Abstract: A computer digital logic circuit utilizing an encoded Read Only Memory (ROM) and multiplexor elements is used to translate top-level shift control signals, such as arise from instruction translation, into the low-level control of selecting data input to, and controlling the shift count in, a shif matrix during a generalized computer shift operation. ROM size is held to only 64 addresses.times.16 bits per addressed cell in controlling selectable circular, selectable sign fill, single precision or double precision (dual pass) shifting in a sixteen bit shift matrix because the ROM is addressed with only part of the top-level shift control signals. Remaining top-level signals select among encoded outputs of the ROM in four multiplexor circuit elements to produce low-level gating control signals, called preselector control, which ultimately enable selection among two registers' data and sign fill data inputs to the shift matrix. The ROM directly produces the shift count control of the shift matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a two's complement, single or double precision digital multiply, whereby the multiplication is performed in a one's complement format in a gate array assembly and then converted to a two's complement format. The gate array assembly generally multiplying successive eight bit bytes of the multiplier two bits at a time in each of four ranks to the full width multiplicand and producing a partial sum and carry at the end of each cycle. Each partial sum and carry then being fedback, aligned and added into the partial sum and carry produced during the multiplication of the next successive multiplier byte, until the multiplication is complete and at which time the final partial carry is converted and added to the final partial product to produce the final product.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of providing a variable speed cycle time for synchronous machines. The synchronous machine performs a number of functions, wherein the execution time for a given function is dependent upon the input quantities. Timing for the input dependent function is divided into fixed and variable sequences. A synchronous counter is loaded with a quantity representative of the input quantities. The synchronous counter then controls the duration of the variable sequences based upon the representative quantity. Since it is clocked by the system clock, the synchronous counter controls the variable sequences synchronously with the controlling of the fixed sequences.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing the control of data transfers within single instruction stream multiple data stream processors. Each of the parallel processors or arithmetic units is coupled to a dedicated local memory. A main memory provides storage of system data. Each dedicated local memory and the main memory are coupled to a bus interface unit. Each bus interface unit is coupled to a common data bus for the transfer of data between the main memory and the dedicated local memories. Each bus interface unit provides the control functions required to transfer data between the common data bus and the main or local memory to which it is coupled. One bus interface unit is designated the resource controller. The resource controller performs all of the functions of a bus interface unit and also provides the system level functions of supplying clock signals and performing bus arbitration.

Abstract: A cyclical machine forming tool utilizes positionally justified form knives so that, nominally, a selected 80 out of 120 total stripped wire ends of flat ribbon cable may be selectively simultaneously formed, for bent, into a contour such as is useful for soldered attachement to printed circuit cards. Positional justification of wire-forming hammer elements called form knives, nominally 41 in number, across a variable distance, nominally 1.676.+-.0.009 inches, is expediently repetitively accurately accomplished by wedging them apart with interspersed counterposed knife elements, nominally 40 in number, called adjuster knives.

Abstract: Each of the exclusive OR (XOR, or odd parity) and exclusive NOR (XNOR, or even parity) logical functions as between two signals input in both normal and inverted form is generated from separate logic circuits of two transfer gates implemented in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) very large scale integrated circuit (VLSIC) technology. Replications of paired such XOR and XNOR logical circuits within a parity tree allow parity generation/detection as between 2.sup.N signals input in both normal and inverted form in only N propagation stages of typically average 0.9 nanosecond delay each stage when implemented in 11/4 micron feature size CMOS VLSIC.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of Dynamic Subchannel Allocation permitting easily field modifiable assignment of Input/Output (I/O) subchannels to I/O channels. Many present day medium-to-large scale computers have an I/O unit(s) with a fixed number of I/O ports or I/O channels for the transmission of information between the computer and peripheral devices. Improvements to these I/O channels, now common in the art, permit multiple peripheral devices to be coupled to the computer through a single I/O channel. Each of these multiple peripheral devices may be said to communicate through an I/O subchannel. A given I/O subchannel designation logically specifies the hardware within the shared I/O channel that is dedicated to communication with the corresponding one of the multiple peripheral devices coupled to that shared I/O channel. The present invention is an improvement which provides for allocation of I/O subchannels to I/O channels in the field rather than at time of manufacture.

Abstract: A portable electric hot air rework tool for directing a stream of turbulent hot air through removable and replaceable nozzles with a selectably sized orifice to predetermined size localized areas of a printed circuit assembly until a temperature sufficient to melt solder is achieved, thereby facilitating the soldering/desoldering of circuit components or parts of components mounted thereon. The apparatus essentially comprises a portable work station having upper and lower heat tubes, or plenums, through which a blower-forced stream of air made turbulent by turbulators with contra-pitched blades is directed, an adjustable support grid for supporting the pc assembly, within the directed air stream and a three-position switch for controlling the temperature and flow of the air in the heat tubes. An alignment positional indicator aids in precise location of the printed circuit assembly.

Abstract: A strong U-channel shaped, spring clip of steel is used to retain by dual strong compressive clamping a strip conductor flexible flat ribbon cable at the edge of, and against a flat sheet substrate of epoxy or glass. Spring clamping is evenly uniformly exerted across all conductors across the width of the cable by finger-like spring segments integral with the clip. Stripped conductor ends of the ribbon cable are electrically connected to printed circuit lands upon the edge plane of the substrate by this clamping force. A second strong compressive force normal to the edge of the substrate is exerted by an elastomeric cellular silicone rubber pad at the base of the U-channel shaped spring clip which is held in strong compression when the spring clip is clamped upon the substrate. Assembly, disassembly, and reassembly are readily accomplished at zero sliding force or wear to connected conductors.

Abstract: An electronic circuit controls a non-linear electromechanical valve in order that the temperature of approximately 25 gallons of coolant water within a reservoir may be maintained within +2.8.degree. C. to -0.0.degree. C. of a set point temperature from 35.degree. F. to 100.degree. F. The valve regulates circulation of such coolant within a secondary cooling loop incorporating a non-linear heat exchanger for thermal exchange with building water flowing from 20 to 30 gallons per minute. The reservoir coolant water is subject to an essentially instantaneously variable thermal load of 0 to 20 kilowatts due to circulation through logic modules in a primary coolant loop. The electromechanical valve control circuit receives an external set point temperature signal, and a reservoir coolant temperature signal which is offset in conversion from degrees Kelvin to degrees Centigrade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus whereby an auxiliary yoke is used in conjunction with a CRT display to correctively deflect the electron beam to a true position within each pixel of a graphics figure, as the graphics figure is displayed on the CRT's screen. The apparatus thus increasing the display's resolution within each pixel so as to permit the smoothing of the displayed graphics figures.The improved resolution being achieved via a four bit binary position correction code, three bits of which are stored in the image memory at those memory addresses corresponding to the coordinates of the pixels that comprise the graphics figure, and one bit of which position correction code is stored at the immediately preceeding memory addresses. The entire position correction code in turn being decoded as the image memory is read and used to drive one or the other of the x and y coil pairs of the x-y auxiliary yoke.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of searching a data base using variable search criteria. The data base consists of a set of files or portions thereof. Each file is divided into a number of records whereby all records of a given file have the same format but the records of different files may have different formats. A field format register is used to define the format of the records within a given file. The field format register specifies the location and width of each field within a record. To perform a search, a field-by-field comparison of each record is made to a reference word. The comparison yields a less than, equal to or greater than result for each field of each record. A field comparison register describes the expected result of the field-by-field comparison. A given field is designated true if the comparison yields the expected result specified for that field in the field comparison register.

Abstract: Any number N of light emitting diode (LED) push-button indicator-switches are connected by one wire each to a corresponding N interconnected assemblages of four cross-coupled logical elements each. A pushbutton activated signal input through a one connective wire causes a cross-coupled flip-flop storage action within the associated assemblage which will maintain the L.E.D. lit by outputting on the selfsame connective wire after the pushbutton is released. A one-shot circuit merged in each assemblage clears via the interconnect the stored signals of all other assemblages when a new pushbutton signal is activated. One of N selections between N indicator switches is thusly obtained with only one wire connection to each.

Abstract: A ground-to-air, voiced alerting system whereby a ground controller can communicate traffic warning messages to a pilot in an automatic fashion via a voice radio band and a voiced message generator. The system generally comprising means for transmitting a frequency shift key (FSK) encoded message to the pilot via the voice band and receiver means for decoding the same message. The decoding means, in turn, generally comprising means for identifying specific aircraft and additional means for decoding the message and producing the voiced message over the pilot's head set.