Abstract: In a microprogrammed data processing system the throughput of the system is increased during the processing of decimal numeric instructions by apparatus which strips zone bits, sign, exponent and non-operand characters from the operand when the operand is received from memory and appends the zone bits, sign, exponent and non-operand characters to the resultant operand when stored into memory. The control signals for stripping and appending information is enabled by shifter logical elements.

Abstract: A multiprogramming/multiprocessing computer system for executing a plurality of processes sharing common information in the form of records, pages or messages, employing an apparatus for avoiding an interference between two processes seeking access to elements of common information. The system operates to store in a first memory utilization data in table form identifying the processes which have accessed each individual element of common information. A second memory stores a matrix of precedence data representing the relative order in which processes must access the common information in accordance with a predetermined set of access rules. When a first process enters a request to access an element of common information, the system identifies from the utilization table any other process which, according to the access rules, must be given precedence to the common information over the first process.

Abstract: In a microprogrammed data processing system, the throughput of the system is increased by apparatus which counts the number of effective digits in an operand which is the result of a decimal numeric instruction being processed by the system. The apparatus receives operand words the operand's least significant word first, in response to a predetermined microword.The apparatus includes a first register which stores a count of one less than the number of words received; an adder which increments the output of the first register if the word received has a decimal zero in the high order position of the word; and a second register which stores the output of the adder in a word count portion and the number of leading zeros in a digit count portion of the second register. The second register is loaded on the same cycle the word is processed providing the word does not contain all decimal zeros.

Abstract: A control store in a data processor is addressed by means of next address generation logic which includes a first multiplexer utilized to address the control store, which multiplexer has several inputs. One of such inputs is received from a latching mechanism which allows more than one test condition to be simultaneously utilized for addressing the control store on a free flow basis. These test conditions, as well as information from an addressed control word, are utilized in a multiplexed arrangement as one input of the first multiplexer. By use of other inputs of such first multiplexer, the control store may be addressed by use of branch address information, as well as other test condition information. A page register provides the page address, to a plurality of pages included in this control store with the locations in each such page addressed by use of the above noted multiplexer combination.

Abstract: Clock logic for generating multiple clock pulses during a single clock cycle. In response to a signal indicative of a clock cycle, effectively two clock pulses are produced in a relatively short period of time. Such logic, which includes a delay element, causes first a load pulse to be produced thereby enabling the loading of information into, for example, a register. Additionally, and within the same clock cycle as the load pulse and in response to the same signal, an increment pulse is produced to, for example, increment a counting function which may be included in such register.

Abstract: A data processing system comprises a data processing unit coupled to a cache unit which couples to a main store. The cache unit includes a cache store organized into a plurality of levels, each for storing a number of blocks of information in the form of data and instructions. Directories associated with the cache store contain addresses and level control information for indicating which blocks of information reside in the cache store. The cache unit further includes control apparatus and a transit block buffer comprising a number of sections each having a plurality of locations for storing read commands and transit block addresses associated therewith. A corresponding number of valid bit storage elements are included, each of which is set to a binary ONE state when a read command and the associated transit block address are loaded into a corresponding one of the buffer locations.

Abstract: A word oriented data processing system includes a plurality of system units all connected in common to a system bus. Included are a central processor unit (CPU), a memory system and a high speed buffer or cache system. The cache system is also coupled to the CPU. The cache includes an address directory and a data store with each address location of directory addressing its respective word in data store. The CPU requests a word of cache by sending a memory request to cache which includes a memory address location. If the requested word is stored in the data store, then it is sent to the CPU. If the word is not stored in cache, the cache requests the word of memory. When the cache receives the word from memory, the word is sent to the CPU and also stored in the data store.

Abstract: A logic system requiring no tuning adjustments is provided for converting an MFM encoded information stream read from a mass storage medium to a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) information stream. The MFM encoded information stream is routed through an input shift register to provide plural information bit cells in parallel. Outputs of the shift register are sampled with a multiplexer to generate timing strobes for detecting an address mark, and for identifying clock bits, data bits and logic zero data appearing in the MFM encoded data field following the address mark. Clock bits are separated from the data, and both data bits and logic zero data are applied serially to an output shift register to form a serial NRZ data stream. Each time a data bit or logic zero data is loaded into the output shift register, a synchronization strobe is generated to transfer the NRZ data to succeeding systems.

Abstract: A cache system includes a storage unit organized into a plurality of levels, each including a number of multiword blocks and a corresponding number of address selection switches and address registers. Each address selection switch has a plurality of different positions connected to receive address signals from a plurality of address sources. A decoder circuit generates output signals for controlling the operation of the address selection switches. In response to previously defined level signals, the decoder circuit conditions a specified one of the number of switches to switch from a first position to a second position. An address specifying the location into which memory data is to be written is clocked into one address register while the address specifying the location from which an instruction is to be fetched is clocked into the remaining address registers.

Abstract: A final effective address of an operand is generated in a microprogrammed data processing system by use of a base address register which may include an unindexed address, an index register which may include an indexed address value, an instruction register which may include an instruction word, which instruction word provides control over the addressing of a control store dependent upon the state of a selected one of a plurality of test conditions. One of the test conditions indicating whether some of the addressing values used in the generation of the effective address are in a short address format or in a long address format. The address control store word provides signals for controlling the operation of the system, including the branch in between such major operations as instruction fetching, addressing, reading, writing, and execution as well as branching between minor operations which are included in the major operations.

Abstract: A remote power controller for turning computer power on and off from a remote site. Standard data communication lines are utilized to transmit the control and identification signals.

Abstract: A data processing system includes means for enabling programs originated for a system structured for operating in a first data base environment to be executed by the system which is structured to operate in a second data base environment through the inclusion of stored tables and special routines without having to rewrite the programs to operate in the second data base environment.

Abstract: A data processing system includes means which are operative when the system is conditioned for operating in a trace mode during the processing of program instructions, to record the op code of each instruction designated as executable by the bit contents of a table referenced before beginning instruction execution. When the op code of an instruction is designated by the table as not being executable, the system traps the instruction and generates a call to the operating system software without recording its op code. The selective recording and trapping of instruction operation codes facilitates diagnosis of program errors or faults within the system. This is particularly valuable when the system includes emulation apparatus which may not be completely compatible in every detail with the system being emulated.

Abstract: In a peripheral controller of a data processing system having a plurality of system units electrically coupled to a common communication bus for asynchronous intercommunication, an array of counters responsive to both hardware and firmware are connected in a manner to form a serial control data path. Prior to a data transfer, a serial data stream including an offset range count, a range count and a main memory address is shifted through the counters under firmware control. During a data transfer, the firmware enables the hardware control to increment the memory address and decrement the range count to accommodate the higher data transfer rates characteristic of hardware control.

Abstract: A display device includes improved raster scan apparatus which provides for the video display of information in timed synchronization with cycles of AC power. The raster scan apparatus includes a circuit which monitors the periodicity of the AC input power to the display device. This circuit is operative to initialize certain raster scan logic which thereafter authorizes the next raster scan sweep. In this manner, each raster scan is synchronized with respect to the cyclical AC power. This synchronization eliminates visible distortion on the video output of the display device.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a central processor subsystem, a main memory subsystem and a cache subsystem, all coupled in common to a system bus. During the overall system initialization process, apparatus in the cache subsystem effects the transfer of information from the main memory subsystem to the cache subsystem to load all address locations of the cache subsystem. The transfer of information from the main memory subsystem to the cache subsystem starts from the lowest order address locations in main memory and continues from successive address locations until the cache subsystem is fully loaded. This assures that the cache subsystem contains valid information during normal data processing.

Abstract: During system initialization, a cache is completely loaded with valid information from main memory. The directory and data buffer are organized in levels of memory locations. Each level of the directory and data buffer is loaded in turn from main memory. Round Robin apparatus, which is preset during system initialization, identifies the next level into which a replacement data word is written on a first in-first out basis. The round robin count for each address location of cache indentifying the next level to be written is stored in a random access memory (RAM). The contents of a particular address location of RAM is incremented each time replacement information is written into that address location in cache.

Abstract: A first in-first out buffer memory coupled to a system bus receives all information transferred over the bus. Logic associated with the buffer memory tests if the information received is intended to update main memory or is in response to a cache request. The information is written into cache if the main memory address location is stored in a cache directory. The information received in response to a cache request is stored in a cache data buffer. Other information is discarded.

Abstract: In a data processing system which includes a plurality of system units such as a central processing unit (CPU), main memory, and cache memory all connected in common to a system bus and communicating with each other via the system bus, and also having a private CPU-cache memory interface for permitting direct cache memory read access by the CPU, a multi-configurable cache store control unit for permitting cache memory to operate in any of the following word modes:1. Single pull banked;2. Double pull banked;3. Single pull interleaved;4. Double pull interleaved.The number of words read is a function of the main store configuration and the amount of memory interference from I/O controllers and other subsystems. The number ranges from one to four under the various conditions.

Abstract: A Data Processing System comprises a central processor unit, a main memory and a cache, all coupled in common to a system bus. The central processor unit is also separately coupled to the cache. Apparatus in cache is responsive to signals received from the central processor unit to initiate a test and verification mode of operation in cache. This mode enables the cache to exercise various logic areas of cache and to indicate to the central processor unit hardware faults.