Patent · US Expired

Multi-processor communication network

US4253144A · kind A · utility

185Cited by
6References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 1978
Grant dateFeb 24, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 21, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F15/173
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A network is described wherein a plurality of processors are connected in a hierarchy of levels with provision for communication between the various processors. A Global Memory Module (GMM) and a system hierarchy of processors is described which provides access to a plurality of addressable memory storage units. A multiple number of processors or computer systems are connected to one or more Global Memory Modules whereby memory resources may be shared by multiple processor systems and where control and communications are provided between the processors through the Global Memory Modules. The Global Memory Module may be organized into a hierarchy of Global Memory Module systems whereby processors attached to "lower level" GMM systems may access memory in "higher level" GMM systems. Means are provided whereby a processor in one GMM system may send commands and messages to a processor in another GMM system. Means are provided by which one processor can address another specific processor in the system network or whereby one processor can address an "available" processor in a system designated under a system name, and the network will choose the processor which is "idle" or, if there is …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.