Difference between revisions of "PDP-8/A"

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(a few more details about options)
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| predecessor = [[PDP-8/E]]
 
| predecessor = [[PDP-8/E]]
 
| successor = None
 
| successor = None
| price = US$2.6K (CPU and 4KW memory)
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| price = US$2.6K (CPU. 4KW memory, Operator's Panel)
 
}}
 
}}
  
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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
+
* KM8-A Extended Option - main memory extension, [[time-sharing]] control, [[bootstrap]] [[read-only memory|ROM]], etc
 +
* DKC8-AA - [[front panel]] control, [[real-time clock]], [[asynchronous serial line]] interface, [[parallel port]], etc
 
* [[FPP8/A Floating Point Processor]]
 
* [[FPP8/A Floating Point Processor]]
* DKC8-AA - front panel control, real-time [[clock]], [[asynchronous serial line]] interface, etc
 
  
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 KC8-AA Programmer's Panel (similar to the [[KY11-LB Programmer's Console|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.
 
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.

Revision as of 01:26, 28 January 2019


PDP-8/A
Manufacturer: DEC
Architecture: PDP-8
Year Introduced: 1976
Form Factor: minicomputer
Word Size: 12
Logic Type: TTL
Clock Speed: 666KHz
Memory Speed: 2.3 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
Successor(s): None
Price: US$2.6K (CPU. 4KW memory, Operator's Panel)


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:

The -8/A could use either an Operator's Panel, or a KC8-AA 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.