Difference between revisions of "DH11 asynchronous serial line interface"
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| − | The '''DH11 asynchronous serial line interface''' is a [[UNIBUS]] [[peripheral]] which provides up to 16 [[asynchronous serial line]]s; | + | The '''DH11 asynchronous serial line interface''' is a [[UNIBUS]] [[peripheral]] which provides up to 16 [[asynchronous serial line]]s. Output used [[Direct Memory Access|DMA]] (with each line having its own [[buffer]] [[pointer]] and count); on input a 64-character [[First-In First-Out buffer|FIFO buffer]] made over-runs unlikely. |
| + | |||
| + | As a UNIBUS device, it was usable on the [[PDP-11]] and [[VAX]] computers. Although it first appeared very early on in the lifetime of the PDP-11, it was extremely powerful and flexible, and remained an option for a very long time. | ||
The parameters for each line: | The parameters for each line: | ||
| − | * separate input and output baud rates | + | * separate input and output baud rates |
* character length (5-8 bits) | * character length (5-8 bits) | ||
* stop bits (1, 1-1/2 and 2) | * stop bits (1, 1-1/2 and 2) | ||
* parity (odd, even, none) | * parity (odd, even, none) | ||
| − | could be set dynamically (unlike, for example, the [[DJ11]], which set parameters for groups of lines using [[jumper]]s) | + | could be set dynamically (unlike, for example, the [[DJ11 asynchronous serial line interface|DJ11]], which set parameters for groups of lines using [[jumper]]s) |
| − | + | Fourteen supported [[baud rate]]s ranged from 50 to 9600, along with 0 (to disable a line); two additional speeds were available with optional [[clock]] [[FLIP CHIP]]s. A 'break' condition on the line (i.e. continuous assertion) could also be generated and detected. | |
| − | For modem control, a single DM11-BB per DH11, mounted in the main DH11 backplane along with the rest of the DH11 cards, was required. (The DM11-BB is logically a separate device, albeit one housed in | + | For [[modem]] control, a single [[DM11-BB Modem Control Option]] per DH11, mounted in the main DH11 [[backplane]] along with the rest of the DH11 cards, was required. (The DM11-BB is logically a separate device, albeit one housed in the DH11.) |
==Initial implementation== | ==Initial implementation== | ||
| − | The original implementation took an entire double [[system unit]], containing multiple cards (see list below). | + | The original implementation took an entire double [[system unit]], containing multiple cards (see list below). It came in 'earlier' and 'later' versions. |
| − | + | In the 'early' versions, modular 'line conditioning' units from the [[DF11 Communications Line Adapter]] series allowed support of either [[20mA current loop serial line interface|20mA]] or [[EIA RS-232 serial line interface|EIA RS-232]] serial lines; these were installed in a separate rack-mounted [[DEC card form factor|dual-height]] [[backplane]] (which required its own independent [[power supply]]). | |
| − | + | The available line conditioning units included the DM11-DA (20mA line conditioning) and the DM11-DB (EIA, no modem conrol). Each supported four lines; thus, with these, line conditioning could be mixed in groups of four. The 'early' version with the DM11-BB connected to four DM11-DC's. | |
| − | + | In the 'later' units, line conditioning was performed by boards mounted in the main DH11 backplane, and a rack-mounted passive H317-B distribution panel provided connectors for individual lines. | |
| + | |||
| + | These 'later' versions only supported EIA-type line conditioning (with or without modem control); to add modem control, a different implementation of the DM11-BB was required (one which did the EIA level conversion on the control lines internally). | ||
===Versions=== | ===Versions=== | ||
| Line 39: | Line 43: | ||
For the telegraph line option, the line conditioning backplane and its power supply were omitted, and up to two DH11's were connected to a DC08CS Telegraph Converter Panel. | For the telegraph line option, the line conditioning backplane and its power supply were omitted, and up to two DH11's were connected to a DC08CS Telegraph Converter Panel. | ||
| − | ===Main | + | ===Main unit=== |
| − | The 'basic' DH11 included the following boards: | + | The 'basic' DH11 included the following [[DEC card form factor|hex-width]] boards: |
| − | * M7277 - Transmit scanner | + | * M7277 - Transmit scanner |
* M7278 - Registers and byte count | * M7278 - Registers and byte count | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
* M7288 - Line parameters control | * M7288 - Line parameters control | ||
* M7289 - Receiver scanner | * M7289 - Receiver scanner | ||
| + | |||
| + | a dual-width and two quads: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * M7279 - FIFO buffer | ||
| + | * M7280 (2) - Octal UARTs | ||
| + | |||
| + | and a number of single-width cards: | ||
| + | |||
* M4540 - Crystal clock | * M4540 - Crystal clock | ||
| − | * M796 - | + | * M7360 - Priority selector |
| − | * M7821 (2) - Interrupt control (transmit and | + | * M796 - UNIBUS master control |
| + | * [[M782 Interrupt Control|M7821]] (2) - Interrupt control (transmit. receive, and [[Non-Processor Request|NPR]]) | ||
| + | - M405 (optional; 2) | ||
| − | + | Board locations (as seen from the board insertion side of the backplane, not the [[wire-wrap]] pin side, as is common in [[DEC]] documentation) are: | |
| − | + | {| class="wikitable" | |
| − | + | ! !! colspan="6" | Connector | |
| − | + | |- | |
| − | + | ! Slot !! A !! B !! C !! D !! E !! F | |
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 1 || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | UNIBUS In || colspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | Reserved for DM11-BB | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 2 || M7821 || M796 || colspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | Reserved for DM11-BB | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 3 || colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | M7278 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 4 || colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | M7277 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 5 || colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | M7289 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 6 || M7821 || M405 (optional) || colspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | M7280 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 7 || M7360 || M971 (cable) || colspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | M7280 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 8 || colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | M7288 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | 9 || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | UNIBUS Out || colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | M7279 || M405 (optional) || M4540 | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | An optional M794 maintenance card could be plugged into the slot normally used by the M971, for testing. | ||
The 'later' versions of the DH11 both included: | The 'later' versions of the DH11 both included: | ||
| Line 72: | Line 105: | ||
These boards fitted into the same slots occupied by the DM11-BB boards in the 'early' versions. | These boards fitted into the same slots occupied by the DM11-BB boards in the 'early' versions. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
===Line conditioning boards=== | ===Line conditioning boards=== | ||
| Line 95: | Line 126: | ||
It was connected to the DH11 with a pair of BC08S cables, which carried the 'main' signals (data, etc - i.e. non-modem control); these cables were thus required for both 'later' versions. For the modem control signals (Carrier Detect, etc) used with the DH11-AD, four BC08R cables were used. | It was connected to the DH11 with a pair of BC08S cables, which carried the 'main' signals (data, etc - i.e. non-modem control); these cables were thus required for both 'later' versions. For the modem control signals (Carrier Detect, etc) used with the DH11-AD, four BC08R cables were used. | ||
| − | [[Image:H3007Panel.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:H3007Panel.jpg|thumb|right|200px|H3007]] |
Later, the H3007 8-line EIA distribution panel, designed for use in later DEC cabinets with improved [[EMI]] characteristics, was introduced; the H3007 fits into the standard panel 21cm x 10cm cutout found in these systems. | Later, the H3007 8-line EIA distribution panel, designed for use in later DEC cabinets with improved [[EMI]] characteristics, was introduced; the H3007 fits into the standard panel 21cm x 10cm cutout found in these systems. | ||
Revision as of 14:10, 3 October 2019
The DH11 asynchronous serial line interface is a UNIBUS peripheral which provides up to 16 asynchronous serial lines. Output used DMA (with each line having its own buffer pointer and count); on input a 64-character FIFO buffer made over-runs unlikely.
As a UNIBUS device, it was usable on the PDP-11 and VAX computers. Although it first appeared very early on in the lifetime of the PDP-11, it was extremely powerful and flexible, and remained an option for a very long time.
The parameters for each line:
- separate input and output baud rates
- character length (5-8 bits)
- stop bits (1, 1-1/2 and 2)
- parity (odd, even, none)
could be set dynamically (unlike, for example, the DJ11, which set parameters for groups of lines using jumpers)
Fourteen supported baud rates ranged from 50 to 9600, along with 0 (to disable a line); two additional speeds were available with optional clock FLIP CHIPs. A 'break' condition on the line (i.e. continuous assertion) could also be generated and detected.
For modem control, a single DM11-BB Modem Control Option per DH11, mounted in the main DH11 backplane along with the rest of the DH11 cards, was required. (The DM11-BB is logically a separate device, albeit one housed in the DH11.)
Contents
Initial implementation
The original implementation took an entire double system unit, containing multiple cards (see list below). It came in 'earlier' and 'later' versions.
In the 'early' versions, modular 'line conditioning' units from the DF11 Communications Line Adapter series allowed support of either 20mA or EIA RS-232 serial lines; these were installed in a separate rack-mounted dual-height backplane (which required its own independent power supply).
The available line conditioning units included the DM11-DA (20mA line conditioning) and the DM11-DB (EIA, no modem conrol). Each supported four lines; thus, with these, line conditioning could be mixed in groups of four. The 'early' version with the DM11-BB connected to four DM11-DC's.
In the 'later' units, line conditioning was performed by boards mounted in the main DH11 backplane, and a rack-mounted passive H317-B distribution panel provided connectors for individual lines.
These 'later' versions only supported EIA-type line conditioning (with or without modem control); to add modem control, a different implementation of the DM11-BB was required (one which did the EIA level conversion on the control lines internally).
Versions
The 'early' versions of the DH11 were:
- DH11-AA - Basic unit (110VAC), requires DM11-D's in addition
- DH11-AB - Telegraph line version (see below)
- DH11-AC - Basic unit (220VAC), requires DM11-D's in addition
The 'later' versions were:
- DH11-AD - EIA level conversion, modem control
- DH11-AE - EIA level conversion, no modem control
For the telegraph line option, the line conditioning backplane and its power supply were omitted, and up to two DH11's were connected to a DC08CS Telegraph Converter Panel.
Main unit
The 'basic' DH11 included the following hex-width boards:
- M7277 - Transmit scanner
- M7278 - Registers and byte count
- M7288 - Line parameters control
- M7289 - Receiver scanner
a dual-width and two quads:
- M7279 - FIFO buffer
- M7280 (2) - Octal UARTs
and a number of single-width cards:
- M4540 - Crystal clock
- M7360 - Priority selector
- M796 - UNIBUS master control
- M7821 (2) - Interrupt control (transmit. receive, and NPR)
- M405 (optional; 2)
Board locations (as seen from the board insertion side of the backplane, not the wire-wrap pin side, as is common in DEC documentation) are:
| Connector | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slot | A | B | C | D | E | F |
| 1 | UNIBUS In | Reserved for DM11-BB | ||||
| 2 | M7821 | M796 | Reserved for DM11-BB | |||
| 3 | M7278 | |||||
| 4 | M7277 | |||||
| 5 | M7289 | |||||
| 6 | M7821 | M405 (optional) | M7280 | |||
| 7 | M7360 | M971 (cable) | M7280 | |||
| 8 | M7288 | |||||
| 9 | UNIBUS Out | M7279 | M405 (optional) | M4540 | ||
An optional M794 maintenance card could be plugged into the slot normally used by the M971, for testing.
The 'later' versions of the DH11 both included:
- M5906 EIA conversion module
which occupied a dual slot (used by an M7360 Priority Selector card and an M971 Cable Connector card, used to connect the DH11 to the line conditioning units, in the 'early' versions).
The -AD version, which included a 'later' DM11-BB for modem control, also used:
- M7807 - Mux and Bus Control
- M7808 - Mux and Modem Scan Control
These boards fitted into the same slots occupied by the DM11-BB boards in the 'early' versions.
Line conditioning boards
The line conditioning units, mounted in the separate backplane used in the 'early' versions, included, in the DM11-DA:
- M596 - TTL to 20mA Level Converter (4 channels each)
- M973 - Mate-N-Lok header
and in the DM11-DB:
- M594 - TTL to EIA Level Converter (4 channels each)
- W404 - DTR Jumper card
The DM11-DC used only the M594.
Distribution panels
The rack-mounted passive distribution panel initially used in the 'later' versions was the H317-B distribution panel, which mounted directly into a standard 19" rack, and contained 16 DB-25P connectors.
It was connected to the DH11 with a pair of BC08S cables, which carried the 'main' signals (data, etc - i.e. non-modem control); these cables were thus required for both 'later' versions. For the modem control signals (Carrier Detect, etc) used with the DH11-AD, four BC08R cables were used.
Later, the H3007 8-line EIA distribution panel, designed for use in later DEC cabinets with improved EMI characteristics, was introduced; the H3007 fits into the standard panel 21cm x 10cm cutout found in these systems.
Design flaw
Some time after it was introduced, it became apparent that there was a design flaw associated with the 'silo alarm' functionality. This mechanism allowed increased processing efficiency by allowing multiple input characters to be processed with a single interrupt; it involved a register (the 'Silo Alarm Level') which contained a count of the number of characters required in the input buffer (the 'silo') before an interrupt was generated.
The problem is that if less characters than that arrive, and then no more, an interrupt is never generated. So, code which uses higher levels for the silo alarm has to periodically check to see if less characters than that have arrived, and are waiting.
(Apparently, the designer admitted that this was a flaw; he indicated that there should have been a timer, such that after the first character entered the silo, if the silo was still non-empty after the timer ran out, an interrupt would be generated.)
Later implementations
The DH11 was later re-implemented as the DHU11, which was mostly programmatically identical, but fitted on a single hex-height card, which plugged into a MUD slot.
For the QBUS, the DHV11 and DHQ11 (again, programmatically identical) appeared; they only supported 8 lines (via two quad breakout panels) each, however.
