Abstract: A module connection assembly connects modules in a torus configuration that can be changed remotely. In particular, a single module can be added to or deleted from the configuration by remotely switching from conducting paths that provide end-around electrical paths to conducting paths that provide pass-through electrical paths. The assembly includes two backplanes, a first set of module connectors for electrically connecting modules to one of the backplanes, and a second set of module connectors for electrically connecting modules to the other backplane. The assembly further includes configuration controllers. Each configuration controller selects between end-around electrical paths that electrically connect multiple module connectors of the first set to each other, and pass-through electrical paths that electrically connect module connectors of the first set to module connectors of the second set.

Abstract: A router routes data packets. The router includes input physical channels for incrementally receiving portions of the data packets, and output physical channels. The router further includes data buffers, coupled with the input and output physical channels, for storing the portions of the data packets. The router further includes control circuitry, coupled with the input and output physical channels and the data buffers, for generating virtual channel assignments that assign virtual channels to the data packets, and generating physical channel assignments that assign the output physical channels to the virtual channels. Each of the assignments is generated in response to queued arrival and credit events. The portions of the data packets are forwarded from the data buffers to the output physical channels according to the generate virtual and physical channel assignments.

Abstract: A router routes data packets. The router includes input physical channels for incrementally receiving portions of the data packets, and output physical channels. The router further includes data buffers, coupled with the input and output physical channels, for storing the portions of the data packets. The router further includes control circuitry, coupled with the input and output physical channels and the data buffers, for generating virtual channel assignments that assign virtual channels to the data packets, and generating physical channel assignments that assign the output physical channels to the virtual channels. Each of the assignments is generated in response to queued arrival and credit events. The portions of the data packets are forwarded from the data buffers to the output physical channels according to the generate virtual and physical channel assignments.

Abstract: A module connection assembly connects modules in a torus configuration that can be changed remotely. In particular, a single module can be added to or deleted from the configuration by remotely switching from conducting paths that provide end-around electrical paths to conducting paths that provide pass-through electrical paths. The assembly includes two backplanes, a first set of module connectors for electrically connecting modules to one of the backplanes, and a second set of module connectors for electrically connecting modules to the other backplane. The assembly further includes configuration controllers. Each configuration controller selects between end-around electrical paths that electrically connect multiple module connectors of the first set to each other, and pass-through electrical paths that electrically connect module connectors of the first set to module connectors of the second set.

Abstract: The data network disclosed herein utilizes low duty cycle pulsed radio frequency energy to effect bidirectional wireless data communication between a server microcomputer unit and a plurality of peripheral units located within short range of the server unit, e.g. within 20 meters. By establishing a tightly synchronized common time base between the units and by the use of sparse codes, timed in relation to the common time base, low power consumption and avoidance of interference between nearby similar systems is obtained.

Abstract: In the data packet router disclosed herein, a matrix of crosspoint switch elements connects data sources to selected destinations during each of a succession of intervals. Allocation of switch elements to desired connections is accomplished by a process which provides a data array having a number of data elements corresponding to the number of switch elements. During each interval, a source is assigned to each of the data elements in accordance with a first current pseudo-random shuffle pattern and a respective destination is assigned to each of the data elements in accordance with a second current pseudo-random shuffle pattern. A new set of shuffle patterns is generated during each interval. An incremental testing is performed across the data array to locate matches not previously allocated and each match found is successively allocated to this switch element corresponding to the data element.

Abstract: The data network disclosed herein utilizes low duty cycle pulsed radio frequency energy to effect bidirectional wireless data communication between a server microcomputer unit and a plurality of peripheral units, each of which is intended to be carried on the person of the microcomputer user. By establishing a tightly synchronized common time base between the units and by the use of sparse codes, timed in relation to the common time base, low power consumption and avoidance of interference between nearby similar systems is obtained.

Abstract: In parallel processing computational apparatus, a switching network employing both routing switch elements and concentrator elements efficiently couples bit serial messages from a multiplicity of processors to a multiplicity of memory modules. The apparatus operates in a highly synchronous mode in which all processors issue memory requests only at essentially the same predetermined time within a frame interval encompassing a predetermined substantial number of clock periods. The routing switch elements and concentrator elements incorporate circuitry for comparing the addresses of requests which may be blocked at any element with requests which get through and, if the addresses are the same, returning the memory response to all processors seeking the same memory location.

Abstract: An electrographic input system comprises a set of a first plurality of electrical conductors and a second plurality of electrical conductors arranged so as to form a coordinate system. The conductors of the first plurality are sequentially energized at a fast scan rate so as to provide a high intensity electric field in proximity to each energized conductor. A moveable probe is provided for sensing the electric field provided by each of the first plurality so as to provide a first signal responsively thereto. A selected number of the first plurality of conductors is energized at a slow scan rate so as to provide a plurality of second signals, each representative of the electrical field intensity strength between the probe and each of the selected number of conductors energized during the slow scan. Means are provided for determining the centroid of the second signals and for generating a third signal in response thereto.