Richard H Stanton

US Patent:

52748227, Dec 28, 1993

Filed:

Jul 2, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/547352

Inventors:

Richard L. Stanton - Central SC
Kenneth J. Kotlowski - Greenville SC

Assignee:

NCR Corporation - Dayton OH

International Classification:

G06F 1314

US Classification:

395725

Abstract:

A fast centralized arbitrator for avoiding contention between up to eight processors or other smart devices having access to a shared computer facility. Each of the processors or smart devices is assigned a unique three digit octal formatted priority level. A first set of 1-of-8 decoders, AND gates and a prioritizer circuit are employed to determine the priority level of the highest priority device requesting access to the shared facility. A second set of 1-of-8 decoders, each having associated therewith a set of OR gates for combining the decoder outputs with the outputs of the prioritizer circuit and an AND gate for combining the outputs of the set of OR gates, are employed to generate a set of acknowledge signals for the smart devices.