PDP-8/A: Difference between revisions
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The '''PDP-8/A''' was [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]]'s last non-[[microprocessor]] [[PDP-8]]. The [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] was a single [[DEC card form factor|hex]] board, which plugged into an [[OMNIBUS]] [[backplane]]. | {{Infobox Machine | ||
| name = PDP-8/A | |||
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| image = PDP 8 e Trondheim.jpg | |||
| caption = PDP-8/E front panel | |||
| ram = Maximum of 32 kwords in eight 4 kword banks | |||
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| year introduced = 1976 | |||
| form factor = [[minicomputer]] | |||
| word size = 12 | |||
| physical address = 32KW (requires optional KM8-A) | |||
| virtual address = 4KW | |||
| logic type = [[Transistor-transistor logic|TTL]] | |||
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| design type = [[clock]]ed random [[logic]] | |||
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| clock speed = 333KHz | |||
| memory speed = 1.5 µseconds | |||
| bus arch = [[OMNIBUS]] | |||
| memory mgmt = bank selection, CPU mode | |||
| operating system = [[OS/8]], [[TSS/8]] | |||
| predecessor = [[PDP-8/E]] | |||
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| successor = [[]] | |||
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}} | |||
The '''PDP-8/A''' was [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]]'s last non-[[microprocessor]] [[PDP-8]]. The KK8-A [[Central Processing Unit|CPU]] was a single [[DEC card form factor|hex]] board, which plugged into an [[OMNIBUS]] [[backplane]]. It supported both [[core memory|core]] [[main memory]] (MM8-AA and MM8-AB) and [[semiconductor]] (MS8-A). | |||
There were a number of options available for use with the -8/A, including: | There were a number of options available for use with the -8/A, including: | ||
* KM8-A Extended Option - main memory extension and [[time-sharing]] control, etc | |||
* FPP8/A Floating Point Processor | |||
* DKC8-AA - front panel control, real-time [[clock]], [[asynchronous serial line]] interface, etc | * DKC8-AA - front panel control, real-time [[clock]], [[asynchronous serial line]] interface, etc | ||
The FPP8/A used two hex boards; it was not part of the CPU, but uses [[Direct Memory Access|DMA]] for its [[instruction]]s and data. Its [[floating point]] format provided three and six [[word]] formats, with 12 bits of exponent; it also supported two-word integers. | |||
The -8/A could use either an Operator's Panel, or a Programmer's Panel (similar to the [[KY11-LB Programmer's Console|KY11-LB]]); the latter required the DKC8-AA. | The -8/A could use either an Operator's Panel, or a Programmer's Panel (similar to the [[KY11-LB Programmer's Console|KY11-LB]]); the latter required the DKC8-AA. | ||
Revision as of 16:04, 3 September 2018
| PDP-8/A | |
| Year Introduced: | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Form Factor: | minicomputer |
| Word Size: | 12 |
| Logic Type: | TTL |
| Clock Speed: | 333KHz |
| Memory Speed: | 1.5 µseconds |
| Physical Address Size: | 32KW (requires optional KM8-A) |
| Virtual Address Size: | 4KW |
| Memory Management: | bank selection, CPU mode |
| Bus Architecture: | OMNIBUS |
| Operating System: | OS/8, TSS/8 |
| Predecessor(s): | PDP-8/E |
The PDP-8/A was DEC's last non-microprocessor PDP-8. The KK8-A CPU was a single hex board, which plugged into an OMNIBUS backplane. It supported both core main memory (MM8-AA and MM8-AB) and semiconductor (MS8-A).
There were a number of options available for use with the -8/A, including:
- KM8-A Extended Option - main memory extension and time-sharing control, etc
- FPP8/A Floating Point Processor
- DKC8-AA - front panel control, real-time clock, asynchronous serial line interface, etc
The FPP8/A used two hex boards; it was not part of the CPU, but uses DMA for its instructions and data. Its floating point format provided three and six word formats, with 12 bits of exponent; it also supported two-word integers.
The -8/A could use either an Operator's Panel, or a Programmer's Panel (similar to the KY11-LB); the latter required the DKC8-AA.
The -8/A came either as a kit of boards, or as a complete system including a chassis, power supply and backplane; in the latter form, there was a list of different configurations.
| v • d • e PDP-8 Computers, Software and Peripherals |
|---|
| PDP-8s: PDP-5 • PDP-8 • LINC-8 • PDP-8/S • PDP-8/I • PDP-8/L • PDP-12 • PDP-8/E • PDP-8/F • PDP-8/M • PDP-8/A
Workstations: VT78 Also: PDP-8 family • PDP-8 architecture • PDP-8 Memory Extension units |
