Real time transparent serial/echoplex interface apparatus.

摘要

Interface apparatus (10) for allowing a first serial communicating device (12) to communicate with a second echoplex communicating device (14). A first microprocessor (20) coupled to the first device (12) converts serial data to a parallel format. The parallel formatted data is transferred to a second microprocessor (22) which is coupled to the second device (14). The second microprocessor (22) converts the parallel data from the first microprocessor (20) into echoplex data for transmission to the second device (14). When data is to be transferred from the second device (14) to the first device (12), the second microprocessor (22) converts the echoplex data to a parallel format. The parallel formatted data is transferred to the first microprocessor (20), for conversion into a serial form and transmission to the first device (12). If both the first (12) and second (14) devices wish to transmit at the same time, priority is awarded to the second (echoplex) device (14). The interface (10) operates asynchronously on real time basis, and is transparent.