Title: Dual microprocessor intelligent programmable process control system

Abstract: An intelligent programmable process control system for controlling industrial processing and manufacturing equipment and the like utilizes a unique system of cooperating multiple microprocessors. A multi-bit microprocessor is utilized for controlling the analog portion of the processing equipment, and a single-bit microprocessor is utilized for sequencing. The control processor has overall supervisory control. An arbitration circuit for resolving simultaneous or phased access to memory by the two microprocessors is provided. In addition, a circuit is provided for accomplishing parallel I/O, again accessible by both microprocessors. In one embodiment, means for linking arithmetic functions and non-arithmetic (logic) functions within a boolean-type instruction set is provided.

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Inventors: Bunyard, Michael L. (Lubbock, TX, US)
Burkett, Bobby G. (Richardson, TX, US)

Application Number: 936533
Filing Date: 1978-08-24
Publication_date: 1980-07-29
Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated (Dallas, TX)
Primary Class(es): 700/5
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3810104	May, 1974	Markley	364/104.
3959775	May, 1976	Valassis et al.	364/200.
4029950	Jun, 1977	Haga	364/104.
4034354	Jul, 1977	Simmons	364/104.
4058711	Nov, 1977	Ondercin et al.	364/101.
4064395	Dec, 1977	Schubeller et al.	364/107.
4118771	Oct, 1978	Pomella et al.	364/101.
4149235	Apr, 1979	Froyd et al.	364/107.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Ruggiero, Joseph F.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Hassell; Andrew M., Grossman; Rene' E., Sadacca; Stephen S.