Abstract

A multiple computer digital processing system including several Local Buses positioned orthogonally to a Common Bus. Each Local Bus is connected to the Common Bus through a plugably connected Common Bus interface card to provide a transfer of information between Local Buses across the Common Bus. Computer cards, memory cards and other device cards may be plugably connected to the Local Bus to communicate with each other via the Local Buses and Common Bus. The number and types of cards connected and even the number of Local Buses connected to the Common Bus may be varied according to the requirements of each application. Additionally, the Common Bus includes a shared memory accessible by all devices and an InterComputer Interrupt circuit providing interrupts to the computer cards. Further the computer cards are plugably connectable to a Peripheral Bus to provide communications with peripheral devices located externally to the system. All cards connected to the Local Buses and Common Bus include monitor circuits connected through a Test Bus to a System Monitor that configures the system according to the cards connected and the application requirements, detects errors, monitors performance, and provides fault tolerant repair capability under operator supervision.

Other References

• "VME Bus Specification Manual", Revision A, Oct. 1981, Motorola
• IBM Synchronous Data Link Control General Information, Third Edition, 1979, IBM Corporation
• Katsuki et al., "Pluribus-An Operational Fault-Tolerant Multiprocessor," Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 66, No. 10, Oct. 1978, pp. 1146-1159