摘要 |
A data processing system including processing elements (22) and a central memory (10) has an input/output system for handling high data transmission rates comprising an I/O processor (23) providing serial lines (31) to a plurality of peripheral subsystems (30) each of which comprises a peripheral adapter (40) and a plurality of peripheral devices (41), the peripheral adapter including a first means providing serial/parallel data conversion from the serial line (31), a second means providing control functions and information transfer to the peripheral devices, and third means for responding to the I/O processor in accordance with a message protocol. The message protocol involves interrogating an input signal indicating the end of a message from I/O processor (23), determining the message type, transmitting a response message and causing the peripheral adapter to enter an operating state which may involve further exchange of messages with the I/O processor. |