DR11-W Direct Memory Access Interface

DR11-W card

The DR11-W Direct Memory Access Interface was a parallel interface for the UNIBUS, one which used DMA to transfer data to a user device. It was a single hex card (the M8716) replacement for the earlier multi-card DR11-B parallel interface. The DR11-W is somewhat program compatible with the DR11-B.

By appropriate manipulation of the control lines (below), the user device can do byte or word cycles on the bus, perform read-modify-write bus cycles, or do block 'burst' bus transfers. The DR11-W can also be operated by programmed I/O, potentially via interrupts.

Like the DR11-B, the interface between the DR11-W and the user device uses a number of unidirectional control lines (below), which control data transfer; and sets of three 'status' and 'control' lines, which appear in the Status and Command Register. Data going to the user device is buffered in a set of latches; data coming from the user device is also buffered, and is sampled and latched when i) the input buffer register (below) is read, or ii) either 'Cycle Request' input line is asserted.

The register addresses, interrupt vector, and other configuration (e.g. the polarity of the BUSY signal) are selected by setting DIP switches on the card.

Registers

Register	Abbreviation	Address
Word Count Register	DRWC	772410
Bus Address Register	DRBA	772412
Control and Status Register	DRCSR	772414
Error and Information Register	DREIR	772414
Data Buffer Register	DRDB	772416

Writes to the CSR/EIR address are always sent to the CSR. The result of a read depends on the setting of the Register Select bit, which is set by a write to the CSR.

The addresses shown are for the first DR11-W in a system; additional ones are normally set to be at 772430, 772450, 772470, etc.

In the register contents (below), bits which are read/write or unused are shown in normal font, those which are read-only are in italics, and write-only in bold.

772410: Word Count Register (DRWC)

WC15 <---> WC00
15	14	13	12	11	10	09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00

Bit 0 is read-only, and is provided by the connected user device.

772412: Bus Address Register (DRBA)

BA15 <---> BA00
15	14	13	12	11	10	09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00

Bit 0 is read-only, and is provided by the connected user device.

772414: Control and Status Register (DRCSR)

ERROR/REGSEL	NXM	ATTN	MAINT	STAT A-C			CYCLE	READY	IE	XBA16-17		FUNC1-3			REGSEL/GO
15	14	13	12	11	10	09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00

772414: Error and Information Register (DREIR)

ERROR	NXM	ATTN	MCR	ACLO	PAR	BRTE	NBS	Unused							REGSEL
15	14	13	12	11	10	09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00

772416: Data Buffer Register (DRDB)

Data15 <---> Data00
15	14	13	12	11	10	09	08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00

This is actually a pair of registers; a read-only input buffer register, and a write-only output buffer register.

Implementation

Connection to the user's device is via a pair of 40-pin Berg connector headers, into which flat cables (such as BC06R's) plug. For diagnostic purposes, a BC05L cable can be used to loop the device's input and output together.

Both receivers and drivers are single-ended, so for best results the DR11-W and the user's device should share a ground.

External links

• DR11-W Direct Memory Interface Module User's Guide (EK-DR11W-UG-001)
• DR11-W Direct Memory Access Interface Module User's Guide (EK-DR11W-UG-004)
• DR11-W Field Maintenance Print Set (MP00693)