FIRMWARE SUBROUTINE TECHNIQUE FOR DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

摘要

A data processing system having a control store storing firmware words for controlling the system, logic for executing logical operations on input data, including the performing of a first and second data processing routine, and apparatus for addressing the control store to access selected firmware words to control the execution of desired logical operations on the input data. The system operates in a particular mode of control to suspend the operation of the first routine in order to execute the second routine whereby the logical apparatus includes a register for saving a return address associated with the last instruction of the first routine. When the system terminates the second routine and restores the first routine to operation, the contents of the save register are employed, with the lowest order bit thereof inverted, to access the control store to fetch the firmware word used to reenter the first routine.