Unusual DEC module: what is this thing?

From: Tom Uban <uban_at_ubanproductions.com>
Date: Mon Dec 15 11:43:05 2003

Bob,

That is a MOS memory module for an 11/45. I have a couple different varieties
of those and would like to plug them into my 11/45, but in order to utilize
them, I believe that I would also need the M8110 MOS memory control module,
which I have not been able to locate.

If you need to find a home for the board, I'm interested...

--tom

At 12:35 PM 12/15/2003 -0500, Bob Shannon wrote:

>Does anyone recognise the following DEC module?
>
>HIGH SPEED MOS MEM MAT MS1440 G401C
>
>This is THE most unusual DEC board I've ever seen personally, and also the
>most
>beautiful.
>
>This board has an extreamly early example of an LED in the upper right
>hand corner
>where a machined metal stiffener is used in place of the usual cast part
>used on other
>Unibus boards. This stiffener appears to have been milled out of an
>extrusion, by
>hand. Nylon hardware is used along with the more conventional eye-ring
>rivits.
>
>The outside edge of this milled part is stamped 'G401'.
>
>This LED is made from a gold-clad machined metal case unlike anyI've ever seen
>(including those seen on the LED museum web site). I can't see the part
>number
>on the case, but I'd bet its a Hewlett Packard. This LED alone may well
>be worth
>more than the whole module!
>
>The IC's are an orderly mix of grey plastic, gold leaded Intel P1103-1's,
>and gold on white
>ceramic (with grey lead-frame traces) Intel 3207-1's.
>
>Arrays of individual resistors form high speed DC terminators for the
>arrays of 1103's and
>3207's, and a small handful of TTL parts complete the list of chips.
>
>The TTL datecodes suggest its from 1970.
>
>The memory chips are not so easy to understand, the P1103-1's are marked:
>
>P1103-1
>0531
>
>And the 3207's are marked:
>
>3207-1
>S183
>B0536
>
>Both feature a large 'i" logo to the left of the markings. Clearly very
>early Intel parts.
>
>I suspect that this ~may~ have been a 'live spare' for a PDP 11T55 I once
>owned
>and ran many years ago. If anyone knows what this board is, I'd love to know.
>
>I can try to get a digital photo made, but that may take some time. If
>someone 'just
>has to' own this board, I'm willing to talk. The overall condition of the
>board is excellent
>and very few of the decoupling caps have scratches from installation and
>removal. The
>unusual edge-stiffener also shows unusually little ware.
>
>
Received on Mon Dec 15 2003 - 11:43:05 GMT