PDP-16

The PDP-16 (Programmed Data Processor-16)[1] was mainly intended for industrial control systems, but with more capability than DEC's PDP-14.

Overview

The PDP-16 family of modules was introduced in 1971,[2] and a pre-assembled system using these modules, the PDP-16/M[3][4] was introduced in 1972.[2] The 16/M was nicknamed "Subminicomputer" and described as "a small microprogrammable computer."[3]

The general-purpose modules included:

  1. components to build a data path (registers, memories, ALUs, etc.)
  2. components to build a control structure (evoke an operation in the datapath, branch on a condition from the datapath, merge, etc.)
  3. other components necessary to complete a digital system (lights, switches, bus termination, backplane, etc.)

The control structure was similar to a flow chart, which was very familiar to software developers. As a result, the PDP-16 opened up digital system design to those with experience writing software but less hardware design experience than was traditionally required for this work.

These modules were in the company's M series of Flip-Chip modules, which used TTL circuit technology.

The economic strength of the PDP-16 was that it was effective "for designing unique (or relatively low production volume) systems."[3]

References
  1. Gordon Bell. Designing computers and digital systems using PDP 16 Register Transfer Modules.
  2. Larry Watkins (May 1982). "A DEC History of Minicomputers". Hardcopy. pp. 12–19. The PDP-16 did exist and was sold, and was designed using DEC's Register Transfer Modules (RTMs).
  3. "The PDP-16 Register-Transfer Modules and The PDP-16/m "Subminicomputer"".
  4. "DEC PDP-16, Programmed Data Processor-16".


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