DE1259125B - Transfer arrangement for carrying out block transfers of words in an electronic digital computer - Google Patents

Description

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

GERMAN

PATENT OFFICE

EDITORIAL

Int. CI .:

G06f

German class: 42 m3 - 13/04

Number: 1 259 125

File number: S 70004 IX c / 42 m3

Filing date: August 19, 1960

Opening day: January 18, 1968

The invention relates to an arrangement for performing block transfers of words from a magnetic tape to a magnetic drum and vice versa in an electronic digital computing device.

As is known, magnetic drum memories are preferred as the main memory of electronic computing devices is used because, due to their cyclical operation, they are precisely synchronized with the allow other parts of the computing device. Usually the cycle time of the magnetic drum storage determines even the clock of the computing device. The magnetic drum storage contains a number of Tracks, each of which is assigned a magnetic head, and by selecting a magnetic head, a certain part of the stored information is made accessible (local address). On each Drum track, in turn, contains many memory cells, which are sequentially in front of the magnetic head pass. Each of these storage cells is therefore accurate due to the angular position of the magnetic drum defined, and the content of a specific memory cell can be obtained by using the in information that passes in front of the magnetic head at a certain point in time is output (time address). The time addresses of the memory cells of all magnetic tracks are identical to one another and will be for example defined by a special clock track recorded on the drum. The same clock track also controls the operation of the arithmetic unit and the other parts of the arithmetic unit, whereby the Perfect synchronization with the input and output of information from the memory is guaranteed is.

However, the capacity of magnetic drum storage is limited by its design and for many Computer programs not sufficient. It is therefore often necessary during the execution of computer programs to bring new information into the magnetic drum memory and the previous To save content that is temporarily not needed elsewhere.

In contrast, the capacity of magnetic tape storage is practically unlimited. Magnetic tapes However, they cannot be used directly as the main memory of electronic computing devices, because a cyclic operation is not possible with it, so that the input and output of information cannot be synchronized directly with the operation of the computing device. Furthermore, the access time, depending on the location of the desired information on the tape, be very big. Magnetic tapes are therefore practically exclusively used as external

Transfer arrangement for the implementation of
Block transfers of words at one
electronic digital calculator

Applicant:

S. E. A. Societe d'ßlectronique et d'Automatisme, Courbevoie, Seine (France)

Representative:

Dipl.-Ing. E. Prince and Dr. G. Hauser,

Patent attorneys,

8000 Munich 60, Ernsbergerstr. 19th

Claimed priority:

France of August 21, 1959 (803 360)

Memory used in electronic computing devices.

However, it is already known that magnetic tapes and magnetic drums are used together in one electronic unit To use computing device so that the magnetic drum represents the main memory and its content is changed if necessary by block transfers of words to and from the magnetic tape. These Block transfers are controlled by the program and allow the storage capacity can be increased considerably without the computation speed being significantly impaired. By Program control can namely the information blocks to be transferred on the magnetic tape must be visited beforehand, so that they are immediately available at the time the transmission is triggered stand.

Usually, each block of information to be transmitted is continuously recorded on the magnetic field, and it should be in a contiguous section of the magnetic drum, for example a Drum track. However, it is not possible to use the outputs of the magnetic tape storage to be connected directly to the inputs of the magnetic drum storage. While the digits of the words on the drum tracks are recorded in a pure series representation, they are on the Magnetic tape is usually divided into several groups of digits, with the digits of each group of digits in parallel are scanned. Furthermore, since it is not possible to precisely scan the magnetic tape with the Synchronize the operation of the magnetic drum,

709 719/211

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could not put the words in the order of their ordinal numbers in such a direct transmission Ensure that the individual words of the are taken so that they can be returned to the original transferred information blocks are recorded in the exact order on the tape, desired memory locations can be written. Since every word after being removed from the tape

Corresponding problems naturally also arise when the drum memory is entered immediately when transferring in the reverse direction, except for one register, the capacity of one word the drum to the tape. no buffer storage required. The transfer

In the previously known transmission arrangement, the full working speed of the A buffer store with magnetic tape storage was therefore always required for this type of storage. The the capacity of an information block between the internal clock of the computing device is not taken into account Magnetic tape storage and the magnetic drum, in particular, each word can consist of multiple storage intended. This buffer memory can be combined with ren successive groups of digits Transfer from the belt to the drum in can be added, which are placed one after the other on the belt Clock are filled and then its are drawn and each for itself parallel content be read synchronously 15 in a further block transfer.

with the expiry of the drum store to this from- An embodiment of the invention is in the

give. When transferred from the drum to the drawing shown, the only figure of which is a block tape the information block with a full circuit diagram is implemented according to the invention output speed entered into the buffer memory.

ben, from which it can then be transferred as required 20 In the exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that is accessed on the magnetic tape. that with each transmission a block of 32 words

Such a buffer memory enables each word to be transmitted from four digits Utilization of the speed and capacity groups of the magnetic tape recording consists and of the magnetic drum memory, but requires that each group of digits has six valid digits as well considerable effort. It must be designed so that 25 a synchronization digit and a parity check digit it is on the one hand synchronous with full speed. Each track on the drum can contain 128 words of the magnetic drum memory are operated with 30 digits each. To every Zahkann and on the other hand in any irregular! encode one coming from the magnetic tape Clock cooperating with the magnetic tape memory word can therefore be an internal address code of ten can. These conditions can only be used with a grain of five digits, i.e. with any value between 0 and 31 placed and expensive memories, for example, as a digit as a space Magnetic core memories are met. left blank between the words on the drum

The aim of the invention is to create a must.

Transfer arrangement of the initially specified In the drawing, the magnetic drum 1 is shown

Type in which the hitherto customary buffer memory 35 is provided, which has a time track that lasts from can be omitted. a head 2 is scanned, as well as a certain

According to the invention, this is achieved by adding a number of further tracks that are generated by means of heads 3 that in the transmission path from the tape to the drum described and medium heads 4 and 5 scanned mel a first counter is included, which can be passed on to anyone. This is done under the usual carried information word to an ordinal number 40 Control of the selector circuits, which the heads adds that together with the information word in the to carry out an address of the magnetic track excite transfer instructions containing the first available storage space of the drum; these is written, and its content after each over- circuits are indicated by the block 6, transmission of a word is increased by one unit, at 7 a magnetic tape scanner is connected to the tape

and that in the transmission path from the drum 45 thrust control 8 and the start-stop arrangement 9 a second counter is included to the tape, which represents one. A flip-flop 10 controls the start comparison device controls so that the comparison stop arrangement 9. The flip-flop 10 is of set up the ordinal number that the counter reading is controlled from input 11. If on this one indicates, with the ordinal numbers of a signal recorded on the drum during the decryption of a reading Compare words, if they match, 50 command for the magnetic tape by the usual (not mung the information transport of the word from the illustrated) command decryption arrangements The drum is caused to the tape and then the second of the computing device arrives, the toggle switch Counter advances by one unit to bring the over 10 into a state in which the scan entry of the next word is set in motion with the following order direction. To stop the to initiate number. 55 scanner is a reset signal for the

The carried out according to the invention transmission flip-flop circuit 10 is required. It will be explained later arrangement results in the effect that for the block where this signal comes from in a according to the invention Transfers between the belt and the drum is delivered arrangement carried out, the normal memory addresses and the synchronous The read heads for the magnetic tape, of which for

Operation of the magnetic drum is disregarded 60 every digit is a group of digits the. The transmission of the words from the tape to are connected to separate amplifiers 12. Of the Drum takes place in the cycle in which the Wör output of the only amplifier 12, which the Synter released from the magnetic tape. The words chronisierziffer of the group of digits on which arise then although randomly fed on the corresponding speaking track of the tape, controls Drum track, but you can use 65 a number group counter 15; this is a stepped one consecutive ordinal numbers easily id switch with four positions, which is verified by the excitation and removed as required. To return the signal to the magnetic tape scanner to zero from the drum to the belt. This step switch controls branching

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transmission arrangements 13, the taps of the information digits are arranged, such as digits from the first group of digits to a first memory cell are available at the registers 19 and 20, a register 14, then when scanning the The taps of the line and the digit outputs to the second group of digits to the digits a second are directed in pairs with a corresponding number of cells, etc., until finally the four digit coincidence circuits are connected, the outputs of which groups, which, according to the assumption made previously, are jointly connected to the line 23, form the complete word in the register 14 This gives the desired effect,
stands. The branching arrangements 13 consist of the gate circuit 29 receives at input 30 four groups of six gate circuits each, whereby in a write current, which comes from a toggle switch 31 in each position of the step switch 15, only one io is generated by the signal supplied at 11 for a single group is opened, but the digits - the duration of 128 small cycles is energized. This signal of all digits read from the magnetic tape follows through a counter 32, which at 33 receives the pulse groups of the inputs of all four groups of gate pulses of the small cycles and the toggle switch circuits are fed in parallel. device 31 resets to zero when it has 128 units when the step switch 15 has counted four groups of digits 15. The transmitted over the line 32 has counted, it supplies a signal which indicates that a digit signals open the gate circuit 29 depending on the complete word entered in the register 14 from the digit value, whereby the on has been drawn. This signal then opens gates tion of the digits on the magnetic drum each time 18, which causes the contents of register 14 to be transferred to another register 19 when the circuit 24 is energized. At the same time, the signal supplied by 20 and the content of registers 19, 20, 21 read to step switch 15 increases the content. The flip-flop 24 is at the end of the small binary counter 17 by one unit. This counter cycle by one fed to the input 26 thus counts the words deleted in the course of a block over clock pulse. The deletion of the register 19. Each and 20 supplied by the step switch 15 is not shown. The flip-flops contained in these registers pulse, by which the binary counter 17 is actuated, 25 can either be deleted by simultaneously entering the content of this counter into a register 20 coming from the flip-flop circuit 24, the control pulse assigned to the register 19, or cleared Impulse that is. Thus, at the same time as the word is introduced into the register 19, the binary-expressed ordinal delay line 22 is branched off in order to read its contents tes, the number of this word in the order of 30, for example by additional taps, which in the From the block transfer onwards, 32 words are within the remainder of a pulse period and register 20 is specified. Furthermore, the output signal is slightly shifted in relation to the pulses occurring when the registers 19 and 20 of the step switch 15 are read in one of the registers 19 and.

The memory cell 21 assigned to 20 is stored, where each word is composed in this way by indicating that a word is written in this register and then written on the drum. Every star is present. The status of cell 21 (the counter 17 advances the word by one step, practically consisting of a flip-flop circuit, as well as that its content increases by one unit. For each digit storage element of registers 19 and 20) 32nd word is supplied by the counter a reset pulse for opens a gate circuit 27, which at its input 25, the flip-flop circuit 10, whereby the block transfer from the clock control arrangements of the computing 40 is ended. Since the device arriving at input 11 receives the impulses which do not necessarily mark the beginning of the impulse with the beginning of a small cycle. So when the cell 21 of the major cycle coincides, the words are on the agitated, which means that a word in the Regi drum track is in an arbitrary position relative to the ster 19 and the ordinal number of this word in the one by the time track on the In the example described, approximately one input 25 is passed through the gate circuit 27 and one word is actuated on four word cells of the drum track Toggle circuit 24, which records a gate scarf, whereby a loss of recording device 29 opens, which results in the space for that write head 3. This ratio of the usable times drum leads, which has been selected by the magnetic memory locations 50 and cells to the unused times and time address of the command when it is executed, obviously changes depending on the type of calculation selected. The same command has of course device. In the example described, the activation of the flip-flop circuit 10 is lost because the speed of the drum is so high that the magnetic tape scanning device is started up so that approximately four small cycles for the formation of the command decoder excited by it take a word from the read from the magnetic tape acts. The gate circuit 29 receives serially the numbers in the register 19 of the drum via the Lei groups of digits and for recording the word on device 23. In any case, the standing words and the number in register 20 is the serial converter 22 recorded during a block transfer of the ordinal number of this word via a parallel magnetic tape to the magnetic drum memory, which is then for example less than the number of small words drawn by the 60 words -Coincidence of the state of the toggle switch 21 and cycles for a complete drum revolution,
a signal supplied by the flip-flop 24 when it is actuated for a block transfer in the reverse direction and in an arrangement 28 around an impulse from the drum 1 to a magnetic tape has been excited in a pulse-period delayed signal. the circuit diagram of a second magnetic tape arrangement

21 back to zero. The parallel-serial converter is a start-stop arrangement 49, which stands from a tilting shell from a delay line on which device 50 is controlled along. This is for so many from each other at a distance of one pulse period there is a better ratio of the representation, since natural

borrowed the arrangement 47, 48, 49 the previously described was present and on the other hand the sequence of digits of the Arrangement 7, 8, 9, because a magnetic tape ordinal number is identical to that of the counter 42 device can be designed so that it is both as a displayed sequence of digits.

Playback device as well as recording device At the beginning of the transmission, the counter 42 shows

can be used. 5 shows the value zero. It is only switched on if

In this block transfer, the words must be the word with the ordinal number zero from the the magnetic head 5 recorded on the drum track, for example, is read on the drum track, are whose magnetic head S through the magnetic memory. Only at this moment does the gate circuit 40 deliver Local address of a command has been selected to a pulse that the counter 42 in the position one the magnetic tape is transferred in the order. However, while the preceding digits, which only got into register 53 due to their ordinal numbers in the relevant sequence are unlocked the phrase is given. Simultaneously with the described output pulse of the gate circuit 40 In the same example, these ordinal numbers go from 0 to a counter 44 with four positions, which since the An-31, since they run during the recording of the counter 17 of the arrangement from the input 45 clock pulses can be supplied with 32 positions. 15 for recording the characters on the magnetic

Receives the command to perform a Ubertra- band. When this counter is unlocked, The transfer from the drum to the magnetic tape causes on it controls the successive transfer of Input 51 the supply of a control signal for four groups of digits present in the arrangement 53 Flip-flop 50, and this signal is the same as the one after the other on the magnetic tape a counter 42 with 32 positions to zero 20 are to be drawn. For this purpose, transfer returns are required. The signal is then provided in a delay circuit 54, which is triggered by the state arrangement 46 enlarged by the time that the counter 44 is actuated, as well as circuits 55 Magnetic tape recorder for starting up the output for magnetic recording required, and it actuates a flip-flop 35, the required currents, which then arise through the counter Gate circuit 34 opens, which is excited at the 25. Those selected in parallel from the arrangement 55 Magnetic head 5 connected to the drum signal groups are by means of just as many is. The digits recorded on the drum track, write heads 52, appear on the magnetic tape in the array one after the other recorded at the exit of the gate 47. The circuits that make it interconnected 34. These digits will also allow a serial when recording each Zif-to-parallel converter register 53 brought with 24 digits, 30 remote group on the magnetic tape a synchronization with it The 24 valid digits of the digit and a parity check digit must be added to this register word coming from the drum track past - not shown, but known per se, be held while walking. The process continues until the counter 42

A word's essence is counted towards a flip-flop 32 words that are actually counted by the drum circuit 38 brought in each small cycle 35 rnel to the magnetic tape in the order transferred a clock pulse of the gene supplied at 39, which is indicated by its ordinal numbers to the computing device is given in the seventh pulse period of the. Then the counter delivers 42 at the output Small cycle is reset to zero. However, 43 is allowed a reset pulse for the flip-flops 35 the flip-flop 38 will only be energized if and 50, thereby terminating the transmission. Of the the command corresponding to the presence of a word is thus in the arrangement and The digit in the first pulse period in the was executed correctly by the in the calculating device. Drum-read sequence of digits is present. It is still to be specified how the so on the drum

Therefore, data recorded between the output of the gate circuit is in the computing device itself 34 and the excitation input of the flip-flop 38 can be evaluated, as they are advantageous Circuit 36 inserted, which the coincidence 45 can be removed from the drum between which can identify the presence of a word or how the corresponding calculation results Digit and one in the first pulse can be entered into the drum, period of the small cycle at 37 supplied clock im- whereby the call or the input on the basis of the pulse detects. Ordinal number take place.

During this time, those of the gate circuit 50 are in the decryption of a command, the escaping Digits of the ordinal number of the word would take one of the previously described methods Clock pulses are selected and a comparative word means recorded on the drum 41 has been supplied, the other entry of which, the ordinal number of this word is used as the address The sequence of digits supplied by the counter 42 is entered into a register 60 via input 61, receives. As long as there is no coincidence of the sequence of digits 55 This sequence of digits comes from the usual command gene in the comparison device 41, register of the arithmetic unit. Remains through the magnetic memory a gate circuit 40 blocked. This gate scarf location address of the command is a magnetic head 4 equipment 40 receives from the flip-flop 38 a has been selected, and the ent signal on the assigned track, that indicates whether the the presence of a held information therefore go in sequence Word identifying digit in the from the drum 60 into the reading circuit 56. An output of this circuit read sequence of digits was present or missing. 56 is connected to an input of a comparator 59 The output of the gate circuit 40 is connected to an input for the ordinal number; the other entrance output of the counter 42 is connected, which one of these arrangements is connected to the register 60-progression effected by one unit. This counter sen. The ordinal number is separated in therefore only advances by one unit if 65 is the usual way by synchronizing or clocking double condition is fulfilled that in the of the pulse of the computing device. The rest of the word will Coming drum sequence of digits on the one hand which is passed to a gate circuit 57 so that it is in a Presence of a word identifying digit register 58 is stored. The gate circuit 57

however, it is only opened when the coincidence of the ordinal numbers is determined in the comparison device 59, whereby this ordinal number is determined corresponding word is selected on the drum track. For this purpose the output is actuated the comparison device 59 has a flip-flop circuit 62 which opens the gate circuit 57. These Flip-flop is of course activated by a pulse applied at 63 during each small cycle Reset to zero. Simultaneously with the gate circuit 57, the flip-flop circuit 62 opens a gate circuit 64 which continuously receives the signal output by the magnetic head 2 of the time track. This will set the time address of the memory cell in which the selected word is located is entered into a register 65. That in the register 58 transferred word can then be used in an arithmetic unit via the output 66 of this register (in the usual way and due to the usual, not shown control of such Calculating device), and the result of the calculation will be on the drum track depending on the Recorded time address which has been stored in register 65 (and which has no erasure effecting output 67 of this register could also be used in the invoice).

Claims (4)

Patent claims: 1. Transfer arrangement for performing block transfers of words from one Magnetic tape to a magnetic drum and vice versa in an electronic digital computing device, characterized in that in the transfer path from the tape to the drum includes a first counter (17) which each transmitted information word adds an ordinal number, which together with the information word in the first available memory location of the Drum is written, and its contents after each transfer of a word by one Unit is increased, and that in the transfer path from the drum to the belt a second Counter (42) is included which controls a comparison device (41), so that the comparison device (41) the ordinal number that the meter reading indicates with the ordinal numbers of the Drum compares recorded words, if they match the information transport of the Word from the drum to the belt and then the second counter (42) by one unit advances to the transmission of the next word with the following ordinal number cause. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that in the transmission path from Tape to the drum contains two registers (14, 19, 20) of which the first register (14) has the capacity of one word, whereas the capacity of the second register (19, 20) of the sum of a word and the capacity of the first counter (17) corresponds to the fact that a first control circuit (15) is provided which has a simultaneous Transferring the contents of the first register (14) and the first counter (17) to the second register (19, 20) triggers every time a full word from the tape is in the first register (14) has been introduced, and the content of the first counter (17) is increased by one unit, and that a second control circuit (24, 25, 27, 28, 29) is provided, which then transfers the content of the second register (19, 20) to the drum. 3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the first control circuit has a third counter (15) which contains the groups of digits transferred from the tape to the first register (14) counts and the transmission triggers when the number of these groups of digits is a complete Word corresponds. 4. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the second counter (42) is a Register (53) is assigned, in which the digits read from the drum in sequence Words are introduced, and that one of the comparison device (41) controlled Circuit (44) is provided which enables the successive transmission of in the register (53) causes groups of digits contained in the tape. Considered publications:
Swiss Patent No. 336 624;
U.S. Patent No. 900 132. 1 sheet of drawings 709 719/211 1.68 © Bundesdruckerei Berlin