Memory-programmable controller
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorDieter Wollscheid
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A memory programmable controller of the multiprocessor type having both word and bit processors is disclosed. The controller has a data memory in which process images of the process being controlled are stored and a user program memory in which a control program is stored. In order to increase the rate at which commands are executed by the controller, means are employed by which the bit processor fetches commands from the user program memory at the same time that it is executing a prior command. Accordingly, two sequential commands are respectively executed and fetched simultaneously, thereby increasing the speed of the controller. Separate bus systems dedicated to the bit processor which enable the bit processor to access the user program memory and the data memory are employed.
Claims4
In a memory-programmable controller of the type having a cyclically traversed user control program for controlling a peripheral process, including a word processor for processing operating system and word commands, a word processor bus coupled to the word processor, a bit processor for processing binary interlinking commands, a user program memory wherein the control program including the word and interlinking commands is stored, an operating system memory wherein an operating system program including the operating system commands is stored and a data memory wherein binary process images of the process are stored, the improvement comprising the bit processor being coupled to the word processor bus and including:
- means for executing a first binary interlinking command from the user program memory;
- first bus means;
- means coupled to said first bus means for fetching from the user program memory a next binary interlinking or word command via said first bus means;
- second bus means;
- data processing means coupled to said second bus means and to said means for executing;
- said second bus means allowing said data processing means to access data from said data memory when said first command is being executed;
- and
- means coupled to said means for fetching for assembling said next command and for transferring the next command to said means for executing if said next command is a binary interlinking command, thereby allowing said means for executing to process data from said data memory in accordance with said next command immediately after the first command is executed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.