Abstract: A local area network (LAN) communications bus arrangement comprises a multiprocessor (.mu.P) bus, a direct memory access bus, and an adapter bus. The microprocessor bus permits the attachment of various computer elements while providing other integrity and communication functions to other computer elements or computer systems beyond the bus. The communications bus arrangement includes an adapter interface having up to four daughterboards. Each daughterboard has odd and even numbered connectors. The daughterboards are designed to handle control, data and address lines on the connectors. These daughterboards are the hardware means by which communications with LANs which are attached to the bus arrangement are accomplished with processes, disks tapes, memories, attached to the proprietary bus.

Abstract: An electronic assembly is made up of a number of electronic components. Each of the electronic components having a means for putting the component in a quiescent state while the remaining components are in a functional state, thereby enabling the testing of individual components without disassembly.

Abstract: An improved current pump for use in a Type II phase-locked loop including diodes employed as on-off switches for completing paths for a source current. Apparatus is disclosed for increasing the switching speeds of the diodes by ensuring that diode bias voltages undergo the smallest possible shifts required to switch the diodes.

Abstract: Apparatus 117 interfaces system multiplexing/demultiplexing (MUX/DMUX) station circuitry 113, which exchanges pulse code modulated (PCM) signal samples of voice, data and control information in an interleaved port group format with a plurality of the system user ports 120 in each of a succession of sample time intervals, with the system time slot interchange (TSI) matrix 110 which switches the PCM voice, data and control signal samples in each sample time interval in groups of common signal type.

Abstract: An improved charge pump for use in a phase-locked loop is disclosed in which there is only one current source, and in which all switching components pass current in the same direction. The charge pump may thus be constructed entirely of NPN transistors, which makes it possible to embody it in a single integrated circuit chip. The pump up and pump down currents inherently have the same magnitude and transient characteristics, thus minimizing steady-state errors.

Abstract: Programmable feature card circuitry includes: a signal processor with parallel input/output (I/O) data ports and responsive to command of the PBX call processor, signal memory, and a signal interface for converting the PBX signal format to a processor compatible format; the signal memory including program memory for storing signal processor program signals representing the programmed algorithm to be performed by the signal processor in the execution of the user selected PBX support function and including data memory for storing data signals from the PBX, the signal processor executing the stored programmed algorithm in response to the command signals from the PBX call processor.

Abstract: An integrated digital network (IDN) includes a matrix and user signal ports for exchanging voice, data, IDN control, and building control digital signals between the matrix and user equipment, the digital signals comprising single samples of each signal type from each user port in each IDN sample time interval, the IDN further including a transmission system for concentrating user port digital signal samples of each sample time interval, by common signal type, into multiple bit channel signals for exchange between the user ports and matrix signal ports of the matrix switch, the matrix switch interconnecting each channel signal from one or more user ports to one or more other user ports.

Abstract: A floating-point unit constructed of at least two identical modules. Each module contains registers for storing floating-point data, a sign and exponent processing unit for processing the sign and exponent portions of floating-point values, and a mantissa processing unit for processing the mantissa portion. Buses allow transfer of operands from the registers to the mantissa and sign and exponent processing units and the return of the result to the registers. Interconnections between the modules and configuration logic on each module enable the modules to function as a single floating-point unit. The interconnections include connections between corresponding buses of the modules and connections between corresponding mantissa processing units. The configuration logic is responsive to position signals indicating the module's position relative to other modules in the floating-point unit and precision signals indicating the precision of the floating-point data being processed by the unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for improving instruction decoding in a microcode-controlled digital computer system. The microinstruction sequences are made simple and compact enough that sufficient complexity is required in the instruction decoding logic that it is feasible to custom-configure a gate array to perform instruction decoding. The resultant gate array, by virtue of being embodied in a single integrated circuit, is extremely fast and compact and has low power requirements.

Abstract: A data processing system having separate kernel, vertical and horizontal microcode, separate loading of vertical microcode and a permanently resident kernel microcode, and a soft console with dual levels of capability. The system includes a processor having dual ALC and microcode processors, and an instruction processor. Also included are a processor incorporating a multifunction processor memory, a malfunction nibble shifter, and a high speed look-aside memory control.

Abstract: A data processing system having separate kernel, vertical and horizontal microcode, separate loading of vertical microcode and a permanently resident kernel microcode, and a soft console with dual levels of capability. The system includes a processor having dual ALC and microcode processors, and an instruction processor. Also included are a processor incorporating a multifunction processor memory, a multifunction nibble shifter, and a high speed look-aside memory control. Adaptive microcode control means 272 are disclosed in which microinstruction sequencing is a function 273 of the current microinstruction and current machine state.

Abstract: A data processing uses instructions which may refer to operands in main memory by either physical or logical addresses. The central processor has an internal memory organized as two portions. The first portion provides a scratchpad memory function for the central processor and the second portion is responsive to logical addresses to provide corresponding physical addresses.

Abstract: A content-addressable memory module which performs an associative clear operation in response to a clear signal provided on a clear line. The associative clear operation simultaneously clears all registers in the content-addressable memory module whose contents match bits in a pattern input to the content-addressable memory module. A mask input along with the pattern determines which bits of the pattern are significant for the match. Each register in the content-addressable memory module has a bidirectional match line associated with it. A register's bidirectional match line carries a match signal only if that register contains data matching the pattern bits specified by the mask and the bidirectional match line is receiving a match signal from an external source. Clearing logic associated with each register clears the register when a clear signal appears on the clear line while the register's bidirectional match line is carrying a match signal.

Abstract: A digital computer system in which data storage is referred to by a descriptor comprising an object number denoting a variable-length block of storage, an offset indicating how far into that block a desired data item begins, and a length field denoting the length of the desired data item. Separate means exist for manipulating each of the three descriptor portions, thus facilitating repetitive operations on related or contiguous operands. Various levels of microcode control are included. Each level of microcode control has its own stack, facilitating interrupts between levels. Stacks are duplicated in "secure stacks" in memory to protect against loss of state data from the stacks.

Abstract: A digital computer system in which the memory is structured into objects, which are blocks of storage of arbitrary length, in which the data items are accessed by specifying the desired object and the desired data item's offset into that object. The memory controls accommodate any number of memory arrays of any size, automatically transforming the addresses to present the appearance of a single unified memory bank.

Abstract: A memory device is disclosed that operates internally substantially independent of the timing of signals from its associated computer. That is, the timing controls for multiplexing the row and column address into the memory chips as well as the enabling signal for writing information into the chips are controlled by different delay lines so that the memory always operates at its optimal operational speed. In addition, the input and output latches are arranged to receive or output information to or from the computer at a time that is optimal for the computer or other information requester.

Abstract: A disk drive employs transversal filters as equalizers for each of its read heads, permitting adaptive equalization of read head signals, optimized for each track position.