The PDP-8/e was a model of the PDP-8 line of minicomputers, designed by the Digital Equipment Corporation to be a general purpose computer that inexpensively met the needs of the average user while also being capable of modular expansion to meet the more specific needs of advanced user.[1]
Label panel with PDP-8/e nameCPU was built using DEC M-series Flip Chip modulesFront panel switches were grouped for octal notationCore memory plane for PDP-8
The first prototype was built in 1970, and was among the first minicomputers small enough to fit in the back seat of a Volkswagen Beetle Convertible.[2] It originally sold for $6,500 but after 18 months the price was dropped to $4995 to make it the only computer under $5000 available at that time.[3]
The standard -8/e included a processor, core memory, a data terminal, a tape control and drive, a programmers table, a line printer, software operating system and when purchased included installation, training and maintenance as part of the purchase agreement.[4]
The PDP-8/e featured a processor with single-address fixed word length, parallel transfer computer using 12-bit, two's complement arithmetic. The 1.2/1.4 microsecond cycle time provides a computation rate of 385,000 additions per second. It was built to be versatile and has a high capacity input/output that supports more than 60 types of peripherals.[1] It could be used for a variety of tasks, from keeping score at Fenway Park to monitoring stimuli to the brain during brain surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.[5]
Basic systemedit
The basic PDP-8/E system was a 10.5 x 19 x 24 inch [6] (6 rack unit) rackmount or table top unit that contained the processor, core memory, front panel controls ("programmer's console"), console terminal interface for use with an external data terminal, and 115 or 230 volt AC power supply.[7]
Peripheralsedit
Processor optionsedit
Extended Arithmetic Element - Enables the performance of complex arithmetic at high speeds
FPP-12 Floating Point Processor - Provides a dual-processor capability for faster calculations
Power Fail and Automatic Restart - Restores operation automatically after a power failure and protects the operating program
Real-Time Clocks - Programmable, line frequency, or crystal controlled intervals
MI8-E hardware bootstrap, an array of diodes allowing startup without manually toggling in the bootstrap via the front panel
Card Readers - Marked or punched cards read at 300 cards per minute
Display devicesedit
Video and Writing Tablets - Alphanumeric and graphic display point-plot displays; light pens; telephone line transmission
Hard-Copy Devices - incremental plotters; line printers with 64- or 96-characters sets, 165 characters per second or 356 lines per minute
Data communications devicesedit
Synchronous Communications - Modem interface for Bell 201- and 300-series modems or equivalent
Asynchronous Communications - Serial-line interface at various send/receive Baud rates; single or double buffered interfaces\
Automatic Calling Units - 10-Channel multiplexer
Laboratory devicesedit
Analog to Digital Converters
Digital to Analog Converters
Programmable Real-Time Clock
Digital I/O
Heathkit EU-801E Laboratory I/O buffered interface, provided a 12-bit wide data port to the PDP-8. Used by David Larsen (Virginia Tech) in his course to instruct researchers in interfacing minicomputers[8]
Terminalsedit
CRT and Data-Entry Terminals - Alphanumeric 16-character keyboards; standard telephone line transmission
Teletype Terminals - send and receive only; synchronous read and punch
Hard-Copy Terminals - Serial or parallel interfaces
Referencesedit
^ abDigital Equipment Corporation (1971). PDP-8/E : Small Computer Handbook. University of California: Digital Equipment Corporation. pp. 2–1.
^. www.livingcomputermuseum.org. Archived from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2016-07-05.
^"PDP-8/E and PDP-8/M Computer Information". www.pdp8.net. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
^Newest Members of the Worlds most Popular Minicomputer Family. Maynard, Massachusetts: Digital Equipment Corporation. 1973.
^"DEC's Blockbuster: The PDP-8 - CHM Revolution". www.computerhistory.org.
^"PDP-8/E and PDP-8/M Computer Information". pdp8.net. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
^PDP-8/E PDP-8/M & PDP-8/F Small Computer Handbook. Digital Equipment Corporation. 1973. p. 2-1, 2-3. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
^David Larson (September 18, 2015). "PDP-8 Minicomputer Interfacing - How to connect your PDP-8 to the outside world 1972".
External linksedit
Information on the PDP-8 Family from Old-computers.com
PDFs and Technical information
University of Iowa PDP information
May 09, 2024
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The PDP 8 e was a model of the PDP 8 line of minicomputers designed by the Digital Equipment Corporation to be a general purpose computer that inexpensively met the needs of the average user while also being capable of modular expansion to meet the more specific needs of advanced user 1 PDP 8 ePDP 8 e at the Living Computer Museum in Seattle WashingtonManufacturerDigital Equipment CorporationProduct familyPDP 8Generation6th GenerationRelease date1970Introductory price 6 500Operating systemOS 8 Label panel with PDP 8 e name CPU was built using DEC M series Flip Chip modules Front panel switches were grouped for octal notation Core memory plane for PDP 8 Contents 1 Description 2 Basic system 3 Peripherals 3 1 Processor options 3 2 Mass storage devices 3 3 Display devices 3 4 Data communications devices 3 5 Laboratory devices 3 6 Terminals 4 References 5 External linksDescription editThe first prototype was built in 1970 and was among the first minicomputers small enough to fit in the back seat of a Volkswagen Beetle Convertible 2 It originally sold for 6 500 but after 18 months the price was dropped to 4995 to make it the only computer under 5000 available at that time 3 The standard 8 e included a processor core memory a data terminal a tape control and drive a programmers table a line printer software operating system and when purchased included installation training and maintenance as part of the purchase agreement 4 The PDP 8 e featured a processor with single address fixed word length parallel transfer computer using 12 bit two s complement arithmetic The 1 2 1 4 microsecond cycle time provides a computation rate of 385 000 additions per second It was built to be versatile and has a high capacity input output that supports more than 60 types of peripherals 1 It could be used for a variety of tasks from keeping score at Fenway Park to monitoring stimuli to the brain during brain surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital 5 Basic system editThe basic PDP 8 E system was a 10 5 x 19 x 24 inch 6 6 rack unit rackmount or table top unit that contained the processor core memory front panel controls programmer s console console terminal interface for use with an external data terminal and 115 or 230 volt AC power supply 7 Peripherals editProcessor options edit Extended Arithmetic Element Enables the performance of complex arithmetic at high speeds FPP 12 Floating Point Processor Provides a dual processor capability for faster calculations Power Fail and Automatic Restart Restores operation automatically after a power failure and protects the operating program Real Time Clocks Programmable line frequency or crystal controlled intervals MI8 E hardware bootstrap an array of diodes allowing startup without manually toggling in the bootstrap via the front panel Mass storage devices edit DECtape magnetic tape drives RX01 8 inch floppy disk drives 256kB RK05 hard drive with removable cartridge 2 5 Mb Left rack in photo Paper Tape Readers and Punches Punches up to 50 characters a second reads up to 300 characters per second Card Readers Marked or punched cards read at 300 cards per minute Display devices edit Video and Writing Tablets Alphanumeric and graphic display point plot displays light pens telephone line transmission Hard Copy Devices incremental plotters line printers with 64 or 96 characters sets 165 characters per second or 356 lines per minute Data communications devices edit Synchronous Communications Modem interface for Bell 201 and 300 series modems or equivalent Asynchronous Communications Serial line interface at various send receive Baud rates single or double buffered interfaces Automatic Calling Units 10 Channel multiplexer Laboratory devices edit Analog to Digital Converters Digital to Analog Converters Programmable Real Time Clock Digital I O Heathkit EU 801E Laboratory I O buffered interface provided a 12 bit wide data port to the PDP 8 Used by David Larsen Virginia Tech in his course to instruct researchers in interfacing minicomputers 8 Terminals edit CRT and Data Entry Terminals Alphanumeric 16 character keyboards standard telephone line transmission Teletype Terminals send and receive only synchronous read and punch Hard Copy Terminals Serial or parallel interfacesReferences edit a b Digital Equipment Corporation 1971 PDP 8 E Small Computer Handbook University of California Digital Equipment Corporation pp 2 1 Exhibits Living Computer Museum www livingcomputermuseum org Archived from the original on 2016 02 05 Retrieved 2016 07 05 PDP 8 E and PDP 8 M Computer Information www pdp8 net Retrieved 5 July 2016 Newest Members of the Worlds most Popular Minicomputer Family Maynard Massachusetts Digital Equipment Corporation 1973 DEC s Blockbuster The PDP 8 CHM Revolution www computerhistory org PDP 8 E and PDP 8 M Computer Information pdp8 net Retrieved 2018 08 22 PDP 8 E PDP 8 M amp PDP 8 F Small Computer Handbook Digital Equipment Corporation 1973 p 2 1 2 3 Retrieved 2018 08 22 David Larson September 18 2015 PDP 8 Minicomputer Interfacing How to connect your PDP 8 to the outside world 1972 External links editInformation on the PDP 8 Family from Old computers com PDFs and Technical information University of Iowa PDP information Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title PDP 8 e amp oldid 1219947647, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
