Microprocessor device with integrated auto-loaded timer
US4571675A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/385
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A microprocessor device with an on-chip integrated auto-loaded timer is used in an adapter for a communications loop of the token-passing local area network type. The network has a number of stations coupled to a closed one-way signal path, and each station has a host processor with a host CPU and memory. The microprocessor device with integrated auto-loaded timer is part of an adapter coupled to the host processor. A message frame to be transmitted is copied into a local read/write memory in the adapter by way of the host system bus and a local bus, under initiation by the host CPU. A transmit-and-receive controller is coupled to the local bus to directly access the local read/write memory; when this station has access to the loop (i.e., receives a free token) the transmit-and-receive controller copies the message frame from the local read/write memory to the outgoing signal path, converting from parallel to serial. When the transmit-and-receive controller receives a message addressed to this station, it converts it from serial to parallel, and copies the message frame into the local read/write memory via the local bus, interrupting the local CPU. The message frame is then copied …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.