Abstract: A device for connecting 8-bit and 16-bit modules to a 16-bit microprocessor. Primary data inputs and outputs of the 16-bit microprocessor are coupled, through data buffers, to the information inputs and outputs of half of the 8-bit modules and to primary data inputs and outputs, respectively, of the 16-bit modules, while secondary data inputs and outputs of the 16-bit microprocessor are coupled, through data buffers, to the information inputs and outputs of the other half of the 8-bit modules and to the secondary data inputs and outputs, respectively, of the 16-bit modules. On operations requiring word, or two-byte, exchange operation with the 8-bit modules, a control circuit extends operation of the 16-bit microprocessor allowing the 8-bit modules to work on the two-byte word one byte at a time. The 16-bit modules are capable of word exchange with the 16-bit microprocessor by simultaneously using the primary and secondary inputs and outputs thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a 16 bit microprocessor to an 8-bit device such as a memory device permits full 16-bit (2-byte) words to be exchanged to or from the 16-bit microprocessor through a series of buffers controlled by a control circuit which is driven by the microprocessor. The method and apparatus puts the microprocessor in a wait state with strictly defined duration when reading a first byte from an 8-bit device, a control circuit stores it in a buffer register, modifies the read address of the 8-bit device, and then sends the stored first byte together with a second byte read from the 8-bit device to the microprocessor simultaneously. This arrangement makes the 8-bit device appear like a 16-bit device to the microprocessor. When writing to the 8-bit device, two bytes are simultaneously taken from the microprocessor, one going directly to the 8-bit device and the other going to a buffer.

Abstract: Planetary wire-feeding device having a housing containing rollers which freely rotate about axles arranged at an angle to each other and crossing the electrode wire being fed by the mechanism. In one embodiment disclosed herein the housing is of spherical form and is made of two identical hemispherical parts interconnected by means of connecting means which are placed in tension. Two opposite coaxial holes the geometrical axis of which lies at the contact plane between the two hemispherical parts of the housing are formed in the hemispheres. The unit for thrusting the opposed rollers toward each other and into engagement with the wire is formed as a support seat formed in each hemispherical part of the housing, the seats being parallel to the contact plane between such hemispherical parts.