Abstract: A system for acquiring and displaying data in a measurement process includes a local display unit enabled for wireless data reception, and a measuring tool for acquiring measurement data, the tool being enabled for wireless data transmission. The system is characterized in that the acquired data is transmitted from the measuring tool to the local display unit and displayed thereon.

Abstract: A single-chip microprogrammable sequencer (10) provides a bus (12) for connection of an external microprocessor. The sequencer includes a register file (40) which consists of a number of registers accessible to the microprocessor by which the microprocessor can monitor and control operation of the sequencer. The sequencer also includes a writeable control store (52) which is accessible to the microprocessor. Microinstructions may be written to the store by the microprocessor so that selected programs or program segments will be executed by the sequencer. A breakpoint register (104), included in the register file, is used in conjunction with a program counter portion of the sequencer providing a breakpoint facility for the microprocessor. Similarly, start, halt, reset and single-step operations may be performed by the sequencer under control of the microprocessor.

Abstract: Interface circuitry (24) is provided which automatically detects which of two types of microprocessor is connected to the interface and configures the interface accordingly. A "type" flip-flop (36, 38) is initially set to expect a first type of microprocessor (10) and the interface is configured to expect a read and a write strobe. When a write cycle is performed by a second type (14) of microprocessor, the "type" flip-flop changes state and reconfigures the interface to expect a data strobe and a read/write indicator signal.

Abstract: In a circuit for selectively communicating data into and out of a signal path, typically used for diagnosing a data processing unit, a shadow register is used for receiving data from and transferring data to an external source. The shadow register is physically insulated from the signal path by a first state register and a second state register, the first state register transferring data from the signal path to the shadow register, the second state register transferring data between the shadow register and the signal path. Path switching is achieved by a selector connected to the respective outputs of the first and second state registers and responsive to a control signal for releasing output signals from only one of these registers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth for optimizing the performance of instruction processors using an instruction cache memory in combination with a sequential transfer main memory. According to the invention, the memory system stores preselected instructions in cache memory. The instructions are those that immediately follow a branch operation. The purpose of storing these instructions is to minimize, and if possible, eliminate the delay associated with fetching the same sequence from main memory following a subsequent branch to the same instruction string. The number of instructions that need to be cached (placed in cache memory) is a function of the access time for the first and subsequent fetches from sequential main memory, the speed of the cache memory, and instruction execution time. The invention is particularly well suited for use in computer systems having RISC architectures with fixed instruction lengths.

Abstract: A terminal pin (28) of an integrated circuit can be controlled in three ways to function as an input or an output pin. A logic circuit (16, 20, 23, 26) permits the pin to be synchronously enabled as an output terminal under software control. The circuit also permits the pin to be asynchronously enabled as an output terminal under control of a signal applied to another pin of the integrated circuit. The circuit also permits continuous control of the terminal as an output pin. Maskable bits stored in registers (18, 22) and configuration bits stored in register (25) affords additional flexibility in establishing which of the three ways the terminal pin wil be controlled.