1 | <?php |
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2 | $seiten_id = 'fruehe-computer'; |
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3 | $version = '$Id: early-computers.php 1438 2018-01-17 08:17:48Z sven $'; |
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4 | $titel = 'Scientifical calculators and mini computers'; |
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5 | |
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6 | require "../../lib/technikum29.php"; |
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7 | ?> |
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8 | |
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9 | <h2>Scientifical calculators and mini computers</h2> |
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10 | |
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11 | <h3 id="lpg21-en">Schoppe & Faeser: LGP-21 (General Precision) </h3> |
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12 | |
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13 | <!-- Bild über ganze Breite (geht bei schmalen Monitoren ins Menü rein) --> |
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14 | <!-- Implementierung dafür steht im common.css, Zeile 300ff. --> |
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15 | <div class="box center" style="position:relative;"> |
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16 | <div style="position:absolute; top:0px;"><img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/lgp-21.jpg" width="872" height="414" alt="LGP 21 Computeranlage" /> |
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17 | </div> |
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18 | <div style="height: 443px;"> </div> |
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19 | <p class="bildtext small">From left to right: magnetic tape drive, 1. LGP-21, Tally paper-tape-reader and punch, 2. Tally reader, two additional hard drives, 2. LGP-21, Flexowriter</p> |
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20 | |
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21 | </div> |
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22 | |
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23 | <p>This machine is particularly interesting in more than one way: 1) The hardware |
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24 | is extremely simple, 2) the machine already employs a bus system for |
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25 | interconnecting the various units. 3) The machine features a fixed disk which |
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26 | holds all registers as well as timing tracks. As the picture above shows we |
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27 | have two complete systems which simplifies troubleshooting and repair.<br> |
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28 | |
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29 | Citing from the original brochure (1964): "The LGP-21 is produced by Schoppe & |
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30 | Faeser as a licensee in Europe and is distributed by EUROCOMP GmbH."<br> |
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31 | |
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32 | The LGP-21 had been developed by Librascope, division GP1 (USA). This company |
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33 | once was one of the largest calculating machine manufacturers in the world. |
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34 | Starting in 1962 the LGP-21 was marketed in the USA by General Precision. The |
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35 | machine is a very small computer but was advertised as "The first complete |
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36 | program controlled digital computer for only $16,250 in the minimum |
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37 | configuration." This configuration consisted of the CPU and a Flexowriter only. |
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38 | This machine was the successor of the <a class="go" href="/en/computer/lgp30.php"><b>LGP-30</b></a> (1st generation, 1956, also build |
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39 | by Schoppe & Faeser in Germany as a licensed product). The LGP-21 is very rare |
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40 | - only about 100 machines were built in Germany. Even rarer is the magnetic |
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41 | tape unit of which only 5 known units were built. The machine in the museum has |
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42 | serial number 4.</p> |
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43 | |
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44 | <div class="box left clear-after"> |
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45 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/tally-lochstreifenleser.jpg" width="603" height="241" alt="Tally Lochstreifenleser" /> |
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46 | <p class="bildtext small">The external memory of the LGP-21 are perforated papertapes, which are scanned mechanically of the Tally-tape reader. The magnetic tape drive and other external drives were added in the late 60s.</p></div> |
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47 | |
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48 | <p>As external storage the LGP-21 employs a paper tape system using Tally |
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49 | papertape readers. The magnetic tape unit and two external disks with a |
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50 | capacity of about 8000 words each were added in the late 1960s.<br> |
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51 | |
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52 | A rotating disk serves as the machine's main memory and clock generator. It |
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53 | rotates with 1475 RPM and holds 4096 words of 32 bits each which equals 12 kB, |
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54 | a reasonable size back then. |
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55 | |
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56 | <div class="box left"> |
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57 | <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/lgp21-platte.jpg">LGP-21 disk drive |
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58 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/lgp21-platte.jpg" width="300" height="270" alt="LGP-21 disk drive" /></a> |
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59 | </div> |
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60 | <br> |
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61 | The disk contains 64 data tracks, four timing tracks and tracks for three registers (accumulator, instruction register and |
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62 | counter register). |
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63 | The mean write density is about 10 Bit/mm (about 1/200th of |
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64 | today's disk drives).<br> |
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65 | The LGP-21 supports 23 different instructions - enough to program typical |
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66 | scientific applications.<br> |
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67 | |
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68 | Repairing the machine turned out to be quite a challenge. Having two machines |
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69 | of this type helps a lot. |
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70 | |
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71 | More information about this interesting and rare system will follow.</p> |
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72 | |
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73 | |
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74 | <header class="teaser"> |
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75 | <h2>Mini-computers</b></h2> |
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76 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/pdp-941x270.jpg" width="941" height="270" > |
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77 | </header> |
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78 | |
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79 | <p>Today's kids think of the latest mobile devices when talking about "mini computers". |
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80 | In contrast, in the 1960s and the early 70s, a computer was always huge (like our |
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81 | <a href="univac9400.php">UNIVAC mainframe</a>), thus a 300kg computer was "mini". |
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82 | Early computers are well worth seeing due to their enormous size and the nice |
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83 | transparent auxillary devices. |
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84 | <br />There is a very important computer family that finally lead to (today's) |
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85 | personal computers: The development of the "Mini" computers from Digital Equipment |
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86 | Corporation (DEC), series PDP-8 and PDP-12 (both 12-bit architecture). The museum |
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87 | owns a complete production run from that devices: From the PDP-8 (also called |
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88 | Classic-8), year of manufacture 1965 to the PDP-8a (1975, this one is less |
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89 | important so it is located in the archive). PDP means Programmed Data Processor. |
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90 | </p> |
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91 | <div class="box left clear-after"> |
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92 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/flip-chip-module.jpg" width="400" height="173" alt="Flip-Chip-Module" /> |
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93 | <p>The manuals of these computers are very detailed, with full circuit |
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94 | documentation. There never have been any other computer with such an |
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95 | elaborate documentation. For restoration purposes these manuals are |
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96 | indispensable. Even in those days, other manufacturers kept their |
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97 | blueprints in secret for fear of unauthorized re-use (e.g. HP). |
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98 | |
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99 | </p> |
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100 | </div> |
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101 | |
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102 | <p>For further reading see the story about <a class="go" name="backlink-dec" |
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103 | href="/en/devices/dec-history.php">Rise and Fall of DIGITAL (Equipment Corporation)</a>.</p> |
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104 | |
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105 | <h3 id="pdp8">Classic PDP-8</h3> |
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106 | <div class="box left clear-after"> |
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107 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-8.jpg" width="400" height="560" alt="PDP 8 Classic" /> |
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108 | <img style="clear:left" src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-8,pannel.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="PDP-8 Bedienungspannel" /> |
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109 | <img style="clear:left" src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp8-fluegel.jpg" width="400" height="345" alt="PDP-8 Flügel" /> |
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110 | |
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111 | |
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112 | <p>PDP computers were especially used by scientists. By using self-made |
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113 | (CPU) interface boards, already existing (experimental) equipment could easily |
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114 | migrated to the new hardware. DEC even offered prefabricated boards to |
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115 | encourage own extension development. |
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116 | The figure above shows a typical second generation module (1965) without ICs |
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117 | from the classic PDP-8 on the left. In the middle is a smaller third generation |
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118 | module with ICs (from 1967) which was used in the PDP-8i, PDP-8L and PDP-12. |
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119 | On the right is an empty module just suitable for being equipped by the |
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120 | user for interfaces to own periphery.<br> |
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121 | |
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122 | |
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123 | One of the museum highlights: The complete PDP-8 system with processor, |
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124 | a big tape deck TU-580 (originally belonged to the PDP-5, manufactured in 1963), |
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125 | punch card reader/puncher PC-01, hard-disc DF-32 with immovable heads |
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126 | and a teletype as printer. The Classic PDP-8 is considered the world's first mass-produced |
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127 | "minicomputer". Due it's use of ICs, unlike its predecessors, it is considered |
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128 | a second-generation computer. |
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129 | </p> |
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130 | |
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131 | <p>This computer features various different logic and register modules. All logic |
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132 | is only built with NAND and NOR gatters. Registers are constructed with flip-flop |
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133 | circuits. The extensive wiring of the modules (see picture) is called |
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134 | <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_wrap">Wire wrapping</a>. This kind of |
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135 | connections were used in all bigger computers until the 1980s, since it is an |
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136 | easy way to connect two points which are not mounted on the same board or on the |
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137 | same level. In the early days this wiring was manually performed and later executed |
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138 | by machines. Even today there are still some wire-wrap-connections in testing |
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139 | environments. |
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140 | <br> |
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141 | The picture shows the uncovered computer with opened right wing where you can easily |
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142 | see the wire-wrap connections.</p> |
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143 | |
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144 | <p class="small">Top: Complete PDP-8 system, <br/> center: console of the computer <br/> below: open computer, the right wing is extended. Here you can see the wire-wrap connections.<br><br> |
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145 | The processor and the tape reader are on loan from the <a href="http://www.fitg.de"> "FITG"</a>, Frankfurt (Germany)</small> |
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146 | |
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147 | </div> |
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148 | <!-- The <b>Classic PDP 8</b> from DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation, Massachusetts): |
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149 | He is considered to be the world's first mass-produced "minicomputer" (1965). "Mini" is relative: Only too very |
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150 | strong men can lift the computer. It is better to have four people to carry it!. |
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151 | Without ICs or their ancestors the device is counted among the seccond-generation calculators. |
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152 | <br/>You can also get a view from the "Flip-Chip"-card from the <a class="go" href="/en/devices/pdp-8-left-flank.php">left flank</a> |
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153 | (<u>flank</u>). The core memory is set above (storage capacity 4kB).--> |
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154 | |
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155 | |
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156 | |
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157 | <h3 id="pdp8i">PDP-8I</h3> |
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158 | |
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159 | <div class="box left"> |
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160 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp8i.jpg" alt="DEC PDP-8I" width="400" height="666" /> |
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161 | </div> |
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162 | <div class="box center"> |
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163 | <div class="center auto-bildbreite inline-block"> |
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164 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/8i-pannel.jpg" width="400" height="292" alt="PDP 8i operator panel" /> |
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165 | <p class="bildtext small">Left: The PDP-8i system with two-DECtapes TU 55, hight-speed paper tape reader/punch |
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166 | PC 04, 563 CALCOM plotter (top) and a TELETYPE (not shown). Above: the computer console</p> |
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167 | </div> |
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168 | </div> |
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169 | |
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170 | <p>In 1967 the first series 74xx TTL ICs (transistor-transistor logic) came on the market. |
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171 | DEC was at the bleeding edge, releasing the 8i ("with <b>i</b>ntegrated circuits"). No one |
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172 | knew about the stability of the new ICs (later bugs). Therefore UNIVAC used the well established |
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173 | DTL technology even two years after. Fortunately, the TTL ICs proved to be as stable as the DTL |
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174 | series. Since the integration degree was much higher, less space has been needed for computers. |
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175 | <br>DEC's first calculator with integrated circuits was very expensive. The CPU on alone |
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176 | (in the picture: Left case, middle) cost US$ 27,000 without peripherals at that time. |
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177 | <br>The main memory had a capacity of 8kB. While computing a "large" problem, it was possible to swap |
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178 | programs or data to files on magnetic tape and read in afterward be reread. DEC developed |
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179 | an intelligent operating system (OS/8) which worked very efficiently with such little memory. |
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180 | It is very interesting to watch this computer working.</p> |
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181 | <p>If you have not been in the presence of this computer, you should know that it is quite large. |
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182 | With the plotter, it stands at a height of almost 7' (2m) and weighting at more than 600 lbs (300kg).</p> |
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183 | <p>The peripherals consist of two TU-55 (tape drives), a PC-04 (high speed paper tape reader), |
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184 | Calcomp 563 plotter (at the top) and of course a teletype (not pictured). |
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185 | </p> |
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186 | |
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187 | |
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188 | <h3 id="pdp8L">PDP-8L</h3> |
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189 | <br> |
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190 | <div class="box desc-left borderless"> |
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191 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-8L.jpg" width="400" height="360" alt="DEC PDP-8L" /> |
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192 | <p class="small">PDP-8L (build in 1968) with HSR Paper Tape Reader</p> |
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193 | </div> |
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194 | <div class="box clear-after"> |
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195 | <p>Many DEC customers did not need the high memory capacity or installable options. |
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196 | Therefore DEC developed the stripped-down computer PDP 8L (<b>L</b>ow-cost) with |
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197 | only a few pre-wired installed options in the lower price range. |
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198 | The core memory had only 4kB capacity, it was extendable to 8kB with an external cabinet. |
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199 | <br>Our PDP-8L has many extensions: HSR (High Speed) paper tape reader, TC01 Tape Control |
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200 | with two drives TU55 and additional memory. |
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201 | <br>DEC invented the interpreted programming language <b>FOCAL</b> (Formulating Online |
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202 | Calculations in Algebraic Language), which allowed the user an interactive |
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203 | programming environment (like a Unix shell). This language is similar to BASIC, but |
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204 | slightly simpler. FOCAL required no operating system and ran smoothly with 4kB core |
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205 | memory and lacking mass storage. |
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206 | </div> |
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207 | |
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208 | |
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209 | <h3 id="pdp12">PDP-12, LAB-12</h3> |
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210 | <div class="box left"> |
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211 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-12.jpg" width="400" height="485" alt="DEC LAB-12" /> |
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212 | </div> |
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213 | <div class="box center" style="min-width: 840px;"> |
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214 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-12-konsole.jpg" width="400" height="256" alt="LAB-12 Bedienungspannel" /> |
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215 | </div> |
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216 | |
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217 | <p>The PDP-12 was released in 1969. Just 755 units were sold worldwide. It was the last series that |
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218 | could operate in LINC-Mode (it could be switched to either LINC |
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219 | or PDP-8 Mode). This is a laboratory computer, equipped with AD and DA |
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220 | converter as standard. Such computers were usually kept up to date |
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221 | with hardware updates. The memory of this device was gradually |
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222 | increased from 8kB up to 32kB (DW 08E storage extension). |
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223 | <br>Besides the tape drives, the computer was also equipped with |
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224 | an 8-inch floppy drive. Afterwards they were removed again in |
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225 | favor of two removable disk drives. Finally they even tied the |
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226 | device to 10BASE-T ethernet, using a selfmade controller with an |
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227 | handwritten TCP/IP stack on a selfmade operating system. |
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228 | Thus this device can demonstrate the era from paper tapes up to |
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229 | today's storage standard.<br> |
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230 | Check out the console in a large scale: |
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231 | <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/konsole,dunkel.jpg">PDP-12 console (dark picture)</a> |
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232 | or: <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/konsole,hell.jpg">PDP-12 console (ligh picture)</a> |
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233 | </p> |
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234 | |
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235 | <div class="desc-right borderless"> |
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236 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-12-innen.jpg" width="297" height="676" alt="DEC LAB-12-Flip-Chips" /> |
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237 | <p class="small">The picture on the left shows the PDP-12 inner life with all 462 Flip-Chip-Boards.</p> |
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238 | </div> |
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239 | |
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240 | <p>By having all the following options, our computer was very comfortable |
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241 | (the number in parentheses indicates the number of neccessary boards):</p> |
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242 | |
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243 | <dl> |
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244 | <dt>AD12 [A-D-Control] (12 modules): |
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245 | <dd>The AD12 includes 16 channels of input, 10bit output resolution and features |
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246 | up to 60kHz signals at 30dB down. |
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247 | |
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248 | <dt>DM12 [Data Break Multiplexer for KF12-B] (6 modules): |
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249 | <dd>The DM12 provides the capability of operating up to three data break devices. |
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250 | The Data Break facility allows an I/O device to transfer information directly |
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251 | with the PDP-12 core memory on a cycle-stealing basis. This is particulary |
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252 | well suited for high-speed devices which transfer large amounts of information |
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253 | in block form. Peripheral I/O equipment could reach a maximum transfer rate |
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254 | of 6,5 Mbit/sec. |
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255 | |
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256 | <dt>DP12A [TTY-Dataphone] (4 modules): |
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257 | <dd>The DP12 options permit interfacing additional Teletypes and Modems. They are |
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258 | capable of accepting data asynchronously up to 100,000 baud. The units are |
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259 | designed for US-ASCII and meet the EIA-standard (RS232) requirements. |
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260 | |
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261 | <dt>DR12 [Relays and Control] (1 module): |
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262 | <dd>The relay buffer is a six-bit register connected to six relays that are mounted |
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263 | on the data terminal panel. They can be used for controlling experiments or |
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264 | external equipment not otherwise directly interfaced with the PDP-12 Computer. |
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265 | The states of the relays can be examinede at any time via the register. |
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266 | |
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267 | <dt>KE12 [Extended Arithmetik Element] (14 modules): |
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268 | <dd>The EAE enables the CP (the DEC operating system) to perform arithmetic |
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269 | operations at higher speed. The ALU is extended by asynchronous logic such as a |
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270 | 12-bit Multiplier Quotient Register and a 5-bit Step Counter. These components |
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271 | are used by auxillary CPU instructions (opcodes). |
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272 | |
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273 | <dt>KF12 [Multi Level] (54 modules): |
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274 | <dd>The Multi-Level Automatic Priority Interrupt is designed to reduce the CPU |
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275 | overhead during the servicing of program interrupts. Up to 15 levels of interrupts |
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276 | can be accomodated with each level having an unique vector address. The interrupts |
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277 | can be accepted from other options (CPU extensions) or from up to six external |
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278 | devices. Storing of priority and vectoring of interrupt service routines is |
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279 | performed with a Stack. |
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280 | |
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281 | <dt>KT12 [Time-Sharing Option] (2 modules): |
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282 | <dd>This module provides the additional logic circuits required for the PDP12 Time |
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283 | Sharing System. Having satisfied the minimum equipment, it perimts up to 16 users |
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284 | to operate their individual programs in an apperantly simultaneous manner. The |
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285 | system is controlled by a group of subprograms called "TSS/12 Monitor". |
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286 | |
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287 | <dt>KW12-A [Real Time Clock] (19 modules): |
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288 | <dd>The RTC can be used to generate Program Interrupts over a range of intervals of |
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289 | 2.5us to 40.96s; detect external and internal events in order to count them, |
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290 | measure them against a time base, measure the interval between them, use them as |
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291 | time base standard or control sample times of A/D conversions. In our system |
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292 | this module was used to connect the german longwave time signal radio station |
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293 | DCF77 in order to recieve the atomic clock time from the German master clocks |
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294 | in Frankfurt. |
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295 | </dl> |
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296 | |
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297 | <p>The computer is equipped with further cabinets which allow much more peripherals:</p> |
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298 | |
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299 | <div class="desc-right no-copyright borderless"> |
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300 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-12anwendung.jpg" width="400" height="366" alt="Typical PDP-12 in scientific environment" /> |
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301 | <p class="bildtext small">Typical picture in the 1970s: PDP-12 in the scientific domain. [Source: "digital products and applications, 1971"]</p> |
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302 | </div> |
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303 | |
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304 | <dl> |
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305 | <dt>AA50P [12 Bit DAC Controller] |
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306 | <dd>Cabinet to upgrade the number of digital-analog converters (half filled in our setup) |
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307 | |
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308 | <dt>BA12 [Peripharal Expander] |
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309 | <dd>Cabinet for peripheral extension, e.g. paper tape reader/puncher, PC05, card |
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310 | readers, etc. |
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311 | |
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312 | <dt>DW08A [I/O Bus Converter] |
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313 | <dd>Cabinet to connect "negative bus system" units. The "negative logic level" was used |
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314 | at the time of germanium transistors (PNP), for example the DF32 disk drive with |
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315 | fixed heads. |
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316 | |
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317 | <dt>DW08E [I/O Bus Converter] |
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318 | <dd>This plug-in for the smaller PDP-8e converts the PDP-8, -8i and -12 bus to the |
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319 | OMNIBUS system from the PDP-8e. Thus all 8e interfaces could be connected, e.g. the |
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320 | RK8E interface (Digitl RK05) or Plessey PM DD/8 disk drives. |
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321 | |
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322 | <dt>BM812 [Memory Expansion Box] |
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323 | <dd>Memory expansion box that is capable of expending either a PDP8i or PDP12 |
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324 | from 8kB to 32kB with MM8e-stacks (like in the PDP-8e). |
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325 | </dl> |
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326 | |
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327 | <div class="desc-left auto-bildbreite borderless" style="margin-bottom: 0;"> |
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328 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/talk-to-me.jpg" width="163" height="209" alt="Demo-12 Demoprogramm" /> |
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329 | <p class="bildtext small">So logs the PDP-12-demo program</p> |
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330 | </div> |
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331 | |
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332 | <p>This system is fully developed. This was a common approach at that time: At first the |
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333 | computer was purchased in the basic version which was barely affordable. Afterwards |
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334 | more options were installed step-by-step. That way the enormous acquisition costs |
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335 | were distributed over several years and the computer was always up to date.<br> |
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336 | We have very good programs [Demo-12 running on DIAL], which shows with extreme illustrative the performance of the computer. This includes an on-screen analog clock with real-time display and the game |
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337 | "SPACE WAR". Some of will be soon available on our special page [in working]. |
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338 | </p> |
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339 | <div class="cols" style="clear:left;"> |
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340 | <div class="leftcol"> |
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341 | <p class="small">(Google-translation!):We have a PDP-12 price list from the year 1973, a period in which the PDP-12 was already an outdated model. Our fully-equipped computer was a PDP-12 LDP (Laboratory Data Processor), here specifically a "clinical lab12", sold at a price of DM 206.700. Most of the options listed above were built in. (In 1973 3,50DM corresponds to 1$).<br> |
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342 | This computer was equipped with 4kB Memory Core. So one needs in adition a "Memory Extension Control" for 16.600 DM and a 4kB Memory Module for 25.100 DM. The price for the unimposing Peripheral Expander BA12 was 5.400 DM (equivalent to a midsize car) and "High-Speed Paper Tape Reader/Punch" incredible 16.200 DM.</div> |
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343 | <div class="rightcol"> |
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344 | <p class="small"> |
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345 | |
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346 | A Disk Cartridge Drive RK05 where sold for DM 21.200, where one needs in addition the "Positive I/O Bus to Omnibus Converter" DW8E (6750 DM). Similarly is the Converter DW08A and the Cabinet AA50 for additional D/A Controller. The 3 plugged D/A modules were calculated with 1.680 DM per unit. |
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347 | The memory expansion to 32K does not appear on the list, but the price for this option was about 50.000 DM including the controller.<br> |
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348 | |
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349 | In the sum it is a staggering number of 387.690 DM, which is today corresponding about 500,000 Euro or 600.000 $!</p> |
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350 | </small> |
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351 | </div> |
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352 | </div> |
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353 | <div class="clear"> |
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354 | </div> |
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355 | |
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356 | <h3 id="lab8e">Lab-8e, PDP-8e</h3> |
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357 | <div class="box left"> |
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358 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/lab8e.jpg" width="400" height="461" alt="DEC LAB-8e" /> |
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359 | </div> |
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360 | <div class="box center" style="min-width: 840px;"> |
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361 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/pdp-8e,pannel.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="PDP-8e operator panel" /> |
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362 | </div> |
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363 | <div class="bildtext"> |
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364 | <p>The successor of the PDP-8i was the PDP-8e (1970). This computer came with an |
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365 | internal bus system, so you could easily attach any peripherals using interface cards. This |
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366 | feature made the "mini"-computer all-purpose. This computer type was offered with diverse |
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367 | A/D- and D/A-converters and connection facilities as a laboratory computer for analogue |
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368 | devices (shown in the picture). The peripherals are:</p> |
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369 | <ul> |
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370 | <li>VR 12 (oscilloscope display)</li> |
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371 | <li>PC 04 (High speed paper tape reader/puncher)</li> |
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372 | <li>3 x TU 56 (double tape drive)</li> |
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373 | <li>A/D- and D/A-converter</li> |
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374 | </ul> |
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375 | </div> |
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376 | <div class="box left clear-after"> |
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377 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/dec/8e-module.jpg" alt="8e-Module" width="400" height="175"/> |
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378 | <p>The picture on the left shows a board for own peripheral interfaces. In this unit, |
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379 | bus amplifiers, etc. are already mounted. You could install your own ICs in front of |
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380 | them and connect them with Wire-Wrap or soldered wires. |
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381 | On the right is a typical module with a lot of ICs. Both modules are only partially |
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382 | visible. |
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383 | </p> |
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384 | </div> |
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385 | |
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386 | |
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387 | <h3 id="nova-en">Data General: NOVA 2</h3> |
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388 | |
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389 | <div class="box left"> |
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390 | <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/nova2.jpg" width="400" height="561" alt="Data General: NOVA 2" /> |
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391 | <p> Edson de Castro was responsible for product management at DEC and was intent |
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392 | on developing a 16-bit computer with a processor that would fit on a single |
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393 | printed circuit board. But Ken Olson, the founder of DEC, wasn't |
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394 | supportive. So de Castro left DEC in 1968 together with three other |
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395 | hardware engineers to found his own company in a vacant barber's shop: |
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396 | <b>Data General Corporation </b>(Massachusetts, USA).<br> |
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397 | |
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398 | Already in 1969 the first 16-bit computer in the <b>"NOVA" </b>series was ready |
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399 | for the market. Thanks to the simpler production method (no wire wrapping, |
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400 | only two boards + memory boards etc.) the basic version was quite inexpensive |
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401 | at $4000. However, this basic model alone wasn't really that useful, and |
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402 | after extending the computer the total price was substantially higher. |
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403 | The Nova computer was advertised as "the best small computer in the world". |
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404 | At this time, DEC was still building the PDP-8/I and the PDP-12, which |
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405 | required lots of very small flip-chip-modules. <br> |
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406 | |
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407 | The successor model (available in 1973), the<b> NOVA 2</b>, was simplified even |
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408 | further, and the increased chip density made it possible to have the whole |
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409 | processor together with the control logic for slow peripheral devices |
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410 | (teletype, paper tape puncher and reader) one single board. Our Nova is a |
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411 | NOVA 2/10 model with slots for 10 boards, and therefore enough space for |
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412 | quite a few device controllers and memory extensions.<br> |
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413 | |
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414 | |
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415 | From today's perspective, the rather huge boards (15x15 inch, |
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416 | nicknamed "circuit graveyards in baking tray size") do have disadvantages: |
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417 | any kind of repair is very difficult, because it is not possible to pin down |
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418 | a malfunction by exchanging small boards.<br> |
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419 | |
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420 | The NOVA shown in the picture is from a university. It is equipped with |
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421 | two harddisk drives, one twin floppy drive (8" disks!), one teletype, |
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422 | one high-speed paper tape punch reader and one punch card reader (not in |
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423 | the picture). Later on a terminal was added, which extended the computer |
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424 | to a comfortably usable system.</p> |
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425 | |
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426 | The details are better visible in a larger photo: <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/nova-detail.jpg">NOVA 2 with terminal</a><br> |
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427 | |
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428 | <p class="bildtext small"> |
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429 | Hardware configuration, from top to bottom:<br> |
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430 | <dl> |
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431 | |
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432 | <dd>Paper tape punch reader (mostly used for testing programs included with |
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433 | every delivered system) |
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434 | <dd>Twin disk drive for 8-inch floppy disks, Model 6032 |
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435 | <dd>CPU with core memory, 32 KB, access time 0.8 us |
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436 | <dd>Two hard-disk drives with removable cartridges, Series 30. Capacity |
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437 | 1.200.000 16-bit words, or 2.4 MB. |
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438 | <dd>Disk Cartridge System 4047, necessary to connect the second disk |
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439 | <dd>Terminal "DASHER 1", Model 6052 by Data General, on the right hand side |
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440 | </dl></small> |
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441 | </div> |
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442 | |
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443 | |
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444 | |
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