A microcomputer network for the control of digitising machines

Describes the features of a microcomputer network, including distributed computing architecture and packet switched method of communication. Also described in detail is a high speed packet switching controller used as a central node of the network. This controller is a multiprocessor microcomputer system with eighteen central processor units, thirty-four direct memory access channels and thirty-four prioritised and vectored interrupt channels. This microcomputer is of general interest as a communications controller because it is completely programmable. (3 refs)