Difference between revisions of "LINC-8"

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(The PDP-8 CPU model CPU in the LINC-8 was an original PDP-8)
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Special [[interrupt]]-driven code ('PROGOFOP' - 'program of operation') in the PDP-8 allowed code running in the LINC access to PDP-8 resources; the PDP-8 likewise had access to the resources of the LINC (e.g. the display). When the PDP-8 was in control, the LINC was halted until the PDP-8 wanted something done, whereupon an interrupt started the LINC running, to perform the desired action.
 
Special [[interrupt]]-driven code ('PROGOFOP' - 'program of operation') in the PDP-8 allowed code running in the LINC access to PDP-8 resources; the PDP-8 likewise had access to the resources of the LINC (e.g. the display). When the PDP-8 was in control, the LINC was halted until the PDP-8 wanted something done, whereupon an interrupt started the LINC running, to perform the desired action.
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Like its PDP-8, the LINC of the LINC-8 was also constructed of discrete [[transistor]] [[FLIP CHIP]]s, mostly R- and S-series, in [[DEC card form factor|standard-length single-height]] (width) format, with a few dual-height.
  
 
It was later replaced as a product for DEC by the [[PDP-12]], which had the same functionality in a more integrated form.  
 
It was later replaced as a product for DEC by the [[PDP-12]], which had the same functionality in a more integrated form.  
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[[Category: Personal Computers]]
 
[[Category: Personal Computers]]
 
[[Category: PDP-8s]]
 
[[Category: PDP-8s]]
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[[Category: 12-bit Computers]]

Latest revision as of 13:46, 11 July 2023

The LINC-8 was a computer produced by DEC for use in laboratory settings; it included both a PDP-8 (the original model's CPU) and a LINC computer, which shared access to the PDP-8's main memory (the LINC acted as a DMA peripheral to the PDP-8, using the PDP-8 data break mechanism). A combined front panel allowed control of both CPUs.

Like the LINC, it included a video display (512x512 pixels resolution, but not a bit-mapped display), analog inputs, and LINC tape drives (all attached to the LINC); it could also include any of the standard PDP-8 peripherals (attached to the PDP-8).

Special interrupt-driven code ('PROGOFOP' - 'program of operation') in the PDP-8 allowed code running in the LINC access to PDP-8 resources; the PDP-8 likewise had access to the resources of the LINC (e.g. the display). When the PDP-8 was in control, the LINC was halted until the PDP-8 wanted something done, whereupon an interrupt started the LINC running, to perform the desired action.

Like its PDP-8, the LINC of the LINC-8 was also constructed of discrete transistor FLIP CHIPs, mostly R- and S-series, in standard-length single-height (width) format, with a few dual-height.

It was later replaced as a product for DEC by the PDP-12, which had the same functionality in a more integrated form.

Images

LINC-8 at the Retro-Computing Society of Rhode Island

External links