Abstract: A bus interface for interfacing between a processor and a shared bus is disclosed. The bus interface allows the exchange of data in the form of packets between the bus and the processor. An interface control device exchanges control data with the shared bus (e.g. identification signals, polling signals, control signals) in order to regulate accesses of the interface circuit to the shared bus. State machines (e.g. a transmitter and a receiver) including data pipelines, are responsive to control signals from the interface control device for exchanging data between the shared bus and a data storage device. An access control device both controls the flow of data between the processor and the data storage device and regulates access to the data storage device between the processor and the state machines.

Abstract: A bus arrangement for providing equipment units with an address is disclosed. Each individual equipment unit achieves its address automatically according to its relative physical position within the organization of the units without the need for setting any switches. In simplistic terms, this is achieved by providing at each unit, modification of the bus leads. This includes the termination of one lead, the addition of one lead, and the relative repositioning of the other leads.