Burroughs, Inc.

Scientific Computer Systems Corporation

Andrew E Phelps

Hanan Potash

Erick M Cook

Burton L Levin

William B Thompson

Jennifer S Schuh

Allen Ta-Ming Wu

Mark A Haakmeester

In a computer which superpositions vector and scalar operations and in which operation results and operands are conducted between buffer registers and functional units on a bidirectional databus system, the result of one or more currently-executing scalar operations can be routed directly to the input of one or more functional units, bypassing the buffer registers and saving computer operational time. A scalar result is routed through a linking apparatus which directly connects a bidirectional databus path on which the scalar result is being conducted to a databus path on which a scalar operand is to be conducted. The routing is conditioned upon identity between the scalar result and operand and upon availability of a databus path to support the scalar operation. If the conditions are not met, the scalar result is conducted to the buffer registers, where it is held until needed or until a databus path is available.

Linking scalar results directly to scalar operation inputs on a

A bi-directional databusing system is used in a computer that superposes vector and scalar operations. The computer consists of a main memory, a plurality of pipelined functional units, and a buffer for staging scalar and vector data objects between the main memory and the functional units. The busing system supports two-way data transfer during each of a succession of bus transfer cycles in which data is transferred to the buffer during one phase of a cycle, and from the buffer during a second cycle phase. The busing system includes three sets of bi-directional memory databuses, one for transferring scalar data objects between the main memory and buffer unit, and the other two for transferring vector data objects between the main memory and the buffer. The bus system also includes a set of bi-directional function buses, each for transferring scalar and vector data objects between the buffer and the functional units, with the ratio of the number of data objects transferred to the functional units during a transfer cycle to the number of data objects transferred to the buffer during the same cycle corresponding to a predetermined parametric value.

Bi-directional databus system for supporting superposition of vector and

An apparatus is disclosed that translates virtual memory addresses into physical memory addresses. In particular, this apparatus comprises a plurality of rows of content addressable memory cells, a corresponding plurality of random access memory cells and another corresponding plurality of control circuits. The content addressable memory cells store the virtual memory addresses and the random access memory cells store the physical memory addresses. The control circuits are coupled to both the content addressable and the random access memory cells and are disposed for controlling the operation of the apparatus.

Address translation buffer

A new and improved content addressable memory cell is disclosed, which cell stores data supplied on a load data input terminal thereof. The disclosed memory cell is adapted for comparing data supplied on a compare data input terminal thereof with data stored in the cell, and for supplying an output signal on a match data output terminal when the compare data is the same as the data stored in the cell. A latch circuit is employed as the storage element of the cell. First and second means are each coupled between a reference potential and the match data output terminal, which means are operative in response to the state of the latch circuit and the compare data supplied on the compare data input terminal.

Content addressable memory cell with shift capability

A new and improved shifter circuit for multiplexing bytes of data into various orders on a finite size bus is disclosed. The improved shifter circuit includes an array of barrel shifter circuits arranged into N groups of M shifter circuits per group wherein each shifter circuit has P data input terminals and P output terminals. The letters N, M and P represent integers. Each of the P output terminals of each of the M shifter circuits in a group are coupled to one another, respectively, so as to form N.times.P output terminals of the array.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Andrew E Phelps