Bus-combatible programmable sequencers.

摘要

A single-chip microprogrammable sequencer (10) provides a bus (12) for connection of an external microprocessor. The sequencer includes a register file (40) which consists of a number of registers accessible to the microprocessor by which the microprocessor can monitor and control operation of the sequencer. The sequencer also includes a writeable control store (52) which is accessible to the microprocessor. Microinstructions may be written to the store by the microprocessor so that selected programs or program segments will be executed by the sequencer. A breakpoint register (104), included in the register file, is used in conjunction with a program counter portion of the sequencer providing a breakpoint facility for the microprocessor. Similarly, start, halt, reset and single-step operations may be performed by the sequencer under control of the microprocessor.