Patent GB-1167762-A (GB)
Title: Input-Output Data Service Computer
IPC: G06F13/12
Filed: 1966-10-19
Abstract: 1,167,762. Input-output computer. BURROUGHS CORP. 19 Oct., 1966 [26 Nov, 1965], No. 46813/66. Heading G4A. An input/output programmable computer is provided for use with a data communication system. Transfer of data between the main memory 55 of an electronic data processing system and input and output devices 45 (or just between the devices 45 themselves) is controlled by an input-output programmable computer comprising a processing unit 20 for constructing information transfer descriptors under programme control, local storage means 30 for storing programme address information relating to said main memory 55 and the information transfer descriptors, and a data service unit 40 coupled to said local storage means for decoding the information transfer descriptors and effecting the required transfers. The central processor 25 is thus relieved of the step-by-step control of input-output transfer operations to its memory 55 and is able to concentrate on performing highspeed calculations only. An arrangement is described for controlling 512 input-output channels. Whenever a transfer is required, a programme flag flip-flop is set and a job stack address storage register in processor 20 updated, transfers involving fast input-output devices joining the front of the queue, others being added to the end. This register, which stores the main memory address from which new jobs may be obtained, is constantly monitored by the I/O computer and the jobs dealt with in turn. The I/O computer, under control of programme instructions stored in main memory 55, constructs in local memory 30 for each transfer a descriptor word control indicating byte size, byte position, byte count, device status and main memory address. Local memory unit 30 also includes for each channel a state word containing main memory addressing information (including addresses of buffer areas allotted to the respective channels-each channel has two buffer areas in main memory 55 used alternately) and a buffer storage space. The computer can deal with variable size bytes (for example 1, 6 or 8 bit single-character bytes, 2, 3 or 4 character bytes or 1, 4 or 8 forty-eight-bitword bytes). Inward transfers of less than a word may be accumulated in local memory 30 in the buffer storage corresponding to the channel involved and assembled words later transferred to main memory. With large blocks of data smaller blocks may be transferred by way of the main memory buffers corresponding to the input channel to a disc file, the process being repeated as necessary, and the final assembled block then transferred to the specified main memory locations in one process. The processor 20 includes an arithmetic unit with provision for addition subtraction and comparison for constructing said descriptors. The I/O computer performs a parity check on the transferred data and informs the central processor 25 if the transfer is successful or otherwise. The I/O computer may be programmed to re-read/re-write data in which a parity error is detected. Means is provided for resolving conflict (in accessing memories 30 and 55) between the data service unit 40 and the I/O processing unit 20, unit 40 taking priority. The data processing system operates with variable length instructions of from one syllable (the operation code) to six syllables (comprising the operation code, address modifier, field descriptors-two syllables and main memory or local memory addressing-two syllables). The I/O devices may include printers, card and tape punches, display devices, character recognition devices, magnetic tapes, discs and drums and teleprinters. The data processing system, including the I/O computer, may be of modular design as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 (not shown) and may have multi-programming capability. The local memory 30 may comprise a thin film stack having one storage area for each channel.