System Module

Modules used in early PDP computers

PDP-1 system module (with a replaced transistor) System Module 1103 hex-inverter card (both sides)

System Modules (originally known as System Building Blocks; the name was changed around 1961) are a DEC modular digital logic family which preceded the later FLIP CHIPs.[1] They connect to the units they are plugged into via a set of 22 gold-plated discrete pins along one edge.[2]

They use transistor inverter circuits, with the transistors operating saturated, to avoid dependence on tight tolerances; they use -3V and 0V as logic levels. Intended for prototyping as well as production, they include design features intended to avoid damage. They are provided with design advice which includes loading rules and wiring instructions.[3]

They were available in several compatible speed lines:

* 4000-Series: the second series, nominally 500 KHz, but some 1 MHz[4]
* 1000-Series: the original series, nominally 5 MHz[5]
* 6000-Series: higher speeds, nominally 10 MHz[6]
* 8000-Series: very high speeds, nominally 30 MHz[7]

In addition, special modules were available for purposes such as Input/Output (I/O) converters (to standard internal voltages), bus drivers, lamp and solenoid drivers, A/D conversion, relays, core memory drivers, etc.[8]

Larger assemblies which are part of the same family provide core memory testing devices. There are also power supplies, mounting panels with slots for the modules, cabinets to hold groups of mounting panels, indicator light panels, etc.[9]

## References

[edit]

Citations

1. ^ "Digital Logic Handbook", pg. 56
2. ^ "System Modules", pg. vii
3. ^ "System Modules", pg. 4.1-4.9
4. ^ "System Modules", pg. 6.1-6.40
5. ^ "System Modules", pg. 7.1-7.16
6. ^ "System Modules", pg. 8.1-8.13
7. ^ "30 Megacycle Modules"
8. ^ "System Modules", pg. 9.1-9.60
9. ^ "System Modules", pg. 10.1-10.35

Sources

* Bell, C. Gordon; Mudge, J. Craig; McNamara, John E. (1978). Computer Engineering: A DEC View of Hardware Systems Design. Bedford, MA, USA: Digital Press. ISBN 0-932376-00-2.
* Digital Logic Handbook. Maynard, Massachusetts: Digital Equipment Corporation. 1961.
* System Modules. Maynard, Massachusetts: Digital Equipment Corporation. 1964.

## External links

[edit]

* DEC Building Block Logic manual from the Computer History Museum, dated September 1960
* Digital Logic Handbook, Third Edition, dated March 1961.
* New Module Accessories, dated February 1964
* 30 Megacycle Modules, dated September 1964
* System Modules, dated 1968.

* v
* t
* e

Digital Equipment Corporation

Key people|

* Ken Olsen (founder and CEO, 1957–1992)
* Harlan Anderson (co-founder)
* Gordon Bell (VP of engineering)
* Robert Palmer (CEO, 1992–1998)

Instruction set
architectures,
processors|

| PDP-11|

* LSI-11
* F-11
* T-11
* J-11

|

VAX|

* V-11
* MicroVAX 78032
* CVAX
* SOC
* Rigel
* Mariah
* NVAX

Alpha|

* Alpha 21064
* 21066
* 21068
* Alpha 21164 (21164PC)
* Alpha 21264
* Alpha 21364
* Alpha 21464

Other|

* MicroPRISM
* StrongARM

Computer
terminals|

* VT05 (1970)
* GT40 (1972)
* VT50/VT52 (1975)
* VT55
* VT62
* VT100 (1978)
* VT101
* VT102
* VT103
* VT105
* VT131
* VT180
* VT220 (1983)
* VT240
* VT241
* VT320 (1987)
* VT330
* VT340
* VT420 (1990)
* VT1000 (1990)
* VT510 (1993)
* VT520 (1994)
* VT525

Operating
systems|

* DECsys
* 4K DMS
* COS
* TOPS-10
* RSX-15
* TSS/8
* OS/8
* DOS-11
* RT-11
* RSTS/E
* RSX-11
* IAS
* DSM-11
* TOPS-20
* VAX/VMS
* VAXELN
* ULTRIX
* Taos
* MICA
* OZIX
* Digital UNIX

Programming
languages|

* BASIC-8
* DIBOL
* FOCAL
* MACRO-10
* MACRO-11
* MUMPS
* VAX MACRO
* DIGITAL Command Language

Character sets|

* Code page 1100 (Multinational)
* Code page 1287 (Greek)
* Code page 1288 (Turkish)
* Hebrew
* National Replacement
* RADIX 50
* Special Graphics
* Technical

Bus standards|

* Digital Storage Systems Interconnect
* Massbus
* Q-Bus
* Standard Disk Interconnect
* Synchronous Backplane Interconnect
* TURBOchannel
* Unibus
* VAXBI

Other hardware|

* DECserver
* DECtalk
* DECtape
* DECwriter
* Digital Linear Tape
* Dynamically Redefined Character Set
* Firefly
* Flip-Chip module
* Gold key
* LK201
* LK421
* Mass Storage Control Protocol
* PALcode
* RA90
* RK05
* RL02
* Star coupler
* System Module
* TU81

Related topics|

* AdvFS
* AltaVista
* Compaq
* CPU Wars
* DECnet
* DECUS
* HP-Interex
* Digital Federal Credit Union
* Dynamic debugging technique
* FX!32
* Local Area Transport
* Maintenance Operations Protocol
* On-line Debugging Tool
* PALcode
* Record Management Services
* ReGIS
* Sequence and Batch Language
* Sixel
* System Reference Manual
* Systems Research Center
* TD/SMP
* The Ultimate Entrepreneur
* VT640
* WPS-8

* Computers template
* Category
* Commons

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template