PDP11/15

From: Philip.Belben_at_powertech.co.uk <(Philip.Belben_at_powertech.co.uk)>
Date: Fri Aug 22 15:39:44 1997

Since no-one seems to have answered this, I shall put my bit in. I am no
PDP expert, though.

> After all the discussion here recently about collecting PDP11's I have
> located one which I intend negotiating for. I haven't actually seen it yet.
>
> It is a PDP11/15, a model number that I haven't seem mentioned. Is there a
> listing somewhere on the web that describes the various models as there is
> for PDP8's ?

The 11/15 and 11/20 were two variants of the original PDP11 CPU, which
came out in 1970 (I think). The processor itself may have been called
the KA11, but I am not sure of this. The difference between them was
system configuration, AFAIK.

> This one apparently dates from about 1970, and is probably incomplete.
> There was talk of a rack, the PDP11/15 itself, some RKO5 disk drives and
> some boxes labelled PDP11/10 which may be other computers. There is no
> other IO device other than front panel switches.

PDP 11/10 is usually an 11/05 variant (again the difference is
configuration of the system), dating from c. 1974 (and full of TTL -
74XX device codes and 74XX date codes can be very confusing). But I
have heard rumours of an 11/15 variant of that name. No doubt Allison,
Tim or Tony will tell you all about this. One day I shall get my 11/10
working...

> Could this equipment be used with a more recent terminal? I have no chance
> of finding a card reader or teletype but have access to several VT220's.

AFAIK it will require a current loop interface. Some quite late
terminals had this feature - I use something called a Westward Graphics
Terminal.

Philip.
Received on Fri Aug 22 1997 - 15:39:44 BST