PDP-8/A

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PDP-8/A
PDP-8'A-400.jpg
PDP-8/A-400
Manufacturer: DEC
Architecture: PDP-8
Year Introduced: 1976
Form Factor: minicomputer
Word Size: 12
Logic Type: TTL
Clock Speed: 666KHz
Memory Speed: 2.3 µseconds
Physical Address Size: 32KW (requires optional KM8-A)
Virtual Address Size: 4KW
Memory Management: bank selection, CPU mode
Bus Architecture: OMNIBUS
Operating System: OS/8, TSS/8
Predecessor(s): PDP-8/E
Successor(s): None
Price: US$2.6K (CPU. 4KW memory, Operator's Panel)


The PDP-8/A was DEC's last non-microprocessor PDP-8. The KK8-A CPU was a single hex board (M8315), which plugged into an OMNIBUS backplane. It supported both core main memory (MM8-AA, H219A/G649; and MM8-AB, H219B/G650) and semiconductor (MS8-A, M8311).

There were a number of options available for use with the -8/A, including:

The -8/A could use either an Operator's Panel, or a KC8-AA Programmer's Panel (similar to the KY11-LB); the latter required the DKC8-AA.

The -8/A came either as a kit of boards, or as a complete system including a chassis, power supply and backplane; in the latter form, there was a list of different configurations.

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