Difference between revisions of "Interdata"

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(32-bit machines: A bit about compatibility)
 
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'''Interdata''' was a company which produced a line of [[minicomputer]]s. They started with 16-bit machines, and added a 32-bit line; the latter were initially [[upward compatible]] with the former. They were later the Computer Systems Division of Perkin-Elmer, Inc.
 
'''Interdata''' was a company which produced a line of [[minicomputer]]s. They started with 16-bit machines, and added a 32-bit line; the latter were initially [[upward compatible]] with the former. They were later the Computer Systems Division of Perkin-Elmer, Inc.
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Interdata machines supported several different [[bus]]es, which were generally standardized and available across the line:
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* the 'Multiplexor bus', which supported [[programmed I/O]]
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* the ' Selector Channel bus', which supported [[Direct Memory Access|DMA]]
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The 32-bit machines are somewhat famous for being the first [[instruction set architecture|ISA]] after the [[PDP-11]] to which [[UNIX]] was moved (they were, for a short period before the arrival of the [[VAX]], the only 32-bit minicomputer).
  
 
==16-bit machines==
 
==16-bit machines==
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* [[Interdata Model 80]]
 
* [[Interdata Model 80]]
 
* [[Interdata Model 85]]
 
* [[Interdata Model 85]]
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* [[Interdata 3]]
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* [[Interdata 4]]
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* [[Interdata 5/16]]
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* [[Interdata 6/16]]
 
* [[Interdata 7/16]]
 
* [[Interdata 7/16]]
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* [[Interdata 8/16]]
  
 
==32-bit machines==
 
==32-bit machines==
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* [[Interdata 7/32]]
 
* [[Interdata 7/32]]
 
* [[Interdata 8/32]]
 
* [[Interdata 8/32]]
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Interdata documentation does not directly address the question of whether the 8/32 is upwardly compatible with the 7/32; they use the same [[instruction]] formats, and thus [[addressing mode]]s, though. ([[Operation code]]s are always 8 bits on both machines.)
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/interdata/ interdata] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]]
 
* [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/interdata/ interdata] - documentation at [[Bitsavers]]
 
** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/interdata/32bit/29-365R01_32BitRefMan_Jun74.pdf 32 Bit Series Reference Manual]
 
** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/interdata/32bit/29-365R01_32BitRefMan_Jun74.pdf 32 Bit Series Reference Manual]
** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/interdata/periph/43-009R01_IOinterfaceDesign_Sep78.pdf I/O Interface]
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** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/interdata/periph/43-009R01_IOinterfaceDesign_Sep78.pdf I/O Interface Design Specification]
 
** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/interdata/periph/brochures/Selector_Channel_Brochure_197608.pdf Selector Channel]
 
** [http://bitsavers.org/pdf/interdata/periph/brochures/Selector_Channel_Brochure_197608.pdf Selector Channel]
  
 
[[Category: Manufacturers]]
 
[[Category: Manufacturers]]

Latest revision as of 14:31, 8 August 2023

Interdata was a company which produced a line of minicomputers. They started with 16-bit machines, and added a 32-bit line; the latter were initially upward compatible with the former. They were later the Computer Systems Division of Perkin-Elmer, Inc.

Interdata machines supported several different buses, which were generally standardized and available across the line:

  • the 'Multiplexor bus', which supported programmed I/O
  • the ' Selector Channel bus', which supported DMA

The 32-bit machines are somewhat famous for being the first ISA after the PDP-11 to which UNIX was moved (they were, for a short period before the arrival of the VAX, the only 32-bit minicomputer).

16-bit machines

32-bit machines

Interdata documentation does not directly address the question of whether the 8/32 is upwardly compatible with the 7/32; they use the same instruction formats, and thus addressing modes, though. (Operation codes are always 8 bits on both machines.)

External links