Difference between revisions of "DTE20 Ten-Eleven Interface"
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| − | The '''DTE20 Ten-Eleven Interface''' (also called the '''DTE20 Console Processor Interface''') is a [[peripheral]] on [[KL10]] [[Central Processing Unit|CPUs]] which allows a [[PDP-11]] to act as a [[front end]]. Depending on how the DTE20 is configured ('restricted' or 'privileged') , it can be just for off-loading [[input/output|I/O]] functionality to the PDP-11 (both to reduce the load on the main CPU, but also to allow access to the wide range of peripherals supported on the PDP-11), or it can also function as a control and [[diagnostic]] system for the main CPU: loading [[microcode]], [[bootstrap]]ping, etc. | + | The '''DTE20 Ten-Eleven Interface''' (also called the '''DTE20 Console Processor Interface''') is a [[peripheral]] on [[KL10]] [[Central Processing Unit|CPUs]] which allows a [[PDP-11]] to act as a [[front end]]. Depending on how the DTE20 is configured ('restricted' or 'privileged'), it can be just for off-loading [[input/output|I/O]] functionality to the PDP-11 (both to reduce the load on the main CPU, but also to allow access to the wide range of peripherals supported on the PDP-11), or it can also function as a control and [[diagnostic]] system for the main CPU: loading [[microcode]], [[bootstrap]]ping, etc. |
The PDP-11 and KL10 are able to examine each other's [[main memory]] (limited on the KL10 side for restricted DTE20's), and [[interrupt]] each other. | The PDP-11 and KL10 are able to examine each other's [[main memory]] (limited on the KL10 side for restricted DTE20's), and [[interrupt]] each other. | ||
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The DTE20 is connected to the EBox of the KL10 via the EBus; privileged DTE20's also have access to the KL10's diagnostic bus. To the PDP-11, it appears as a normal [[UNIBUS]] peripheral. | The DTE20 is connected to the EBox of the KL10 via the EBus; privileged DTE20's also have access to the KL10's diagnostic bus. To the PDP-11, it appears as a normal [[UNIBUS]] peripheral. | ||
| − | + | A 'restricted' DTE20 consists of a pair of [[DEC card form factor|hex]] boards (M8552, M85553) and a dual card (M8554), plugged into an I/O backplane of the KL10 (along with the [[RH20 MASSBUS controller|RH20s]]). These are connected to a [[UNIBUS]] connector mounted lower down in that rack, and a [[BC11A UNIBUS cable|BC11A]] cable from the PDP-11 (usually a [[PDP-11/40]]) plugs into that. | |
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 16:58, 14 October 2021
The DTE20 Ten-Eleven Interface (also called the DTE20 Console Processor Interface) is a peripheral on KL10 CPUs which allows a PDP-11 to act as a front end. Depending on how the DTE20 is configured ('restricted' or 'privileged'), it can be just for off-loading I/O functionality to the PDP-11 (both to reduce the load on the main CPU, but also to allow access to the wide range of peripherals supported on the PDP-11), or it can also function as a control and diagnostic system for the main CPU: loading microcode, bootstrapping, etc.
The PDP-11 and KL10 are able to examine each other's main memory (limited on the KL10 side for restricted DTE20's), and interrupt each other.
A KL10 may have up to 4 DTE20's, and a PDP-11 may host up to 4 DTE20's on different kL10's.
Implementation
The DTE20 is connected to the EBox of the KL10 via the EBus; privileged DTE20's also have access to the KL10's diagnostic bus. To the PDP-11, it appears as a normal UNIBUS peripheral.
A 'restricted' DTE20 consists of a pair of hex boards (M8552, M85553) and a dual card (M8554), plugged into an I/O backplane of the KL10 (along with the RH20s). These are connected to a UNIBUS connector mounted lower down in that rack, and a BC11A cable from the PDP-11 (usually a PDP-11/40) plugs into that.
External links
- DTE20 Ten-Eleven Interface Unit Description
- KL10-Based Physical Description - contains images of DTE20 backplanes and wiring, pp. 3-7-3-11; board configuration, pp. 3-27,3-28
