UNIVERSAL COUPLING MEANS

摘要

The invention relates to a universal coupling means for linking processing systems incorporating at least computers or processors with at least one peripheral unit. Each processing system comprises at least one processor and an exchange bus for exchanging information with the peripheral unit. Coupling means comprise bus controllers connected respectively to the exchange buses and to a local bus, itself connected to the peripheral unit by means for controlling exchanges of data and for processing control and state information. The bus controllers are able to manage the access protocols to the exchange buses, the information exchanges on the exchange buses and on the local bus, as well as any request made by a processor for access to the local bus. The control means comprise a microprocessor for managing the priorities of the access requests of the processors and the processing of controls and states contained in the information exchanged on the local bus. Selection means are connected to the bus controllers and controlled by the management microprocessor for selecting, as a function of the priorities, the controller able to ensure a data exchange on the local bus. An input and output buffer register is connected to the local bus and to the peripheral unit for receiving the data to be transmitted to the peripheral unit or for receiving the data to be transmitted to one of the processors.