| 摘要 |
<p>A multi-protocol communications adapter (MPCA) used to interconnect a Local Area Network to a communications highway including a plurality of protocol controllers (20, 22, 24), each one of the controllers being operable for converting a data stream into a predetermined format and a configuration logic circuit (18) for selecting one of the protocol controllers, a controlled interface (26, 28, 30) being provided for gating the selected controller onto the communications highway. The MPCA is packaged as a card or module, and it is coupled to a primary computer that controls the Local Area Network. The primary computer may effectuate a protocol change by changing the contents of the configuration register. Thus, the MPCA can be used with a pre-existing primary computer without significantly changing the architecture and/or programming of said computer. </p> |
