Patent GB-1108809-A (GB)
Title: Data processing complexes
IPC: G06F15/177
Filed: 1966-05-23
Abstract: 1,108,809. Data-processing complexes. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. 23 May, 1966 [2 June, 1965], No. 22825/66. Heading G4A. In a data-processing complex, communication between elements (modules) is under the control of means individual to the elements and some elements can readjust said means to alter the pattern of possible communication. A plurality of each of the following types of modules is provided: (1) computing, (2) storage (core), (3) input/output control, (4) peripheral device adapter, for a tape store, communication terminal or printer. Two-way communication of data and control signals is possible between modules of types (3) and (4), (2) and (3), (1) and (2), (1) and (3), and (1) and (1). Any modules may request to communicate with any other, priority means (not described) resolving conflicting calls to a single module, but except in the case of communication from a (4) to a (3), the request will only succeed if a bit corresponding to the requestor module in a CCR (configuration control register) in the requested module is set to 1. An exception is made in the case (4) to (3) because of normal interlock controls provided (not described) and the use of such a CCR bit in the (3) to (4) case. In addition, the CCR in each module has a parity bit for every eight non-parity bits and has a further bit position respective to each computing module, to indicate whether the latter may supply a refill word for the CCR. Supply of a refill from a given computing module, is permitted only if two status bits in the destination CCR are suitably set and if, in addition, either the said further bit corresponding to the source computing module is 1, or if no one of the further bits is 1, or if there is a parity error in the refill word or the destination word (see below), the error being detected in the original computing module. Refill from any computing module is permitted in the last two cases. Any module, as a result of a check on parity, power supply (individual to the module), logic or work load, may issue an error signal to the computing modules in common, one of which will respond in response to a priority resolution and obtain from a storage module a table indicating the current CCR status bits in each module and a programme (the latter being repeated in more than one storage module for safety). In response to this table and programme it sends one or more refill CCR words (all the CCR's have the same format, with some bits unused) to all the modules in common, each refill word being accompanied by a destination word having a bit position for each module to specify which modules are to accept the refill word in the event that their CCR's permit (see above), and a parity bit for each eight non- parity bits. When a module accepts a refill word it sends a response signal which resets the corresponding bit of the destination word at its source in the originating computing module. Issuing of refill and destination words are preceded by parity checks thereon and tests of legality. Each module may be in one of five states, partially defined by the status bits of the CCR, viz. active, standby, standby with manual control, and two test states. The states differ in whether acceptance and issuing (computing modules) of refill words is possible therein and in other respects described. By programming convention, only modules in the same state can receive from each other. CCR's may be refilled from manual keys in one test state. It is mentioned that communication between input/output control modules, type (3) above, may be permitted.