BA23 Enclosure

BA23 Enclosure Pedestal Version (MicroVAX)

The BA23 Enclosure is a QBUS mounting box from DEC which is available in pedestal, table-top, and rack mount versions. There is also a 'bigger brother', the BA123 enclosure.

The BA23 is the successor to the BA11-M QBUS mounting box.

The BA23 enclosure is famous for the risk to skin one's knuckles - it is packed inside very tightly.

BA23 Usage

The BA23 enclosure was used for the following DEC PDP-11, VAXstation, and MicroVAX computers:

• PDP-11/23+
• PDP-11/53
• PDP-11/73
• PDP-11/83
• PDP-11/93

• MicroVAX I
• VAXstation I
• MicroVAX II
• VAXstation II
• VAXstation 3200

Some versions of the computers listed above were also available in the BA123 enclosure, or in the H9642 Medium System Cabinet.

The H9642 Medium System Cabinet contains two BA23 enclosures, one 'Standard' BA23-A, and one 'Expander' BA23-C.

In the cabinet both BA23 enclosures are connected with a BCV2A 'Qbus expansion cable and terminator BA23A to BA23C' to provide a large Qbus configuration.

BA23 Mass Storage Device Areas

BA23 Mass Storage Locations A & B

The BA23 can hold full-height and half-height 13.3 cm (5.25 in) mass storage devices, depending on the system.

You can install one RD5x-series fixed-disk drive and one removable-media drive — an RX50 diskette drive or a TK50 tape drive. You cannot install two full-height, fixed-disk drives due to power limitations.

You can connect external drives to the system’s I/O distribution panel.

The number of drives you can use depends on the space available in the I/O panel and backplane, and the amount of power available to run the drive controllers.

BA23 Control Panel

The BA23 has either a 4- or 6-button control panel as follows:

BA23 4-Button Control Panel and PC Board (Example)

Systems with a 4-button control panel support only full-height mass storage devices.

BA23 6-Button Control Panel and PC Board (Example)

Systems with a 6-button control panel support either full-height or half-height devices.

BA23 Signal Distribution Panel

BA23 Signal Distribution Panel

The signal distribution panel carries signals from an RQDX1, RQDX2, or RQDX3 controller module in the Q22-bus backplane to the mass storage devices.

BA23 H9278 Backplane

BA23 H9278 Qbus Backplane Grant Continuity

The BA23 enclosure contains the H9278 Qbus backplane.

The picture shows the H9278 Qbus Backplane bus grant continuity.

Slots 1-3 are Q/CD; slots 4-8 are Q/Q

BA23 Internal Cabling

BA23 Internal Cabling (Example)

BA23 H7864 Power Supply

BA23 H7864 Power Supply

There are three variations of the BA23 power supply, depending on the enclosure model number: H7864, H7864A, or H7864B.

The power supply regulators maintain proper output voltages against temporary fluctuations in the ac input to the power supply.

The power supply is a 230 W unit. It supplies +5 Vdc at 4.5 amps (A) to 36.0 A, and +12 Vdc at 0.0 A to 7.0 A to the following system components:

• Backplane
• Fixed-disk drive
• Diskette drive or tape drive

The power supply also sends three system control signals to the backplane, asserting two of these signals (BDCOK H and BPOK H) when the system power is stable. The third signal (BEVENT L) is an external line clock interrupt request to the CPU. The LTC switch on the control panel PC board enables the BEVENT signal.

The power supply also has two +10 Vdc at 0.45 A fan outputs for the front and rear dc fans. You can increase the fan voltages to +12 Vdc by changing a power supply jumper. The KA630 CPU module’s thermal and acoustical specifications for example, are based on the +10 volt setting. The required fan power does not affect the 230 W output.

BA23 I/O Panel

BA23 I/O Panel Adapter plate with typical type A and B inserts

You use the I/O panel to connect external devices to the system.

Each device connects to a module in the system through a filtered connector.

You mount the connector on an insert, then install the insert in a cutout on the I/O panel.

Filtered connectors and inserts are part of the option’s cabinet kit.

Usually, the CPU insert is installed in the top (or left) cutout.

The I/O panel has six cutouts in two sizes, types A and B.

BA23 I/O Panel Cutout and Insert Sizes
Type	Quantity	C/I	Inches	Millimeters
A	2	Cutout	0.6 x 3.2	15 x 81
A	2	Insert	1.0 x 4.0	25 x 102
B	4	Cutout	2.25 x 3.2	57 x 81
B	4	Insert	2.5 x 3.3	64 x 84

You can install three more type A inserts by removing the bracket between the third and fourth cutouts and installing an adapter plate.

External links

• BA23 Enclosure Maintenance (EK-186AA-MG-001)