Input/output section for an intelligent cell which provides sensing, bidirectional communications and control

In a network for sensing, communicating and controlling, a cell comprising:

• a plurality of first register means for storing digital signals;
• at least one arithmetic logic unit coupled to said first register means for receiving the contents of said register means as inputs to said logic unit;
• a memory coupled to the output of said logic unit, the output of said memory being coupled to said first register means, said memory including a random-access memory section and an electrically programmable memory section;
• each of said plurality of frist register means being associated with a different process carried out by said logic unit in conjuction with said memory, such that a plurality of different processes are carried out by said first register means, logic unit and memory;
• a plurality of input/output sections, each of said input/output sections including at least one lead for coupling each of said input/output sections for performing one of the functions of sensing, communicating and controlling, said input/output sections being coupled to said logic unit and said first register means by a bus;
• said input/output sections each being selected by signals on said bus, each of said input/output sections including a plurality of input/output registers which receive signals from said bus and which couple signals to said bus, said input/output registers receiving signals for controlling said input/output sections and communicating to said bus signals received over said leads;
• a semaphore register coupled to said bus for controlling shared resources within said cell shared by said processes, said shared resources including said electrically programmable memory section.