Intel Corporation

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Siemens Ak.

Karl-Heinz Honeck

David B Johnson

Ronald J Ebersole

M Vittal Kini

Sven-Axel Nilsson

Manfred Neugebauer

Gerhard Bier

Walter Teutsch

Steven C Stacey

In a computer system having a configuration which is subject to change, because of failure replacement, updating, or expansion, it is necessary to provide means for loading parameters carrying the present system configuration into the active modules of the system. In this manner, all parallel processors are identified and recognized and depending upon system demands, used because of the parameter loading arrangement of this computer system. Serial lines are provided for loading the parameters into the active modules.

Arrangement for loading the parameters into active modules in a computer

In order for any failure of the power supply unit for two read-write memories which are operable in parallel, not to result in irreversible damage to data, two parallel power supply circuits are provided for the operation of the memories. Each power supply circuit is capable of supplying the operating current of one of the memories and the standby current of the remaining memory. Each of the power supply circuits in the power supply is buffered with capacitors in such a manner that, upon a fault in one of the power supply circuits, the output voltage, as soon as the capacitive buffer declines from a normal operating voltage to a threshold voltage and to a minimum operating voltage, data secure current reducing steps are taken. The capacitive circuits and threshold voltages are selected such that the period of time the voltage takes to decline from the threshold to the minimum operating voltage is longer than the time required to complete the present read-write operation and to save the relevant data into the memory. One of the memories is then put into standby mode by a monitoring device as the output voltage declines to the threshold voltage leaving only one active memory which can be operated from one of the two memory power supply circuits.

Circuit arrangement with a processor and at least two read-write memories

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Essingen, Germany

Karl-Heinz Honeck