Abstract:
Control initiating instruction SIGNAL PROCESSOR is used to transfer a select control initiating order designated by the instruction from an initiating unit which executes the instruction to a designated respondent unit which interprets the order. If the respondent unit detects an invalid order or other specific exception circumstance it immediately returns indications of specific exception status to the initiating unit. This status is retained in a register specified by the instruction. The entire transaction is completed during the ''''short'''' control sequence of execution of the instruction. Hence the participating units and their interconnections are subject to efficient pre-emptive interruption without further delays for ''''sense'''' communication of specific exception status. The identity of the respondent unit and an addend factor of the control initiating order are prepared for quick transfer in registers of the initiating unit designated by information in the instruction. The order representation is formed by adding a portion of the immediate instruction and the above addend factor. Optionally contents of another prepared register designated by the instruction information are subject to transfer with the order code as an ancillary output parameter. Another option permits the user to direct the instruction order to itself for diagnostic or other program usage.