Abstract: A partitionable computer system and method of operating the same is disclosed. The partitionable computer system has a state machine, a processor, and a device controller. The state machine can be configured to monitor the status of a partition of the partitionable computer system. The information provided by the state machine can be used to provide security within the partitionable computing system.

Abstract: Method for efficiently and flexibly comparing a group of multi-bit binary fields with a multi-bit expected pattern to generate a set of final match results, one final match result for each binary field in the group. Sets of of bit-wise comparator results are generated, one set for each binary field, by comparing each binary field with the expected pattern. Then, sets of bit-wise mask results are generated for each binary field by bit-wise masking each set of bit-wise comparator results with a mask pattern. Then, a set of preliminary match results is generated. Each preliminary match result is equal to the logical AND of all bits making up the bit-wise mask result set for the corresponding binary field. Then, a set of secondary match results is generated by negating all of the preliminary match results if a negate indicator is asserted.

Abstract: Circuitry for detecting signal patterns on a multi-bit bus. First comparison circuitry monitors a first portion of the bus comparing it with a first expected signal pattern, generating a first comparison output. Second comparison circuitry monitors a second portion of the bus comparing it with a second expected signal pattern, generating a second comparison output. Both comparison outputs are applied to an AND gate and a first OR gate. One data input of a multiplexer is coupled to the output of the first OR gate. Another data input is coupled to the output of the AND gate. Another data input is coupled to the first comparison output, and another data input is coupled to the second comparison output.One input of a second OR gate may be coupled to the multiplexer output, and another input coupled to a disable indicator, allowing the multiplexer output to be overridden.

Abstract: User-configurable diagnostic hardware contained on-chip with a microprocessor for the purpose of debugging and monitoring the performance of the microprocessor. Method for using the same. A programmable state machine is coupled to on-chip and off-chip input sources. The state machine may be programmed to look for signal patterns presented by the input sources, and to respond to the occurrence of a defined pattern (or sequence of defined patterns) by driving certain control information onto a state machine output bus. On-chip devices coupled to the output bus take user-definable actions as dictated by the bus. The input sources include user-configurable comparators located within the functional blocks of the microprocessor. The comparators are coupled to storage elements within the microprocessor, and are configured to monitor nodes to determine whether the state of the nodes matches the data contained in the storage elements.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for analysing digital radio transmissions which can provide an output indicating the condition of a digital transmission link. The apparatus operates by sampling received radio signals to produce for each sampling instant a signal or signals representative of the modulation state of the transmission at the sampling instant. The apparatus includes a processor which can receive and measure a given number of such signals. The processing means is arranged to process the signals according to one or more stored routines and generate one or more parameters which indicate the condition of the transmission. The apparatus includes means for representing the samples by digitally encoded numbers and the processing means arranges those samples into one of a plurality of groups according to the value of the number. The number of groups correspond to the number of modulation states. This technique allows the apparatus to carry out accurate analysis of the transmission.

Abstract: An inductor used to allow in-circuit and functional testing at the same point on a test system. An inductor is used having a saturated state wherein the inductor functions to connect the test system to the device under test wherein when a large direct current passes through the wires it generates a large magnetic field saturating the core of the inductor. Thereafter, small increases or decreases in the current passing through the wires are not affected by the core since the core is already saturated. The inductor also has a not saturated state when the inductor functions to isolate the test system from the device under test in functional testing. The inductor in the not saturated state functions to minimize current flow from the test system and wires to minimize loading effects of the test system on the device under test.

Abstract: A tape cartridge adapted to utilize the read/write head(s) in a disc drive to read data from and/or write data onto the tape. The tape cartridge includes a portion which has a size and shape which enables it to be inserted into the disc drive to locate a portion of the tape at a predetermined location suitable for transferring data with the disc drive head(s). The tape cartridge includes: tape media; a means to register the tape media with respect to the read/write head(s) of a disc drive; spool or reel means for storing that portion of the tape media which is not contained within the portion which fits into the disc drive; and a means for feeding the tape media past the read/write head(s) in the disc drive. The tape cartridge includes a linkage which enables it to utilize the disc drive spindle motor to feed the tape.

Abstract: The programmable time advance circuit functions to offset the inherent delay occasioned by the phase lock loop and the drive circuits of a printed circuit board test system to provide a clock signal at the output of the printed circuit board test system that exactly matches the clock signal of the printed circuit board under test at the printed circuit board under test. This is accomplished by inserting a clock advance signal into the phase locked loop to advance the timing of the clock signal generator circuit in the printed circuit board test system to compensate for the delay occasioned by the conductors and driver circuits in the printed circuit board test system.

Abstract: A pre-loaded compression spring assembly is described which preferably includes a compression spring, a base plate to support one end of the spring, and a flexible retention member which extends over the opposite end of the spring and which is adapted to retain the spring in a pre-loaded condition on the base plate. The spring assembly is compressed when force is applied to the upper end of the spring. The spring assembly has a variety of uses, including for example use in circuit board testing apparatus.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for in-circuit testing of a subscriber line interface circuit mounted on a telecommunications card. The automated apparatus is capable of testing the functioning of the subscriber line interface circuit: by applying analog voltage to the tip and ring pins and recording the resulting transmit signals, by applying at least one analog voltage signal to the receive pin and recording the resulting signals on the tip and ring pins, by applying onhook and offhock signals to the tip and ring pins and receiving the resulting hook status signal, and by applying a ring command to the ring control pin and recording the resulting ring signal and then applying an offhook signal to the tip and ring pins and receiving the resulting ring trip signal. In conducting these tests, the automated apparatus electrically overdrives any analog or digital signal from associated components on the circuitry.

Abstract: A fixture latching mechanism for mass terminating a printed circuit test fixture to a test head probe field wherein said fixture latching mechanism is comprised of simultaneously functioning pulldown towers, each of which further comprises a housing having an internal wall for guiding a vertically moving rack containing a horizontally and forwardly biased pulldown which engages the fixture as the rack is powered downward and which disengages from the fixture as the rack is powered upward. Preferably, the disengagement of the pulldown from the fixture is produced by a caming action on a cam follower attached to the rear portion of the pulldown as the cam follower engages a cam system positioned in the upper regions of the housing's internal wall.

Abstract: A computer system in which only the cache memory is permitted to communicate with main memory and the same address being used in the cache is also sent at the same time to the main memory. Thus, as soon as it is discovered that the desired main memory address is not presently in the cache, the main memory RAMs can be read to the cache without being delayed by the main memory address set up time. In addition, since the main memory is not accessable other than from the cache memory, there is also no main memory access delay caused by requests from other system modules such as the I/O controller. Likewise, since the contents of the cache memory is written into a temporary register before being sent to the main memory, a main memory read can be performed before doing a writeback of the cache to the main memory, so that data can be back to the cache in approximately the same amount of time required for a normal main memory access.

Abstract: An inductor used to allow in-circuit and functional testing at the same point on a test system. A inductor is used having a saturated state wherein the inductor functions to connect the test system to the device under test wherein when a large direct current passes through the wires it generates a large magnetic field saturating the core of the inductor. Thereafter, small increases or decreases in the current passing through the wires are not affected by the core since the core is already saturated. The inductor also has a not saturated state when the inductor functions to isolate the test system from the device under test in functional testing. The inductor in the not saturated state functions to minimize current flow from the test system and wires to minimize loading effects of the test system on the device under test.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a magnetic head are described that include access means for accessing a planar interface between the sandwiched halves of a magnetic core within the magnetic head. By accessing this planar interface, the magnetic head may be precisely permanently aligned in a magnetic reading/recording apparatus in a precise, predetermined alignment position.

Abstract: A tape driven system includes means for capturing data block boundaries while moving in reverse, as well as in the forward direction. Thus, block boundaries can be captured following each reversal of tape direction to cancel prior errors induced during tape reversals provided these errors are within tolerance. In a hitch operation, the rear boundary of a data block is recaptured as a reference position for the next forward operation. In a backspace operation, the front boundary of a data block is captured while the tape is moving in the reverse direction to provide a reference point for the next operation.

Abstract: A burner for a flame photometric detector includes a stainless steel housing having a passage therethrough; a stainless steel burner tube extending through the passage and having a flame holder at one end; and at least one stainless steel inlet tube extending through the housing for admitting a support gas to the burner. The burner tube and inlet tube are brazed to the housing to form a unitary device having no sealing rings which can degrade and leak. A transfer line is connected to one end of the burner to conduct the material to be tested to the burner. The transfer line includes a fused silica tube surrounded by a stainless steel outer tube.

Abstract: An RF network analyzer is disclosed which is suitable for both laboratory and automated production measurements. An important feature of the invention is the ability of the user to completely specify the method of calibration to be used. In particular the user can select any three arbitrary RF standards having known electromagnetic response characteristics and can attach them in any arbitrary order to perform the calibration of the instrument. This calibration is carried out by measuring the RF scattering parameters S.sub.11, S.sub.21, S.sub.12, and S.sub.22, storing the data in a memory, and then calculating vector error correction coefficients that are characteristic of systematic errors introduced by the RF network analyzer into measured scattering parameters.

Abstract: Techniques are described for securing a magnetic head to a support carrier for the head in a magnetic storage device (e.g., a tape drive apparatus or disk drive apparatus). One such technique involves temporarily supporting a magnetic head on a fixture which is adapted to cooperate with openings on the magnetic head to orient the head in a predetermined alignment attitude so that the head may be permanently mounted in the magnetic storage device. In another embodiment the fixture may be part of the magnetic storage device itself. There are also provided various embodiments of magnetic heads having openings for accessing a planar interface between the halves of a magnetic core within the head. By accessing this interface the magnetic head may be aligned in a predetermined alignment attitude.