provided to allow coupling of external hardware, e.g., I/O devices, other processors, etc., directly to the microprogrammed control processor. This capability is in addition to the standard input/output system of the minicomputer, thereby providing an alternate interface path for devices requiring very fast transfer rates. These devices interfaced through the microprogrammable processor port are directly coupled to the internal data busses of the minicomputer a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.