DJ11 Asynchronous 16-Line Multiplexer
The DJ11 asynchronous serial line interface is a UNIBUS peripheral which provides up to 16 asynchronous serial lines. Both input and output used programmed I/O; on input a 64-character FIFO buffer made over-runs unlikely. Modems were not supported.
It was less flexible than, and not as efficient as, the roughly contemporaneous DH11. It was effectively replaced by the DZ11, which was cheaper (it was a single hex board), and more flexible.
The DJ11 allowed support of either all 20mA or all EIA RS-232 serial lines, by means of a dual-width level converter board. The parameters for each line:
- separate input and output baud rates (75 to 9600)
- character length (5-8 bits)
- stop bits (1, 1-1/2 and 2)
- parity (odd, even, none)
could only be set with jumpers, in groups of four lines. A 'break' condition on the line (i.e. continuous assertion) could also be generated and detected.
Implementation
The implementation took a single custom system unit backplane, containing multiple cards (see list below).
Versions
The versions of the DJ11 were:
- DJ11-AA - EIA level conversion
- DJ11-AB - No level conversion (TTL levels)
- DJ11-AC - EIA level conversion
Boards
The DJ11 included the following boards:
- M7285 - Mux control (hex)
- M7279 - Receive silo (dual)
- M7280 (2) - Multiple UARTs (quad)
- M7821 - Interrupt control
- M105 - Address selection
The -AA, -AB and -AC versions of the DJ11 also included one:
- M5901 EIA conversion module
- M5900 TTL 'conversion' module
- M5902 20mA conversion module
respectively, which occupied a dual slot.
Distribution panels
The rack-mounted passive distribution panel used in the -AA EIA version was the H317-B distribution panel, which mounted directly into a standard 19" rack, and contained 16 DB-25P connectors. It was connected to the DJ11 with a pair of BC08S cables, which carried the 'main' signals (data, etc - i.e. non-modem control).
The -AC used an H317-A distribution panel, which had screw connectors.
