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− | '''FLIP CHIP''' was [[DEC]]'s trade name for a lengthy series of small cards used to build computers, and devices for them. (It should not be confused with the generic technology term [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip_chip 'flip chip']; the DEC version, properly spelled with all capital letters, as in the trademark filing, got its name from the fact that some early FLIP CHIPs used flip chips.) | + | {{DEC-HW-stub}} |
| + | [[Image:B Series Flip Chip.jpg|thumb|300px|A B series Flip-Chip]] |
| + | '''Flip-Chip''' was a [[DEC]] registered trademark, named after the "flipchip" component mounting technique which quite rapidly faded from fame. The name was retained although the majority of Flip-Chips never really were flipchip-mounted as it became apparent that the flipchip mounting technique was highly unreliable. Flip-chips were used in the DEC [[PDP-7]] (Referred to in documentation as the "FLIP CHIP"), [[PDP-8]], [[PDP-9]] and [[PDP-10]], beginning on August 24, 1964. |
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− | They were introduced as a cost-reduction measure; a FLIP CHIP plugged directly into a 144-pin connector block with wire-wrap pins on the back side; automatic Gardner-Denver [[wire-wrapping]] equipment could wire the connector blocks to produce larger functional modules. | + | In practice, they performed generic, simple functions, similar to an integrated circuit. They were approximately 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. Each had 36 connectors, 18 on each side. |
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− | Early FLIP CHIP modules were [[DEC card form factor|single-height]], normal-length modules with contact fingers on one side of the [[PCB]] only (the so-called 'solder' side); the contact pads were 'numbered' from the [[DEC Alphabet]].
| + | == Naming == |
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− | The earliest FLIP CHIPs, introduced in 1964, used discrete transistors. FLIP CHIPs incorporating [[IC]] technology soon followed, and the limited number of contact pins eventually became a problem, so that eventually contact fingers were added on the other ('component') side as well.
| + | There appeared to be some confusion inside DEC at the time, as various manuals refer to it as "FLIP CHIP", "Flip Chip", "FLIP-CHIP", "Flip-Chip" and "Flip Chip", with trademark and registered trademark symbols. |
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− | The following FLIP CHIP families ('series', in DEC terminology) were
| + | ==Flip-Chip families== |
− | introduced over the years:
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− | * R-Series (red handles); intended to be easy to use, and used diode gates and diode-capacitor-diode circuits
| + | [[Image:FlipChips.jpeg|thumb|250px|Flip-chips in different forms and a rainbow of colours, in a [[PDP-8]].]] |
− | * S-Series (also red handles); first developed for the original [[PDP-8]]; same basic technology as the R-Series, with component variations for greater speed
| + | The various families were colour-coded, and the first letter denoted a colour, which was also visible on the handle. |
− | * B-Series (blue handles); first used on the [[PDP-7]], and later in the famous KA10 [[PDP-10]] CPU, they used silicon transistors
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− | * A-Series (amber handles); analog cards
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− | * G-Series (green handles); specialized modules that are part of a specific larger system
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− | * W-Series (white handles); input/output to external circuitry
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− | * K-Series (blacK handles); industrial control applications
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− | * M-Series (magenta handles); carried the then-new [[TTL]] chips, first used in the [[PDP-8/I]]
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− | DEC continued to use the name up into the period when [[DEC card form factor|extended-length quad-height]] cards started to appear, e.g. in the [[KA11 CPU]]. However, although these special-purpose cards are labelled 'FLIP CHIP's, they are generally not considered to be 'true' FLIP CHIPS; the name is generally only used to refer to the smaller, general-purpose cards.
| + | ===A series=== |
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− | ==External links==
| + | ''See the list of [[List of DEC part numbers#A series|DEC parts]].'' |
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− | * [http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/gbell/Computer_Engineering/00000134.htm In the Beginning] and linked subsequent pages
| + | The A stands for Amber. The A series were used for analog functions - ADCs, DACs, amplifiers etc. |
− | * [http://www.soemtron.org/pdp7flipchips.html Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-7] | + | |
− | * [http://so-much-stuff.com/pdp8/flipchip/flipchip.php FlipChip Modules] | + | ===B series=== |
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| + | The B stands for Blue. The B series were used as core logic in the higher-end CPUs. |
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| + | ===G series=== |
| + | |
| + | The G stands for Green. The G series were used for "anything with non-standard voltages", I think. |
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| + | ===M series=== |
| + | |
| + | ''See the list of [[List of DEC part numbers#M series|DEC parts]]. |
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| + | The M stands for magenta. Part of this line is simple TTL-level logic, while later on, it became quite complex, see [[list of DEC part numbers]]. They replaced the R series which used discrete transistors with integrated circuits. |
| + | |
| + | * Power supply: 5 V |
| + | * Operate at up to 6 MHz |
| + | |
| + | ===R series=== |
| + | |
| + | The R stands for Red. Slower logic than the B series, but cheaper. Used extensively in the I/O circuitry of computers. |
| + | |
| + | * Slower logic than B series, cheaper |
| + | * Used in a variety of systems, e.g. [[PDP-8]] |
| + | * Power supply 10 and -15 volts |
| + | * Operational to 2 megahertz |
| + | * Signal level 0 volts, logic 0 and -3 volts, logic 1 |
| + | * Typical price $20 to $30 |
| + | |
| + | === S series === |
| + | |
| + | The S series is identical to the R seriese except that its transistors switch faster and lower resistance resistors, allowing more cards to be wired in series and operate somewhat faster. |
| + | |
| + | ===W series=== |
| + | |
| + | The W stands for White. These are components that plug into Flip-Chip sockets, but have no logic of their own. |
This article on DEC hardware is a stub. You can help by expanding it.
Flip-Chip was a DEC registered trademark, named after the "flipchip" component mounting technique which quite rapidly faded from fame. The name was retained although the majority of Flip-Chips never really were flipchip-mounted as it became apparent that the flipchip mounting technique was highly unreliable. Flip-chips were used in the DEC PDP-7 (Referred to in documentation as the "FLIP CHIP"), PDP-8, PDP-9 and PDP-10, beginning on August 24, 1964.
In practice, they performed generic, simple functions, similar to an integrated circuit. They were approximately 4 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. Each had 36 connectors, 18 on each side.
Naming
There appeared to be some confusion inside DEC at the time, as various manuals refer to it as "FLIP CHIP", "Flip Chip", "FLIP-CHIP", "Flip-Chip" and "Flip Chip", with trademark and registered trademark symbols.
Flip-Chip families
Flip-chips in different forms and a rainbow of colours, in a
PDP-8.
The various families were colour-coded, and the first letter denoted a colour, which was also visible on the handle.
A series
See the list of DEC parts.
The A stands for Amber. The A series were used for analog functions - ADCs, DACs, amplifiers etc.
B series
The B stands for Blue. The B series were used as core logic in the higher-end CPUs.
G series
The G stands for Green. The G series were used for "anything with non-standard voltages", I think.
M series
See the list of DEC parts.
The M stands for magenta. Part of this line is simple TTL-level logic, while later on, it became quite complex, see list of DEC part numbers. They replaced the R series which used discrete transistors with integrated circuits.
- Power supply: 5 V
- Operate at up to 6 MHz
R series
The R stands for Red. Slower logic than the B series, but cheaper. Used extensively in the I/O circuitry of computers.
- Slower logic than B series, cheaper
- Used in a variety of systems, e.g. PDP-8
- Power supply 10 and -15 volts
- Operational to 2 megahertz
- Signal level 0 volts, logic 0 and -3 volts, logic 1
- Typical price $20 to $30
S series
The S series is identical to the R seriese except that its transistors switch faster and lower resistance resistors, allowing more cards to be wired in series and operate somewhat faster.
W series
The W stands for White. These are components that plug into Flip-Chip sockets, but have no logic of their own.