Difference between revisions of "DX10 Data Channel"
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| − | The '''DX10 Data Channel''' was an adapter which could interface between [[Original Equipment Manufacturer|OEM]]-produced [[peripheral]]s and a [[PDP-10]], using the PDP-10's [[PDP-10 Memory Bus]] and [[PDP-10 I/O Bus]]. (So, it could be connected to [[KA10]]s and [[KI10]]s, but only to [[KL10]]s with the optional old-style Memory and I/O [[bus]]ses (provided by the [[DMA20 Memory Bus Adapter]] and [[DIA20 IBus Adapter]], respectively.) The DX10 can also use an [[MX10 Memory Multiplexer]]. | + | The '''DX10 Data Channel''' was an adapter which could interface between [[Original Equipment Manufacturer|OEM]]-produced [[peripheral]]s, and a [[PDP-10]], using the PDP-10's [[PDP-10 Memory Bus]] and [[PDP-10 I/O Bus]]. (So, it could be connected to [[KA10]]s and [[KI10]]s, but only to [[KL10]]s with the optional old-style Memory and I/O [[bus]]ses (provided by the [[DMA20 Memory Bus Adapter]] and [[DIA20 IBus Adapter]], respectively.) The DX10 can also use an [[MX10 Memory Multiplexer]]. |
The original intended configuration was with a [[TX01 Tape Control Unit]], along with one or more (up to eight, maximum) [[TU70]] or [[TU71]] [[magnetic tape drive]]s; the ensemble was designated a 'TU70 Magnetic Tape Subsystem' (or 'TU71' as appropriate). | The original intended configuration was with a [[TX01 Tape Control Unit]], along with one or more (up to eight, maximum) [[TU70]] or [[TU71]] [[magnetic tape drive]]s; the ensemble was designated a 'TU70 Magnetic Tape Subsystem' (or 'TU71' as appropriate). | ||
| − | The 'channel bus' between the DX10 and the TX01 is apparently an [[ | + | The 'channel bus' between the DX10 and the TX01 is apparently an [[IBM I/O channel]] bus, but the DX10 documentation does not say so explicitly. |
<!-- It can act as either a channel controller or a control unit on the channel bus. When operated as a control unit, in theory it could have been used to attach a [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] machine to a [[IBM System/370]] (appearing as a device to the /370). --> | <!-- It can act as either a channel controller or a control unit on the channel bus. When operated as a control unit, in theory it could have been used to attach a [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] machine to a [[IBM System/370]] (appearing as a device to the /370). --> | ||
==Implementation== | ==Implementation== | ||
| − | The DX10 is built around a [[PDP-8/A]] [[microprocessor]]; the PDP-8/A uses an OMNIBUS]] to talk to its sub-systems, and is enhanced with off-board logic to implement a number of IOT [[instruction]] operations specific to the TU70 Magnetic Tape Subsystem application. The PDP-8's code is held in a normal PDP-8 4K [[Random Access Memory|RAM]], the 'control storage memory', and was loaded into the DX10 by the host [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] after power-on. (The host PDP-10 can start and stop the PDP-8, and read and write its internal memory, and DX10 internal registers.) There is also an Internal Bus (IBUS) used to communicate between the sub-systems in the DX10. | + | The DX10 is built around a [[PDP-8/A]] [[microprocessor]]; the PDP-8/A uses an [[OMNIBUS]] to talk to its sub-systems, and is enhanced with off-board logic to implement a number of IOT [[instruction]] operations specific to the TU70 Magnetic Tape Subsystem application. The PDP-8's code is held in a normal PDP-8 4K [[Random Access Memory|RAM]], the 'control storage memory', and was loaded into the DX10 by the host [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] after power-on. (The host PDP-10 can start and stop the PDP-8, and read and write its internal memory, and DX10 internal registers.) There is also an Internal Bus (IBUS) used to communicate between the sub-systems in the DX10. |
The DX10 was composed of seven major sub-systems: | The DX10 was composed of seven major sub-systems: | ||
Revision as of 01:57, 23 January 2024
The DX10 Data Channel was an adapter which could interface between OEM-produced peripherals, and a PDP-10, using the PDP-10's PDP-10 Memory Bus and PDP-10 I/O Bus. (So, it could be connected to KA10s and KI10s, but only to KL10s with the optional old-style Memory and I/O busses (provided by the DMA20 Memory Bus Adapter and DIA20 IBus Adapter, respectively.) The DX10 can also use an MX10 Memory Multiplexer.
The original intended configuration was with a TX01 Tape Control Unit, along with one or more (up to eight, maximum) TU70 or TU71 magnetic tape drives; the ensemble was designated a 'TU70 Magnetic Tape Subsystem' (or 'TU71' as appropriate).
The 'channel bus' between the DX10 and the TX01 is apparently an IBM I/O channel bus, but the DX10 documentation does not say so explicitly.
Implementation
The DX10 is built around a PDP-8/A microprocessor; the PDP-8/A uses an OMNIBUS to talk to its sub-systems, and is enhanced with off-board logic to implement a number of IOT instruction operations specific to the TU70 Magnetic Tape Subsystem application. The PDP-8's code is held in a normal PDP-8 4K RAM, the 'control storage memory', and was loaded into the DX10 by the host CPU after power-on. (The host PDP-10 can start and stop the PDP-8, and read and write its internal memory, and DX10 internal registers.) There is also an Internal Bus (IBUS) used to communicate between the sub-systems in the DX10.
The DX10 was composed of seven major sub-systems:
- PDP-8 and its sub-systems
- Memory Bus Register and Control
- Channel Command Register
- Data Channel
- I/O Bus interface
- Data Channel Interface
- Channel Bus Interface
These are held mostly on seven hex boards, and two quad boards:
- M8315 PDP-8/A CPU
- M8311 PDP-8 4KW RAM (quad)
- M8317 PDP-8 ROM Bootstrap Loader
- 2 x M8595 Memory Bus Interface
- M8596 Channel Bus Interface (quad)
- M8597 PDP-8/A Interface
- M8598 I/O and Memory Control
- M8599 Byte Assembly Logic
and a number of single-width bus interface cards:
- 4 x M564 I/O Bus Receiver
- 4 x M664 I/O Bus Driver
They plugged into a pair of system unit-sized backplanes (a 4-slot and a 9-slot), mounted in a separate cabinet (an H950) along with the power supply.
See also
External links
- DX10 Data Channel Maintenance Manual (EK-DX10-MM-001)
