Modular expansion bus configuration

Abstract From the Canadian patent

The invention comprises an automatic technique for assigning addresses to modular units connected to a computer system bus. In its broadest aspects the in-, vention comprises the method of initially generating a unique address in a controller module attached to the expansion bus and thereafter transferring the unique address to the next expansion module. The next expansion module receives the unique address is identified, by the unique address, and generates a new unique address using the received unique address. Thereafter the expansion module transfers the new unique address to the next expansion module which likewise uses the received address to identify itself. The steps are repeated …