Addressable buffer circuit with address incrementer independently clocked by host computer and external storage device controller

摘要

A direct buffer access circuit provides a buffer memory for use with a host central processing unit and a peripheral controller for controlling an external data storage device such as a disk or tape drive. The buffer is connected so that both the host and the controller have direct access to the buffer. The host can thus transfer data to the buffer at its own data rate independently of the transfer rate of the controller. The buffer may include either a random access memory which is addressed by a counter, or a first-in/first-out memory. The buffer is controlled by signals received from either the host or the controller.