Patent GB-1168681-A (GB)
Title: Data Processing.
Inventor: CONNELL JOSEPH BERNARD
IPC: H04L7/00
Filed: 1967-01-02
Abstract: 1,168,681. Error detection apparatus in data processors. WESTERN ELECTRIC CO. Inc. 2 Jan., 1967 [3 Jan., 1966], No. 33/67. Heading G4A. Data processing apparatus comprises a pair of data processors 200-1, 200-2 simultaneously performing identical work functions on input data, each processor having a plurality of data sources MP1-1 to MP n -1 corresponding to a plurality of data sources MP1-2, MP n -2 in the other processor, a clock arrangement CLK-1, CLK-2 defining a synchronized periodic machine cycle for both processors and defining a plurality of data comparison cycles within each machine cycle, a data comparing arrangement in each processor, each comparing data received from corresponding data sources in both processor and generating signals indicating whether the compared signals are identical or not, and a pair of transmission buses and a gating arrangement controlled to transmit data over the transmission buses from the data sources to one comparing arrangement during one comparison cycle of the machine cycle, and to the other comparing arrangement during another comparison cycle of the same machine cycles. In operation words in registers EMPR, EMCR, IMPR, IMCR, MMCR, in units 1 and 2 specify the sources to be used in each unit, the comparison cycle during which the comparison operation is to be performed, which processor is in the active condition and which is standby, whether the processors are operating in parallel and data on the match operation. Assuming the registers are loaded, IMPR-1, specifies the data source in unit 2, e.g. MP1-2 for the first comparison. IMCR-1 and EMCR-2 specify which comparison cycle the operation is performed in. The instructions are supplied to a decoder MCD-1 which feeds circuit OCG-1 which is also supplied with clock signals. Each machine cycle is divided into 22 portions 0-22 and each cycle has four pulse signals aCb where a is the time at which the pulse commences and b is the time at which the pulse ceases. Cycle A has pulses 3C9, 3C5, 6C8, 10C12. At pulse 3C9 OCG1 enables gates 2804-1 to pass data to the bus IMB-1. At the same time OCG2 similarly gates data on to IMB-2. Pulse 3C5 causes OCG1 to reset registers IMR1, EMR1 and sets flip-flop MEI-1. OCG2 sets flip-flop MEE-2. Pulse 6C8 causes AND gates 2702-1 to pass data to register IMR-1 and puts a pulse on MAOUT-2 which enables gates 2802-2, 2713-1 to pass data to register EMR-1. The data in the two registers is compared by MAT-1 which produces a signal MATCH-1 if the data is identical and XMATCH-1 otherwise. The XMATCH-1 signal is decoded by MCD-1 and passed to OCG-1. At pulse 10C12 this causes flip-flops MEI-1 and MEE-2 to remain set. [If a MATCH-1 signal occurs the flip-flops are reset at 10C12. A similar process occurs in unit 2 during pulses 9C18, 9C11, 14C16, 18C20 causing MEI-2 and MEE-1 to remain set if the data disagree. During a third cycle a timing signal 20C0 enables gates 3708, 3709 in each unit causing flip-flops ME-1, ME-2 to be set if either of flip-flops MEE, MEI had remained set. The match error indications on flip-flops ME pass to circuits OCG to central control 101 to initiate appropriate maintenance actions. A third cycle C is described which operates in a similar manner to A and B with 19T3, 19T21, 0T2, 4C6 but completes its operation in the next machine cycle.