PDP-8 Memory Extension units

All the models of the PDP-8 family have (mostly optional) Memory Extension units, which use bank switching to allow more than one PDP-8 address space worth of main memory to be installed and used. Although the implementation of the various units differs, they are generally all program compatible.

Discussion of the Memory Extension units uses a second special term used of PDP-8 main memory, in addition to the PDP-8-specific term 'page': 'field'. This refers to a block of 8K words (one PDP-8 address space) of main memory. The Memory Extension units allow the use of multiple 'fields' of main memory, the exact number depending on the model:

Model	Extension unit	Maximum fields	Comment
PDP-8	Type 183 Memory Extension Control	8
PDP-8/I	MC8/I Memory Extension Control	8
PDP-8/L	MC8/L Memory Extension Control	2
PDP-8/E	KM8/E Memory Extension Option	8
PDP-8/A	KM8-A Extended Option - Memory Extension	8
PDP-8/A	KT8-A Memory Management Control	32

In a memory cycle, the field number is sent down bus lines, effectively as an extension of the address: the details differ from model to model. E.g. in the PDP-8/I, EA0 and EA1 select one of four controllers, while EA2 selects the high or low field on that controller; in the PDP-8/A, EMA0-EMA2 select the field.

Registers

The Memory Extension units have three registers (usually 3 bits wide) used to provide additional addresssing bits, to select the field, during the CPU's access to memory: the Instruction Field and associated Instruction Buffer Registers, and Data Field Register; used for (as the names suggest) instruction and data fetches. (The DF is only used for indirect data word fetches; direct data fetches - i.e. in the same page as the instruction - use the IF.) They could be loaded either manually from the front panel, or under program control (below). The IB contents were loaded into the IF by a jump or subroutine call instruction.

In addition, there are two other registers: the Save Field Register, a 6 bit wide register which holds the old contents of the Instruction Field and Data Field Registers when an interrupt occurs; and the Break Field Register, a 3 bit wide register used during data break DMA operations, to select the field those cycles go to.

Instructions

A group of added instructions are provided to give access to the registers in the Memory Extension unit, and thereby allow its control:

• Change Data Field (062N1, where 'N' is the desired value to be loaded)
• Change Instruction Field (062N2) - the name something of a misnomer, as it was actually the IB which was loaded
• 062N3 loads both registers
• Read Data Field (06214) - copies the DF to the AC
• Read Instruction Field (06224) - copies the DF to the AC
• Read Interrupt Buffer (06234) - copies the SRF to the AC
• Restore Memory Field (06244) - copies the SRF to the DF and IB registers

Note that the format of the Change Field instructions limits the maximum number of fields to 8. For the KT8-A Memory Management Control option, two more bits (sometimes referred to as the 'bank') are added to addresses, and the field registers are extended from 3 bits to 5; additional KT8-A Expanded Instructions are also added.

External links

• DEC-8E-HR2B-D-KM8 - KM8-E Memory Extension and Time-share Option Manual
• EK-KT08A-UG-001 - KT8-A Memory Management Control User's Guide