Abstract: A data processing system is disclosed in which a plurality of central processing units have access to all the system resources, i.e., have a peer relationship. During initialization of the data processing system, all the system resources are allocated to the individual central processing units according to a preselected distribution procedure, the identification of available resources thereafter being stored in the files of the individual central processing units. During the operation of the data processing system, the resources can be reallocated by a predetermined procedure. The central processing units entering such a relationship are required to include apparatus and/or software procedures that prevent access to system resources not assigned thereto. A mail box procedure, using locations in the main memory unit permit communication between the central processing units and are used in the dynamic allocation of resources.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a central processor unit (CPU), a main memory and a memory management unit (MMU). Information is stored in main memory in segments, each segment being identified by a segment descriptor stored in a translation table in the MMU. Logical addresses from the CPU address segment descriptors in the MMU's translation table. These segment descriptors include the physical address of the location in main memory of the first word of the segment. If the segment descriptor is not in the translation table location, then the MMU operation is suspended while the segment descriptor is demand fetched from main memory.

Abstract: Processor apparatus is described for performing binary and decimal arithmetic operations. In performing decimal multiplication with the processor apparatus, to reduce the amount of processing to be done with the apparatus and thereby speed up the performance of the decimal multiplication, the leading zeroes prefixing the highest order significant digit in both a multiplier and a multiplicand are identified, counted and removed. Decimal multiplication is then performed using the stripped multiplier and multiplicand, and to the resultant partial product a number of zeroes are prefixed equal to the number of zeroes originally stripped from the multiplier and multiplicand. The result is the product of the original multiplier and multiplicand.

Abstract: What is disclosed is apparatus making up an arithmetic logic unit and utilizing a programmable read-only memory (PROM) to perform arithmetic functions for an associated processor. The PROM is used as a look-up table for computation results. Operands used to perform a mathematical computation make up an address to the PROM which is used to read out the computation result stored therein. Also stored in the PROM as part of each computation result are information bits indicating if the computation result is a valid answer. These bits are also read out and stored in flip-flops to indicate to the processor if the computation result is valid or invalid.

Abstract: A data processing system having a central processing unit (CPU) capable of performing binary and decimal arithmetic software instructions is described. The CPU includes a microprocessor which executes the binary arithmetic software instructions under firmware control. Also disclosed is an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) that functions with the CPU. The ALU has operand inputs to which are connected switched steering circuits that permit particular operands and zero operands to be selectively applied to any or all of the ALU operand inputs. This allows easy performance of special arithmetic functions such as adding a decimal operand to itself when converting the decimal operand to a binary operand, and to subtract a decimal operand from zero when complementing decimal operands.

Abstract: A data processing system which includes a central processing unit coupled over a common bus with a plurality of input/output controllers (IOCs) and main memory includes apparatus which allows an IOC to signal the CPU to wait and retry the current I/O instruction. Other apparatus is provided which enables the CPU to continually retry the I/O instruction until the IOC accepts or rejects the I/O instruction and which further allows the CPU to suspend the retrying of the I/O instruction and to process interrupt requests and data transfer requests from any one of the plurality of IOCs. After processing the interrupt or data transfer request, system control is returned to retrying the I/O instruction.

Abstract: In a data processing system which includes one or more common buses to which a plurality of input/output controllers are connected for the transfer of data, blocks of data may be transferred between main memory and an input/output controller (IOC) synchronously with operation of the central processor unit (CPU). Logic is provided for enabling one unit of data to be transferred during a Data Multiplex Control (DMC) data transfer operation in which the requesting IOC requests a DMC data transfer of the CPU and later provides the CPU with a channel number assigned to the requesting IOC. In order to allow a data entry operator inputting data via a peripheral device connected to an IOC the ability to correct errors, a backspace character is provided so that the operator can enter it to indicate to the system to ignore the preceding character.

Abstract: In a data processing system which includes a central processing unit (CPU), main memory and a plurality of input/output controllers (IOCs) connected to a common bus information can be transferred between the main memory and CPU and main memory and the IOCs. Logic is provided within the CPU to align a byte of data on the data lines of the common bus such that it can be taken from the data lines by the main memory and written into a multi byte word without further alignment. Logic is provided within the CPU to extract from a multi byte word of data read from main memory and appearing on the common bus data lines the appropriate byte of data and to align it on the common bus data lines such that an IOC may pass the data byte to a peripheral device without further alignment.

Abstract: In a data processing system which includes one or more common buses to which a plurality of input/output controllers are connected for the transfer of information, blocks of information may be transferred between main memory and an input/output controller (IOC) synchronously with operations of the central processor unit (CPU). Logic is provided for enabling one unit of the block of information to be transferred during a Data Multiplex Control (DMC) data transfer operation in which the requesting IOC requests a DMC data transfer of the CPU and provides the CPU with a channel number assigned to the requesting IOC. Means are provided within the CPU for determining: the direction of the data transfer, the address of the location of the unit of data to be transferred to/from the main memory, and the number of units of data remaining to be transferred between the main memory and the IOC.

Abstract: In a data processing system which includes one or more common buses to which a plurality of input/output controllers are connected for the transfer of data, blocks of data may be transferred between main memory and an input/output controller (IOC) synchronously with operation of the central processing unit (CPU). Logic is provided for enabling one unit of data to be transferred during a Direct Memory Access (DMA) data transfer operation in which the requesting IOC requests a DMA data transfer of the CPU. Means are provided within the system for: resolving conflicting requests for the one or more common buses, the CPU to acknowledge the DMA request, the IOC to transfer the address of the location where the unit of data is to be written into main memory followed by the unit of data, or the IOC to transfer the address of the location in main memory from which the unit of data is to be read and then receive the unit of data read from main memory.

Abstract: In a data processing system which includes one or more common buses to which a plurality of input/output controllers are connected for the transfer of data, blocks of data may be transferred between main memory and an input/output controller (IOC) synchronously with operation of the central processor unit (CPU). Logic is provided for enabling one unit of data to be transferred during a Data Multiplex Control (DMC) data transfer operation in which the requesting IOC requests a DMC data transfer of the CPU and later provides the CPU with a channel number assigned to the requesting IOC. Means are provided within the system for: resolvng conflicting requests for the one or more common buses, the CPU to acknowledge the DMC request, identifying the requesting IOC to the CPU, accessing one unit of data from main memory or the IOC, and transferring the unit of data to the IOC or main memory.