Abstract: A microprocessor device used as an adapter for a communications loop of the closed-ring, token-passing, local area network type is disclosed. Each station on the ring has a host processor with a host CPU, a main memory, and a system bus. The microprocessor device therein which operates relatively independently from the host CPU, and which is coupled to the main memory by the system bus, includes a local CPU, a local read/write memory, an on-chip timer, a local bus and a bus arbiter. A transmit/receive controller is connected between the ring and the microprocessor device. This controller is coupled to the local bus to directly access the local read/write memory, also under control of the bus arbiter.

Abstract: Resistor elements for MOS integrated circuits are made by an ion implant step compatible with a self-aligned N-channel silicon-gate process. The resistor elements are in a part of a polycrystalline silicon layer which is also used as a gate for an MOS transistor and as an interconnection overlying field oxide. Resistors of this type are ideally suited for load devices in static RAM cells.