Usenet 1994 January/usenetsourcesnewsgroupsinfomagicjanuary1994.iso/answers/dec-faq/pdp8-models

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Newsgroups: alt.sys.pdp8,alt.answers,news.answers
Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!usc!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!news.uiowa.edu!news
From: [e-mail] (Douglas W. Jones)
Subject: PDP-8 Summary of Models and Options (posted every other month)
Summary: Descriptions of all models of the DEC PDP-8 computer.
    Those posting to alt.sys.pdp8 should read this.
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Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1993 08:08:08 GMT
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Archive-name: dec-faq/pdp8-models
Last-modified: Oct 8, 1993

Frequently Asked Questions about DEC PDP-8 models and options.

    By Douglas Jones, [e-mail]
    (with help from many folks)


Sites known to carry FTPable copies of this file:

    rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/alt.sys.pdp8
    sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/academic/computer-science/history/pdp-8/doc


Contents

    What is this FAQ?
    What is a PDP-5?
    What is a PDP-8?
    What is a LINC-8?
    What is a PDP-8/S?
    What is a PDP-8/I?
    What is a PDP-8/L?
    What is a PDP-12?
    What is a PDP-8/E?
    What is a PDP-8/F?
    What is a PDP-8/M?
    What is a PDP-8/A?
    What is a VT78?
    What is a DECmate I?
    What is a DECmate II?
    What is a DECmate III?
    What is a DECmate III+?


What is this FAQ?

    The purpose of this document is to supplement the material in the
    primary "Frequently Asked Questions about the PDP-8" file with
    more detailed information about the hardware and options of the
    different models of the PDP-8 sold by DEC.

    Although this document is something of a history of the DEC PDP-8
    family, the primary purpose of this document is as a guide and
    general outline to the PDP-8 models and options likely to be
    encountered by those involved in collecting and restoring systems.


What is a PDP-5?
    Date of introduction:  Aug 11, 1963, unveiled at WESCON.
    Date of withdrawal:    early 1967.
    Price: $27,000

    Technology:  Built with DEC System Modules, the original line of
        transistorized logic modules sold by DEC.  Supply voltages
        of +10 and -15 volts; the logic levels -3 (logic 1) and
        0 (logic 0).  Logic packaged on boards that were about 4.75
        inches wide with each card mounted in a metal frame with
        a 22 pin edge connector.

        Input output devices were connected to the daisy-chained
        I/O bus using military-style armored cables and connectors.
        Use of toggle switches (as opposed to slide switches) on
        the front panel was another vestige of military-style design.

    Reason for introduction:  This machine was inspired by the success
        of the CDC-160, Seymour Cray's 12 bit minicomputer, and by
        the success of the LINC, a machine that was built by DEC
        customers out of System modules.  These demonstrated that
        there was a market for a small inexpensive computer, and
        from the start, DEC's advertisements were aimed at this
        market.  "Now you can own the PDP-5 computer for what a
        core memory alone used to cost: $27,000", ran one 1964 ad.

    Reason for withdrawal:  The PDP-8 outperformed the PDP-5, and did
        so for a lower price.

    Compatability:  The core of the PDP-8 instruction set is present,
        but memory location zero is the program counter, and
        interrupts are handled differently.  The Group 1 OPR rotate
        instructions cannot be combined with IAC or CMA; this limits
        the ability of the PDP-5 to support code from later models.

        The machine did not support 3 cycle data-break (DMA transfers
        using memory to hold buffer address and word-count
        information), so many later PDP-8 peripherals could not
        be used on the PDP-5.  In addition, DMA transfers are not
        allowed outside the program's current 4K data field, severely
        limiting software compatability on systems with over 4K of
        memory where either interrupts or software initiated changes
        to the data field during a transfer would cause chaos.

    Standard configuration:  CPU with 1K or 4K of memory (2K and 3K
        versions were not available).

    Peripherals:

        An extended arithmetic element (EAE) was available; this was
        an I/O device, using IOT instructions to evoke EAE operations.
        As a result, it was not compatable with the later PDP-8 EAEs.
        In addition, machines with the EAE option had a different
        front panel from those without.

        The type 552 DECtape control and type 555 DECtape transports
        were originally developed for the PDP-5.

        After the PDP-8 was introduced, DEC offered a bus converter
        that allowed the PDP-5 to support standard PDP-8 negibus
        peripherals, so long as they avoided using 3-cycle data
        break transfers.  The standard 804 PDP-8 expander box was
        frequently sold as an upgrade to PDP-5 systems.


What is a PDP-8?
    Date of introduction:  1965 (Unveiled March 22, in New York)
    Date of withdrawal:    1968.
    Also known as:
        Classic PDP-8 (to point out lack of a model suffix)
        Straight-8 (Again, points out the lack of a model suffix)
        PCP-88, an OEM label, used Foxboro Corporation.
    Price: $18500

    Technology:  Mostly DEC R-series logic modules; these were originally
        discrete component transistor logic, but around the time
        the PDP-8 was introduced, DEC introduced the Flip Chip,
        a hybrid diode/resistor "integrated circuit" on a ceramic
        substrate.  These could directly replace discrete components
        on the PC boards, and DEC began to refer to their R-series
        modules as flip-chip modules and they even advertised the
        PDP-8 as an integrated circuit computer.  A typical flip-chip
        module, the R111, had three 2-input nand gates and cost $14,
        with no price change from 1965 to 1970.

        S-series logic modules were also used; these are essentially
        the same as their R-series cousins, but with different
        pull-up resistors for higher speed at lower fanout.  Many
        R and S series modules have trimmers that must be tuned to
        the context, making replacement of such modules more complex
        than a simple board swap.

        As with the system modules used in the PDP-5, the supply
        voltages were +10 and -15 volts and the logic levels were
        -3 (logic 1) and 0 (logic 0).  Logic was packaged on boards
        that were 2.5 inches wide by 5 inches high.  The card edge
        connector had 18 contacts on 1/8 inch centers.  Some double
        width cards were used; these had two card edge connectors
        and were 5 1/8 inches wide.  Machine wrapped wire-wrap
        technology was used on the backplane using 24-gauge wire.

        The "negibus" or negative logic I/O bus used -3 and 0 volt
        logic levels in 92 ohm coaxial cable, with 9 coaxial cables
        bundled per connector card and 6 bundles making up the basic
        bus.  4 (originally 5) more bundles were required to support
        data-break (DMA) transfers.  Bus termination was generally
        kluged in with 100 ohm resistors clipped or wrapped into the
        backplane, although a bus terminator card was occasionally
        used.  Some time after the first year of production, flat
        ribbon cable made of multiple coaxial cables was used, and
        later still, flat mylar stripline cable was used (but never
        recommended because it lacked necessary shielding).

        Core memory was used, with a 1.5 microsecond cycle time,
        giving the machine an add time of 3 microseconds.  4K of
        core occupied an aluminum box 6 inches on a side and needed
        numerous auxiliary flip-chips for support.  It is worth
        noting that the PDP-8 was about as fast as was practical
        with the logic technology used; only by using tricks like
        memory interleaving or pipelining could the machine have
        been made much faster.

    Reason for introduction:  This machine was inspired by the success
        of the PDP-5 and by the realization that, with their new
        Flip-Chip technology, DEC could make a table-top computer
        that could be powered by a single standard wall outlet;
        of course, adding any peripherals quickly increased the
        power requirement!

    Reason for withdrawal:  The PDP-8/I was less expensive, and after
        initial production difficulties, it equalled the performance
        of the PDP-8.

    Compatability:  The core of the PDP-8 instruction set is present,
        but the Group 1 OPR instruction IAC cannot be combined with
        any of the rotate instructions.  If RAR and RAL or RTR and
        RTL are combined, the results are unpredictable (simultaneous
        set and reset of bits of AC results in metastable behavior).
        The IOT 0 instruction was used for the internal type 189 ADC,
        and not for the later CAF (clear all flags) instruction.
        As a result, if the ADC option was not present, IOT 6004
        (or microcoded variants) would hang the machine.

        If the extended arithmetic element is present, the SWP
        (exchange AC and MQ) instruction does not work.  This
        works on later models when the EAE is present, although
        it was only documented with the introduction of the
        PDP-8/E.  Finally, the EAE lacks the SCL (shift count
        load) instruction that is present on later models.

        On machines with 8K or more, an attempt to change the
        data field to a non-existant field caused a bizarre double-
        indirect and skip instruction execution that must be
        accounted for in memory diagnostics.

    Standard configuration:  The PDP-8 was sold as a CPU with 4K of
        memory, a 110 baud current loop teletype interface and an
        ASR 33 Teletype.  In addition, the standard in-cabinet
        logic includes support for the full negibus interface,
        including data-break (DMA) transfers.

        Both a rack-mount model with rosewood trim and an elegant
        plexiglass enclosed table-top configuration were standard.
        Under the skin, basic machine occupied a volume 33 inches
        high by 19 inches wide by 22 inches deep.  The two halves
        of the backplane were mounted vertically, like the covers
        of a book, with the spine in back and circuit modules
        inserted from the two sides.  Sliding the CPU out of the
        relay rack or removing the plexiglass covers allows the
        backplane to swung open for access to the wires.

    Expandability:  In-cabinet options include the type 182 extended
        arithmetic element (EAE), the type 183 memory extension
        control subsystem, and the type 189 low performance
        analog to digital converter (ADC).  Prewired backplane
        slots were reserved for all of these.

        Expansion beyond 4K of memory requires rack space for the
        rack-mounted type 184 memory module; each such module adds
        one 4K field of memory, up to a maximum of 32K.  The
        rack-mount CPU occupied a large part of one rack, allowing
        room for a single type 184 memory expansion module
        below the CPU; generally, a second rack was needed for
        added peripherals or memory.

        At the end of the production run, some PDP-8 systems were
        sold with PDP-8/I memory, allowing room for an additional
        4K without need for an expansion chassis.  These nonstandard
        machines were very difficult to maintain!

    Peripherals:  At the time of introduction, the following negibus
        peripherals were offered.

        -- Type 750C high speed paper tape reader and control.
        -- Type 75E high speed paper tape punch and control.
        -- Type 138E analog to digital converter and multiplexor.
        -- Type 34D oscilloscope display (dual digital to analog).
        -- Type 350B incremental (CalComp) plotter control.
        -- Type 451 card reader and control.
        -- Type 450 card punch control for IBM Type 523 punch.
        -- Type 64 (later 645) Mohawk line printer and control.
        -- Type RM08 serial magnetic drum system (up to 256K words).
        -- Type 552 DECtape control (for type 555 DECtape drives).
        -- Type 57A magnetic tape control (IBM type 729 drive).
        -- Type 580 magnetic tape system.

        By 1967, the following peripherals had been added to the line:

        -- Type TC01 DECtape control for up to 8 TU55 transports.
        -- Type AF01 analog to digital converter and multiplexor.
        -- Type AA01A 3 channel digital to analog (scope display).
        -- Type AX08 parallel digital input port.
        -- Type 338 Programmed Buffered Display (vector graphics).

        By 1968, the following new peripheral had been added:

        -- Type DF32 fixed head disk system (up to 256K words).
        -- Type BE01 OEM version of the TC01 (no blinking lights).
        -- Type BE03 dual TU55 drive for the TC01 or BE01.

        Finally, as DEC abandoned the negibus, they introduced the
        DW08B negibus to posibus converter so newer posibus
        peripherals could be used on older negibus machines.


What is a LINC-8?
    Date of introduction:  1966 (during or before March)
    Date of withdrawal:    1969 (displaced by PDP-12)
    Price: $38,500

    Technology:  DEC Flip Chip modules, as in the PDP-8, with a LINC CPU
        partially reimplemented in Flip Chips and partially emulated
        with PDP-8 instructions.  (The original LINC was built from
        the same System Modules used in the PDP-5.)

    Compatability:  Identical to the PDP-8.

    Standard configuration:  The combined PDP-8/LINC CPU, plus
        4K of memory was central to the system.  The set of
        peripherals bundled with the machine was impressive:

        -- An ASR 33 Teletype modified for the LINC character set.
        -- Two LINCtape drives.
        -- 8 analog to digital converter channels with knob inputs.
        -- Another 8 ADC channels with jack inputs.
        -- 6 programmable relay outputs, good up to 60 Hz.
        -- 1 Tektronix 560 oscilliscope, somewhat modified.

        The X and Y axis control for the scope came from DACs
        attached to the LINC's AC and MB registers, respectively.

    Expandability:

        In addition to standard PDP-8 peripherals, up to 3 additional
        pairs of LINCtape drives could be added, for a total of 8
        drives.  Each pair of drives cosmetically resembled the type
        BE03 dual DECtape transport, but single drives were not
        available.

        Up to 2 additional ranks of 8 ADC channels could be added.

        A second oscilliscope could be added.


What is a PDP-8/S?
    Date of introduction:  1966 (Unveiled, Aug 23, WESCON, Los Angeles).
    Date of withdrawal:    1970.
    Price: $10,000

    Technology:  DEC Flip Chip modules and core memory, as in the
        PDP-8.  Unlike the PDP-8, the PDP-8/S memory was mounted
        on quad-height single-width boards that plugged into the
        standard flip-chip sockets.

    Reason for introduction:  This machine was developed as a
        successful exercise in minimizing the cost of the machine.
        It was the least expensive general purpose computer made
        with second generation (discrete transistor) technology,
        and it was one of the smallest such machines to be mass
        produced (a number of smaller machines were made for
        aerospace applications).  It was also incredibly slow,
        with a 36 microsecond add time, and some instructions
        taking as much as 78 microseconds.  By 1967, DEC took the
        then unusual step of offering this machine for off the
        shelf delivery, with one machine stocked in each field
        office available for retail sale.

    Reason for withdrawal:  The PDP-8/L vastly outperformed the PDP-8/S,
        and it did so at a lower price.

    Compatability:  The core of the PDP-8 instruction set is present,
        but there are a sufficient number of incompatabilities
        that, as with the PDP-5, many otherwise portable "family
        of 8" programs will not run on the PDP-8/S.  Perhaps the
        worst incompatability is that the Group 1 OPR instruction
        CMA cannot be combined with any of the rotate instructions;
        as with the PDP-8, IAC also cannot be combined with rotate.

    Standard configuration:  CPU with 4K of memory, plus PT08 110 baud
        current loop teletype interface and teletype.  Both a
        rack-mount table-top versions were sold (both 9" high
        by 19" wide by 20"? deep).  The rack mount could be slid
        out of the rack on slides for for maintenance.

    Expandability:  The CPU supported the standard PDP-8 negibus, but
        I/O bandwidth was 1/5 that of the PDP-8.  Thus, most, but
        not all PDP-8 peripherals could be used.  A few DEC
        peripherals such as the DF32 came with special options such
        as interleaving to slow them down for compatability with
        the PDP-8/S.  The speed problems were such that there was
        never any way to attach DECtape to this machine.


What is a PDP-8/I?
    Date of introduction:  1968 (announced before December '67)
    Date of withdrawal:    1971.

    Technology:  DEC M-series logic modules, called M-series flip-chips
        as the term flip-chip was applied to the module format
        instead of to DEC's hybrid integrated circuits.  M-series
        modules used TTL chips, with a +5 supply, packaged on the
        same format board as was used with the original flip-chips,
        but with double-sided card-edge connectors (36 contacts
        instead of 18).  Modules were limited to typically 4 SSI
        ICs each.  The M113, a typical M-series module, had 10
        2-input nand gates and cost $23 in 1967 (the price fell to
        $18 in 1970).  Wire-wrapped backplanes used 30-gauge wire.

        The PDP-8/I, as originally sold, supported the then-standard
        PDP-8 negibus.  4K words of core were packaged in a 1 inch
        thick module made of 5 rigidly connected 5 by 5 inch
        two-sided printed circuit boards.  Connectors and support
        electronics occupied an additional 32 backplane slots.

        Nominally, the core memory (which, curiously, used a negative
        logic interface!) was supposed to run at a 1.5 microsecond
        cycle time, but many early PDP-8/I systems were delivered
        running at a slower rate because of memory quality problems.
        DEC went through many vendors in the search for good memory!
        The memory interface was asynchronous, allowing the CPU to
        delay for slow memory.  DEC continued to make the classic
        PDP-8 until the problems with memory speed were solved.

    Reason for introduction:  This machine was developed in response
        to the introduction of DIP component packaging of TTL
        integrated circuits.  This allowed a machine of about
        the same performance as the original PDP-8 to fit in about
        half the volume and sell for a lower price.

    Reason for withdrawal:  The PDP-8/E made slight performance
        improvements while undercutting the price of the PDP-8/I.

    Compatability:  The core of the PDP-8 instruction set is present,
        and unlike the original PDP-8, IAC can be combined with
        rotate in a single microcoded Group 1 OPR instruction.
        Combined RAR and RAL or RTR and RTL produce the logical
        and of the expected results from each of the combined shifts.

        If the extended arithmetic element is present, the SWP
        (exchange AC and MQ) instruction works, but this was not
        documented.

        On large memory configurations, memory fetches from a
        nonexistant memory field take about 30 microseconds (waiting
        for a bus timeout) and then they return either 0000 or 7777
        depending on whether the fetch was from an even or odd field.

    Standard configuration:  CPU with 4K of memory, plus 110 baud current
        loop teletype interface.  Pedestal, rack-mount and table-top
        versions were made.  In the pedestal version, the logic
        filled the body of the pedestal, with the console lights
        and switches on top.  In one rack-mount version, the machine
        was built on a backplane that was bolted to the back of the
        rack, while the front panel hung from the front (unlike all
        other rack-mounted PDP-8 models, this version could not be
        swung out for maintenance on chassis slides).  Finally,
        a boxed version was sold that could be used on table-top
        or mounted on chassis slides.

    Expandability: 4K of memory could be added internally, and additional
        memory could be added externally using a rack-mounted MM8I
        memory expansion module for each 4K or 8K addition over 8K.

        The backplane of the PDP-8/I was prewired to hold a Calcomp
        plotter interface, with the adjacent backplane slot reserved
        for the cable connection to the plotter.

        Initially, the CPU was sold with bus drivers for the PDP-8
        negibus, allowing this machine to support all older DEC
        peripherals, but later machines were sold with posibus
        interfaces, and DEC made an effort to convert earlier
        machines to the posibus in the field.

        A posibus to negibus converter, the DW08A, allowed use of
        all older PDP-8 peripherals, with small modifications.
        The change from negibus to posibus during the period of
        PDP-8/I production leads to confusion because surviving
        systems may have any of three I/O bus configurations:
        Negibus, early posibus, or final posibus.  The early
        posibus used the same connectors and cables as the negibus,
        with only 9 conductors per connector, while the final
        posibus used both sides of the connector paddles, for 18
        bus lines per connector.  To add to this confusion, some
        negibus PDP-8/I systems were rewired to use 18 conductor
        posibus cables while still using negative logic!

        Eventually, an add-on box was sold that allowed PDP-8/E
        (OMNIBUS) memory to be added to a PDP-8/I.  Additionally,
        Fabritek sold a 24K memory box for the 8/I.


What is a PDP-8/L?
    Date of introduction:  1968 (announced before August '68)
    Date of withdrawal:    1971.
    Price: $8,500

    Technology:  DEC M-series flip Chip modules, as in the PDP-8/I,
        with the same core memory as the 8/I, but the memory cycle
        cycle time was downgraded to 1.6 microseconds to avoid the
        speed problems of the -8/I.

        The positive I/O bus, or posibus, was a 100 ohm bus clamped
        between 0 and 3 volts with TTL drivers and receivers.  This
        was packaged with 18 signal lines per 2-sided interconnect
        cable, using mylar ribbon cable in most cases.  Electrically,
        coaxial cable could be used, but the slots in the CPU
        box were too small to allow convenient use of this option.

    Reason for introduction:  This machine was developed as a moderately
        successful exercise using M-series logic to produce a
        lower cost but moderately fast machine.  The idea was to
        cut costs by limiting provisions for expansion.

    Reason for withdrawal:  The PDP-8/E made performance improvements
        while slightly undercutting the price of the PDP-8/L.

    Compatability:  The core of the PDP-8 instruction set is present,
        but all Group 3 OPR instructions are no-ops, even the
        Group 3 version of the CLA instruction.  This is because
        there was no provision made for adding an EAE to this machine.
        Microcoding RAR and RAL together works as in the PDP-8/I.
        Finally, a new front panel feature was added, the protect
        switch.  When thrown, this makes the last page of the last
        field of memory read-only (to protect your bootstrap code).

        The instruction to change the data field on an 8/L becomes
        a no-op when the destination data field is non-existant; on
        all other machines, attempts to address non-existant fields
        are possible.  One option for expanding the 8/L was to add
        a box that allowed 8/E memory modules to be added to the
        8/L; when this was done, access to nonexistant data fields
        becomes possible and always returns 0000 on read.

    Standard configuration:  A CPU with 4K of memory, plus 110 baud
        current loop teletype interface was standard.  Both
        rack-mount and table-top versions were sold (both 9" high
        by 19" wide by 21" deep).  The backplane was on top,
        with modules plugged in from the bottom.  The rack-mount
        version could be slid out for maintenance.

    Expandability:  The CPU supported a new bus standard, the PDP-8
        posibus.  There is little space for in-box peripherals, but
        an expander box with the same volume as the CPU was available,
        the BA08A; this was prewired to hold an additional 4K of
        memory and to support in-box peripheral interfaces for such
        devices as the PDP-8/I Calcomp plotter interface.

        DEC eventually offered the BM12L, an 8K expansion box,
        allowing 12K total memory on a PDP-8/L.  Curiously, this
        contains precisely the modules needed to upgrade a 4K
        PDP-8/I or PDP-12 to an 8K machine, or to populate an MM8I
        box to add 8K of additional memory to an 8/I or PDP-12.

        Finally, DEC eventually offered a box allowing PDP-8/E
        (OMNIBUS) memory to be used with the PDP-8/L.  PDP-8/L
        configurations with over 8K of memory were awkward
        because the front panel only showed one bit of the extended
        memory address.  As a result, extra lights and switches
        for the additional bits of the memory address were
        mounted on the front of the memory expander boxes for
        the large configurations.

        A variety of posibus peripherals were introduced, most of
        which were built with the option of negibus interface logic
        (the -P and -N suffixes on these new peripherals indicated
        which was which).  Many early PDP-8/L systems were sold with
        DW08A bus level converters to run old negibus peripherals.

        Posibus peripherals introduced after the PDP-8/L (and also
        used with posibus versions of the PDP-8/I) included:

        -- The TC08P DECtape controller (for 8 TU55 or 4 TU56).
        -- The DF32D-P fixed head disk controller (a posibus DF32).
        -- The FPP-12 floating point processor.
        -- The TR02 simple magnetic tape control.
        -- The RK08 disk subsystem, 4 disk packs, 831,488 words each.


What is a PDP-12?
    Date of introduction:  1969 (February or earlier).
    Date of withdrawal:    1973.
    Price: $27,900

    Technology:  DEC M-series flip Chip modules, as in the PDP-8/I.

    Reason for introduction:  This machine was developed as a follow-up
        to the LINC-8.  Originally it was to be called the LINC-8/I,
        but somehow it got its own number.  In effect, it
        was a PDP-8/I with added logic to allow it to execute most
        of the LINC instruction set, with trapping and software
        emulation used more selective than on the LINC-8.

    Reason for withdrawal:  The LAB-8/E and the LAB-11 (a PDP-8/E
        and a PDP-11/20 with lab peripherals) eventually proved
        the equal of the PDP-12 in practice, and LINC compatability
        eventually proved to be of insufficient value to keep the
        machine alive in the marketplace.

    Compatability:  This machine is fully compatable with the PDP-8/I,
        with additional instructions to flip from PDP-8 mode to
        LINC mode and back.  IOT 0 could enable the API, causing
        trouble with later PDP-8 code that assumes IOT 0 is "Clear
        all flags".  Also, the DECtape instruction DTLA (6766)
        becomes part of a stack-oriented extension to the
        instruction set, PUSHJ, on late model (or field updated)
        machines with the KF12-B backplane.

    Standard configuration:  PDP-8/LINC CPU with 4K of memory, plus 110
        baud current loop interface, plus output relay registers.
        In addition, the standard configuration included either
        two TU55 or one TU56 drive, with a PDP-12 only controller
        allowing it to handle LINCtape.  In additoon, a 12" scope
        was always included, with a connector that can connect to
        a second scope.

    Expandability:  An analog to digital converter and multiplexor
        was needed to fully support knob-oriented LINC software.

        Other options included:

        -- the KW12 programmable lab clock.
        -- additional TU55 or TU56 drives (up to 8 transports).
        -- the PRTC12F option to allow DECtape as well as LINCtape.
        -- the PC05 paper tape reader punch.


What is a PDP-8/E?
    Date of introduction:  1970 (during or before August).
    Date of withdrawal:    1978.
    Also known as:
        Industrial-8 (with a red color scheme)
        LAB-8/E (with a green color scheme)
    Price: $7,390

    Technology:  Nominally made from DEC M-series flip Chip modules,
        but in a new format, quad-wide (10.5 inches wide), double-
        height (9 inches, including card-edge connector, excluding
        handles).  SSI and MSI TTL logic were used on these boards,
        and the entire CPU fit on 3 boards.

        Interconnection between boards was through a new bus, the
        OMNIBUS.  This eliminated the need for a wire-wrapped
        backplane, since all slots in the bus were wired identically.
        A new line of peripheral interfaces was produced, most being
        single cards that could be plugged directly into the inside
        the main enclosure.  These included a set of posibus adapters
        allowing use of older peripherals on the new machine.

        Interboard connectors were needed for some multiboard
        options, including the CPU and memory subsystems.  These
        used standard 36 pin backplane connectors on the opposite
        side of the board from the backplane.  Some boards, notably
        memory boards, had a total of 8 connector fingers, 4 for
        the omnibus and 4 for interboard connectors.

        The core memory cycle time was 1.2 or 1.4 microseconds,
        depending on whether a read-modify-write cycle was involved.
        A 4K core plane was packaged on a single quad-wide double-
        high board, with most of the drive electronics packed onto
        two adjacent boards.  Soon after the machine was introduced,
        an 8K core plane was released in the same format.

    Reason for introduction:  The cost of the PDP-8/I and PDP-8/L was
        dominated by the cost of the interconnect wiring, and this
        cost was a result of the use of small circuit boards.  By
        packing a larger number of chips per board, similar function
        could be attained in a smaller volume because less interboard
        communication was required.  The PDP-8/E exploited this to
        achieve a new low in cost while attaining a new high in
        performance.

    Reason for withdrawal:  This machine was slowly displaced by the
        PDP-8/A as the market for large PDP-8 configurations
        declined in the face of pressure from 16 bit mini and
        microcomputers.

    Compatability:  As with the PDP-8/I and PDP-8/L, there are no limits
        on the combination of IAC and rotate instructions.  Unlike
        the early machines, basic Group 3 OPR operations for loading
        and storing the MQ register work even if there is no extended
        arithmetic element.  Finally, a new instruction was added,
        BSW; this swaps the left and right bytes in AC, and is
        encoded as a Group 1 OPR instruction using the "double the
        shift count bit".

        An odd quirk of this machine is that the RAL RAR combination
        ands the AC with the op-code, and the RTR RTL combination
        does an effective address computation loading the high 5 bits
        of AC with the current page and the lower bits of AC with the
        address field of the OPR instruction!

        The EAE has a new mode, mode B.  Previous EAE designs were
        single-mode.  Mode B supports a large set of 24 bit
        operations and a somewhat more rational set of shift
        operations than the standard EAE.  All prior EAE designs
        would hang on the microcoded CLA NMI (clear/normalize)
        instruction applied to a nonzero AC.  This instruction
        is redefined to be a mode changing instruction on the 8/E.

    Standard configuration:  A CPU with 4K of memory, plus 110 baud
        current loop teletype interface.  Both a rack-mount table-top
        versions were sold (both 9" high by 19" wide by 21" deep).
        The rack mount version was mounted on slides for easy
        maintenance.  The OMNIBUS backplane was on the bottom,
        with boards inserted from the top.

        The standard OMNIBUS backplane had 20 slots, with no
        fixed assignments, but the following conventional uses:

        -- KC8E programmer's console (lights and switches)
        -- M8300 \_ KK8E CPU registers
        -- M8310 /  KK8E CPU control
        --
        --
        -- M833  - Timing board (system clock)
        -- M865  - KL8E console terminal interface.
        --
        --
        --   -- space for more peripherals
        --
        --
        -- M849  - shield to isolate memory from CPU
        -- G104  \
        -- H220   > MM8E 4K memory
        -- G227  /
        --
        --   -- space for more memory
        --
        -- M8320 - KK8E Bus terminator

        Most of the early boards with 3 digit numbers were defective
        in one way or another, and the corrected boards added a
        trailing zero.  Thus, the M833 was generally replaced with
        an M8330, and the M865 was replaced with the M8650.

    Expandability:  The following are among the OMNIBUS boards that
        could be added internally:

        -- M8650 - KL8E RS232 or current loop serial interface.
        -- M8340 \_ Extended arithmetic element.
        -- M8341 /  (must be attached in two slots adjacent to CPU.
        -- M8350 - KA8E posibus interface (excluding DMA transfers).
        -- M8360 - KD8E data break interface (one per DMA device).
        -- M837  - KM8E memory extension control (needed for over 4K).
        -- M840  - PC8E high speed paper tape reader-punch interface.
        -- M842  - XY8E X/Y plotter control.
        -- M843  - CR8E card reader interface.

        There were many other internal options.  There was room in
        the basic box for another 20 slot backplane; taking into
        account the 2 slots occupied by the M935 bridge between
        the two backplanes, this allowed 38 slots, and a second
        box could be added to accomodate another 38 slot backplane,
        bridged to the first box by a pair of BC08H OMNIBUS
        extension cables.

        Given a M837 memory extension control, additional memory
        could be added in increments of 4K by adding G104, H220,
        G227 triplets.  The suggested arrangement of boards on the
        OMNIBUS always maintained the M849 shield between memory
        other options.  The one exception was that the M8350 KA8E
        and M8360 KD8E external posibus interfaces were typically
        placed at the end of the OMNIBUS right before the terminator.

        The following options were introduced later, and there were
        many options offered by third party suppliers.

        -- G111  \
        -- H212   > MM8EJ 8K memory
        -- G233  /
        -- M8357 -- RX8E interface to RX01/02 8" diskette drives.
        -- M7104 \
        -- M7105  > RK8E RK05 Disk Interface
        -- M7106 /
        -- M8321 \
        -- M8322  \ TM8E Magtape control for 9 track tape.
        -- M8323  /
        -- M8327 /

        At one point, DEC packaged a PDP-8/E in a desk with no
        front panel controls other than power and bootstrap switch,
        along with an RX01 accessable from the front and a VT50
        on top.  This was sold as the Class-ic system, with an
        intended market in the classroom (hence the name); it was
        the forerunner, in terms of packaging, of many later DEC
        office products.


What is a PDP-8/F?
    Date of introduction:  1972.
    Date of withdrawal:    1978.

    Technology:  an OMNIBUS machine, as with the PDP-8/E.  First use
        of a switching power supply in the PDP-8 family.

    Reason for introduction:  The PDP-8/E had a large enough box and
        a large enough power supply to accomodate a large
        configuration.  By shortening the box and putting in a
        small switching power supply, a lower cost OMNIBUS machine
        was possible.

    Reason for withdrawal:  The PDP-8/A 800 displaced this machine,
        providing similar expansion capability at a lower cost.

    Compatability:  The PDP-8/F used the PDP-8/E CPU and peripherals.

    Standard configuration:  Identical to the PDP-8/E, except that
        the KC8E front panel was replaced with a KC8M front panel
        that had LEDs instead of incandescent lights; this front
        panel could also be installed on PDP-8/E systems, but the
        PDP-8/E front panel could not be used on a PDP-8/F because
        of the lack of a +8 supply for the lights.  The original
        PDP-8/F box had a defective power supply, but a revised
        (slightly larger) box corrected this problem.

    Expandability:  This machine could be expanded using all PDP-8/E
        OMNIBUS peripherals, including the external expansion
        chassis.  The relatively small internal power supply and
        the lack of room for a 20 slot bus expander inside the
        first box were the only limitations.  There were minor
        compatability problems with some options, for example,
        the power-fail auto-restart card, as originally sold, was
        incompatable with the PDP-8/F power supply.


What is a PDP-8/M?
    Date of introduction:  1972.
    Date of withdrawal:    1978.

    Technology:  This machine was a PDP-8/F (with a PDP-8/E CPU)

    Reason for introduction:  DEC knew that OEM customers were an
        important market, so they packaged the PDP-8/F for this
        market, with no hardware changes behind the front panel.

    Reason for withdrawal:  Same as the PDP-8/F

    Compatability:  The PDP-8/M used the PDP-8/E CPU and peripherals.

    Standard configuration:  Identical to the PDP-8/F, except that
        the KC8M front panel was replaced with a minimal function
        panel and the color scheme was different.  Because of this,
        one of the following options were required:

        -- M848  -- KP8E Power fail and auto-restart.
        -- M847  -- MI8E Hardware Bootstrap Loader.

    Expandability:  All options applying to the PDP-8/F applied.  In
        addition, the KC8M front panel (standard with the PDP-8/F)
        was available as an option.


What is a PDP-8/A?
    Date of introduction:  1975
    Date of withdrawal:    1984

    Technology:  This machine used the OMNIBUS with a new single-board
        CPU, made possible by the use of TTL MSI and LSI components
        on an extra-wide board (formally, hex high, double high)
        with 6 connector fingers instead of the usual 4.

    Reason for introduction:  Using TTL MSI and LSI components, DEC
        was able to reduce the PDP-8 CPU to a single hex wide
        double high card.  Similarly, they were able to make an
        4K core memory card, and later, an 8K board in this
        format, and they were able to introduce a static RAM card
        using semiconductor memory.  The net effect was to reduce
        the minimum system to 3 boards.

        In addition, the market for the PDP-8 was dominated by
        small systems, with fewer and fewer customers needing
        large-scale expandability.  Thus, the 20 slot backplane
        of the early Omnibus machines was too big; with the new
        single board CPU and memory, a 12 slot backplane was enough.

    Reason for withdrawal:  The market for the PDP-8 family was
        shrinking in the face of pressure from larger minicomputers
        and the new monolithic microcomputers.  After 1975, many
        PDP-8 sales were to captive customers who had sufficient
        software investments that they could not afford to move.
        Only the word-processing and small business markets
        remained strong for first-time PDP-8 sales, and in these,
        the specialized DEC VT-78 and DECmate machines were more
        cost effective than the open architecture OMNIBUS machines.

    Compatability:  The new PDP-8/A CPU was largely compatable with
        the PDP-8/E CPU, except that the combination of RTR and
        RTL (Group 1 OPR instructions) loaded the next address.
        The power-fail auto-restart option included the standard
        skip on power low instruction, but also a new skip on
        battery empty instruction to test the battery used for
        back-up power on the new solid state memory.

    Standard configuration:  The PDP-8/A was sold with a new short
        OMNIBUS backplane, mounted on its side above a power supply
        and a battery to back up the solid state memory.  The
        minimum configuration included a limited function control
        panel and the following components on the bus:

        -- M8315 -- KK8A CPU board
        -- M???? -- MS8A 1K to 4K solid state memory.
        -- M8316 -- DKC8AA serial/parallel interface and clock.

        The M8316 board contained a remarkable but useful
        hodgepodge of commonly used peripherals, including the
        console terminal interface, a parallel port, the power/fail
        auto-restart logic, and a 100 Hz real time clock.

        The original configuration sold had a 10 slot backplane and
        a poor power supply.  The later base model had a 12 slot
        backplane, the 8/A 400.

    Expandability:  All PDP-8/E peripherals and options could be used
        with the PDP-8/A.  The KK8A cpu was not as fast as the KK8E
        used in the PDP-8/E, but the KK8E CPU could be substituted
        for the KK8A CPU, and many PDP-8/A systems were sold with
        this substitution.

        A box with a 20 slot backplane, the 8/A 800, was available
        for large configurations.  A pair of PDP-8/A backplanes
        could be connected using BC08H cables, and there was a
        special cable, the BC80C, for connecting a hex wide 8A
        backplane to a PDP-8/E, -8/F or -8/M backplane.

        By late 1975, the PDP-8/A was being sold in a workstation
        configuration, with the CPU and dual 8" diskette drives
        in a desk with a video terminal (VT57?) on top.  This
        followed the pattern set by the Class-ic packaging of the
        PDP-8/E, but it was aimed at the word-processing market.

        The following additional PDP-8/A (hex) boards were offered:

        -- G649  \_ MM8AA 8K Core stack (too slow for 8/E CPU!).
        -- H219A /  MM8AA 8K Core memory control.
        -- G650  \_ MM8AB 16K Core stack (ok for 8/E CPU!).
        -- H219B /  MM8AB 16K Core memory control.
        -- M???? -- MR8F 1K ROM (overlayable with RAM).
        -- M8317 -- KM8A memory extender (with variations).
        -- M8319 -- KL8A 4 channel RS232 or current loop serial I/O.
        -- M???? -- RL8A controller for 1 to 4 RL01/RL02 disk drives.

        -- M8416 -- KT8AA Memory management unit.
        --          KC8AA Programmer's Console (requires M8316)
        -- M8417 -- MSC8DJ 128K DRAM MOS Memory.

        Note that memory extension to 128K was a new PDP-8/A feature
        that was necessarily incompatable with the older PDP-8 memory
        expansion options, although the conventional PDP-8 memory
        expansion instructions still operate correctly on the first
        32K.  Access to additional fields involved borrowing IOT
        instructions that were previously dedicated to other devices.

        The MM8A options require the use of a box with a -20V power
        supply.  Also, the use of the MSC8 DRAM memory cards requires
        a CPU that supports the memory stall signal, early PDP-8/E
        CPUs did not.


What is a VT78?
    Date of introduction:  1978
    Date of withdrawal:    1980 (Displaced by the DECmate)
    Also known as:  DECstation 78

    Technology:  Intersil 6100 microprocessor, packaged in a VT52 case.
        The 6100 processor was able to run at 4 MHz, but in the
        VT78, it was only clocked at 2.2 MHz because of the speed
        of the DRAM used and the deliberate use of graded out chips.

    Reason for introduction:  Using TTL MSI and LSI components, DEC
        could pack their CPU into vacant space in a standard
        terminal case, allowing PDP-8 systems to compete with
        personal computers in the small business and office
        automation market.  This was a natural follow-on to the
        workstation configurations in which the PDP-8/A was already
        being sold.

    Compatability:  The Group I OPR combinations RAL RAR and RTL RTR
        are no-ops.  Unlike all earlier PDP-8 models, autoindex
        locations 10 to 17 (octal) only work in page zero mode;
        these operate like all other memory location when addressed
        in current page mode from code running on page zero.  Other
        than this, it is fully PDP-8/E compatable, even at the level
        of I/O instructions for the standard periperals; this was
        the last PDP-8 to offer this level of compatability.

        It was not possible to continue from a halt without
        restarting the machine.  In addition, none of the peripherals
        available on this machine needed DMA (data break) transfers.

    Standard configuration:  The VT78 was sold with 16k words of DRAM
        with the keyboard and display of the VT52 terminal.  An RX01
        dual 8" diskette drive was standard, packaged in the
        pedestal under the terminal.  The console (device 03/04),
        the printer (output only) port (device 66), and the serial
        ports (devices 30/31 and 32/33) are compatable with the
        M8650 KL8E, with the latter extended to allow software
        controlled baud rates selection.  The parallel port
        (device 47) and 100Hz clock are compatable with the
        comparable PDP-8/A options on the M8316 DKC8AA.

        The standard ROM boots the system from the RX01 after setting
        the baud rates to match that selected by the switches on the
        bottom of the VT52 case.

    Expandability:  This was a closed system, with few options.  The
        base configuration was able to support two RX01 drives
        (later RX02), for a total of 4 transports.  Various boot
        ROM's were available, including a paper-tape RIM loader ROM
        for loading diagnostics from tape.  Another ROM boots the
        system from a PDP-11 server in the client/server
        configuration used by WPS-11.


What is a DECmate I?
    Date of introduction:  1980
    Date of withdrawal:    1984 (Phased out in favor of the DECmate II)
    Also known as:  DECmate (prior to the DECmate II, no suffix was used)

    Technology:  Based on the Intersil/Harris 6120 microprocessor,
        packaged in a VT-100 box with keyboard and display.

    Reason for introduction:  This machine was aimed primarily at
        the market originally opened by the VT78, using the IM6120
        as a substitute for the older 6100 chip and optimizing
        for minimum cost and mass production efficiency.

    Compatability:  A new feature was introduced in the 6120
        microprocessor:  The Group I OPR combination RAL RAR was
        defined as R3L, or rotate accumulator 3 places left, so
        that byte swap (BSW) is equivalent to R3L;R3L.  RTR RTL
        remained a no-op, as in the 6100.

        Also, the EAE operations not implemented in the basic
        CPU cause the CPU to hang awaiting completion of the
        operation by a coprocessor.  Unfortunately, no EAE
        coprocessor was ever offered.

        The printer port offered software baud-rate selection
        compatable with the VT78 baud-rate selection scheme.
        The data communications option was completely incompatable
        with all previous PDP-8 serial ports.

        The console and printer ports are not fully compatable with
        the earlier PDP-8 serial ports.  Specifically, on earlier
        serial interfaces, it was possible to test flags without
        resetting them, but on the DECmate machines, testing the
        keyboard input flag always resets the flag as a side effect.
        In addition, on the console port, every successful test of
        the flag must be followed by reading a character or the
        flag will never be set again.

        It was not possible to continue from a halt without
        restarting the machine.

        The large amount of device emulation performed by the CPU
        in supporting screen updates severely limits the ability of
        the system to run in real time.

    Standard configuration:  The DECmate I was sold with 32k words of
        memory, with a small additional control memory added to
        handle control/status and boot options.  The console
        terminal keyboard and display functions are largely
        supported by control memory routines (as opposed to having
        separate hardware for terminal support, as in the VT78).

        DECmate I came with an integral printer port, compatable
        with the VT78 (device 32/33), and it had an RX02 dual 8 inch
        diskette drive, mounted in the short cabinet under the
        terminal/CPU box.  A 100Hz clock was included, as in the
        VT78 and PDP-8/A.

    Expandability:  This was a closed system, with limited options.
        Specifically, a second RX02 could be connected (or an RX01,
        because that had a compatable connector), the DP278A and
        DP278B communications boards (really the same board, but
        the DP278B had 2 extra chips), and the RL-278 disk
        controller, able to accomodate from 1 to 4 RL02 rack mount
        disk drives.

        When the DP278A option is added, additional control
        memory is included containing a ROM-based terminal
        emulator allowing diskless operation.  The emulator is
        an extended VT100 subset that is essentially compatable
        in 80 column mode.  The DP278A option could support
        both asynchronous and synchronous protocols, and the DP278B
        could handle SDLC and other nasty bit-stuffing protocols.

        Various pedestal and desk configurations were sold for
        housing the RX01 and RX02 drives, most being teacart style
        designs, but there was also a pedestal version that was
        essentially a repackaging of the RX02 with either 2 or 4
        new 8 inch disk transports (physically incompatable with
        tearlier DEC transports).

What is a DECmate II?
    Date of introduction:  1982
    Date of withdrawal:    1986
    Price: $1,435

    Technology:  Based on the 6120 microprocessor, this shared the same
        packaging as DEC's other competitors in the PC market, the
        Rainbow (80x86 based) and the PRO-325 (PDP-11 based).

    Reason for introduction:  This machine was introduced in order to
        allow more flexibility than the DECmate I and to allow more
        sharing of parts with the VT220 and DEC's other personal
        computers.

    Compatability:  Same as the DECmate I, except it could continue
        from a halt.  There was better hardware for device emulation
        support, allowing for somewhat better real-time performance,
        and the data communications port was an incompatable
        improvement on the incompatable DECmate I communications
        port.  The improved data communications port make it
        essentially as powerful as the DP-278B on the DECmate I,
        with a more efficient but bizarre software interface.

    Standard Configuration:  The DECmate II was sold with 32K of program
        memory, plus a second full bank for dedicated control
        panel functions, an integral RX50 dual 5 1/4 inch diskette
        drive with an 8051 controller chip, a printer port, a 100Hz
        real-time clock, single data communications port, and
        interfaces to the monitor and keyboard.  The diskette drive
        can read single-sided 48 track-per-inch diskettes, so it
        might be possible to read (but not write) IBM PC diskettes.

    Expandability:  This was the most open of the DECmate systems, with
        a number of disk options:  An additional pair of RX50 drives
        could be added, and with the RX78 board, it could support
        a pair of dual 8 inch drives, either RX01 or RX02.

        As an alternative to the RX78, there was a controller for
        an MFM hard drive.  The interface to the RX78 board wasn't
        fully compatable with earlier interfaces to RX01 and RX02,
        and there was no way to have both an RX78 and an MFM drive.
        The MFM drive could be up to 64 MB, with 16 sectors per
        track, 512 bytes each and at most 8 heads and 1024 (or
        possibly 4096) cylinders.  A power supply upgrade was needed
        to support the MFM drive.  DEC sold this machine with 5,
        10 and 20 meg hard drives, Seagate ST-506, 412, and 225
        respectively.

        A graphics board supporting a color monitor could be added
        in addition to the monochrome console display.

        A coprocessor board could be added, with communication to
        and from the coprocessor through device 14.  DEC sold three
        boards, an APU board (Z80 and 64K), and two XPU boards (Z80,
        8086 and either 256K or 512K).  If these added processors
        are used, the 6120 processor is usually used as an I/O server
        for whatever ran on the coprocessor.  The XPU boards used
        a Z80 for I/O support, so 8086 I/O was very indirect,
        particularly if it involved I/O to a PDP-8 device that was
        emulated from control memory!  Despite this, I/O through
        the DECmate version of MS/DOS is generally faster than
        MS/DOS on more recent 80286 and 80386 based IBM PCs because
        of effective use of the coprocessors (but they couldn't
        run MS/DOS code that bypasses MS/DOS for I/O).


What is a DECmate III?
    Date of introduction:  1984
    Date of withdrawal:    1990
    Price: $2,695

    Technology:  Same as the DECmate II.

    Reason for introduction:  Again, DEC discovered that the market
        for large systems was dominated by other products, and
        that the PDP-8 based products were rarely expanded to their
        full potential.  Thus, there was no point in paying the
        price of expandability.

    Compatability:  Same as the DECmate II, except that the printer
        port is fixed at 4800 baud.

    Standard Configuration:  The DECmate III was sold with 32K of program
        memory, plus a second full bank for dedicated control
        panel functions, an integral RX50 dual 5 1/4 inch diskette
        drive with an 8051 controller chip, a printer port, a 100Hz
        real-time-clock, a data communications port, and interfaces
        for the VR-201 monitor and keyboard.

    Expandability:  A revised version of the Z80 based coprocessor
        for the DECmate II was available, and a graphics board
        compatable with the later DECmate II graphics board
        could be added allowing the standard monochrome monitor
        to be replaced with a VR-241 color monitor.  Two monitor
        configurations were not supported.  An obscure variant
        of the DEC scholar modem was also supported as an option.


What is a DECmate III+?
    Date of introduction:  1985
    Date of withdrawal:    1990

    Technology:  Same as the DECmate II.

    Reason for introduction:  This machine apparently represents the
        last gasp of the PDP-8, hunting for the remains of the
        ever-shrinking market niche that the earlier DECmates
        had carved out.  The market niche was not there, and
        the production runs for this machine were short enough
        that UV erasable EPROM technology was used where earlier
        DECmates had used mask programmed chips.

    Compatability:  Same as the DECmate II, but the machine was unable
        to read 48 track per inch IBM formatted diskettes.  Again
        the printer port was fixed at 4800 baud.

    Standard Configuration:  The DECmate III+ was sold with 32K of
        program memory, plus a second bank for dedicated
        control panel functions, an integral RX33 single 5 1/4
        inch diskette drive with an 8751 controller chip, a
        printer port, a data communications port and interfaces
        to the monitor and keyboard.  A hard disk controller
        compatable with the optional one on the DECmate II was
        included, supporting an integral ST-225 20 MB disk;
        it is likely that it can only handle up to 1024 cylinders,
        but it is otherwise compatable with the DECmate II.

    Expandability: The same coprocessor option sold with the
        DECmate III was available, but because of the lack of a
        second floppy drive, this was rarely used (the Z80 was
        most likely to be used to run CP/M, but that system
        requires two drives to handle the installation procedure;
        an appropriately configured bootable image created on a
        DECmate II or III could run on a DECmate III+).

        The same graphics board as used on the DECmate III was
        also available.  The circuit traces and connectors for
        the Scholar modem are present, but this option was never
        sold on the DECmate III+.