🚀 go-pugleaf

On Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:16:48 +0100, Brian Reay wrote:

> In the mid/late 70s, when I was at Uni, I had a vacation job and worked
> on a project involving the 6100 uP.
> 
> Initially, I was let loose on a simple singe board dev system (if you
> can call it that), a simple keyboard, 7 segment display etc, as was
> common at the time.
> 
> Eventually, I was trusted to use a 'real computer' - laughable by
> today's standards but ..... . It was a typical (at the time) 'Pizza Box'
> 6100 based unit, I'm pretty sure it had toggle switches for data and
> address set up etc but I used other machines around then and it was 40
> years ago, the usual LEDs etc. I/O was teletype etc.- no CRT etc.  I'm
> sure at the time, Intersil were the only make of the 6100 and probably
> made the Pizza Box.
> 
> Purely for old times sake, I'd like to try and acquire one- if the price
> is right.
> 
> Does anyone know the beast, please?

Yes, I do. Or, rather I have two of the 'second source' version, from 
Harris. The 6120, in fact, which was slightly enhanced.

You may know that the instruction set was that of the Digital Equipment 
Corp. PDP-8; a nice little, very successful minicomputer first announced 
on 28th May 1965. That used discrete logic, then later SSI TTL logic. 
They ended up with the 6100/6120.

I have built two kits using the 6120, but I obtained the actual CPU chips 
as part of the kits, from someone who had acquired a limited supply. The 
kits are no longer available.

Here are both versions:

  http://www.bobeager.uk/projects.html#sbc6120

The panel is a near replica on an early model of the PDP-8.

You can't get the chip, but there is a PDP-8 simulator available for most 
platforms, which simulates the entire instruction set. Even better, there 
is a kit available (the PiDP-8) which is a scale model (physically) of a 
later version of the PDP-8. I have the kit, but no tuit yet!

 http://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-8

Lots of software and resources available for the 6100/6120/PDP-8.

There is also a PiDP-11...I have that too.

The PDP-8 architecture is very simple. 12 bit word, with a 3 bit opcode 
field (i.e. 8 instructions!). TAD (add), DCA (store and clear 
accumulator), AND, JMP, JMS (subroutine call), ISZ (increment and skip if 
zero). Then an I/O group (IOT) and the operate group (instructions not 
needing an address).

The other 9 bits were a 7 bit address, a bit for indirection, and a bit 
setting the address 'page' (128 word block), either the current one of 
the zeroth one (rather like the 6502 years later).

The operate group used the address bits to specify microcoded actions.

Many resources, but here's an example.

 http://homepage.divms.uiowa.edu/~jones/pdp8/man/index.html
-- 
Using UNIX since v6 (1975)...

Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
 http://www.mirrorservice.org

On 23/07/18 13:04, Bob Eager wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:16:48 +0100, Brian Reay wrote:
> 
>> In the mid/late 70s, when I was at Uni, I had a vacation job and worked
>> on a project involving the 6100 uP.
>>
>> Initially, I was let loose on a simple singe board dev system (if you
>> can call it that), a simple keyboard, 7 segment display etc, as was
>> common at the time.
>>
>> Eventually, I was trusted to use a 'real computer' - laughable by
>> today's standards but ..... . It was a typical (at the time) 'Pizza Box'
>> 6100 based unit, I'm pretty sure it had toggle switches for data and
>> address set up etc but I used other machines around then and it was 40
>> years ago, the usual LEDs etc. I/O was teletype etc.- no CRT etc.  I'm
>> sure at the time, Intersil were the only make of the 6100 and probably
>> made the Pizza Box.
>>
>> Purely for old times sake, I'd like to try and acquire one- if the price
>> is right.
>>
>> Does anyone know the beast, please?
> 
> Yes, I do. Or, rather I have two of the 'second source' version, from
> Harris. The 6120, in fact, which was slightly enhanced.
> 

Interesting, I thought Harris bought out Intersil but perhaps not.

> You may know that the instruction set was that of the Digital Equipment
> Corp. PDP-8; a nice little, very successful minicomputer first announced
> on 28th May 1965. That used discrete logic, then later SSI TTL logic.
> They ended up with the 6100/6120.

I recall the Instruction set was the PDP one.
> 
> I have built two kits using the 6120, but I obtained the actual CPU chips
> as part of the kits, from someone who had acquired a limited supply. The
> kits are no longer available.
> 
> Here are both versions:
> 
>    http://www.bobeager.uk/projects.html#sbc6120
> 
> The panel is a near replica on an early model of the PDP-8.
> 
> You can't get the chip, but there is a PDP-8 simulator available for most
> platforms, which simulates the entire instruction set. Even better, there
> is a kit available (the PiDP-8) which is a scale model (physically) of a
> later version of the PDP-8. I have the kit, but no tuit yet!
> 
>   http://obsolescence.wixsite.com/obsolescence/pidp-8
> 
> Lots of software and resources available for the 6100/6120/PDP-8.
> 
> There is also a PiDP-11...I have that too.
> 
> The PDP-8 architecture is very simple. 12 bit word, with a 3 bit opcode
> field (i.e. 8 instructions!). TAD (add), DCA (store and clear
> accumulator), AND, JMP, JMS (subroutine call), ISZ (increment and skip if
> zero). Then an I/O group (IOT) and the operate group (instructions not
> needing an address).
> 
> The other 9 bits were a 7 bit address, a bit for indirection, and a bit
> setting the address 'page' (128 word block), either the current one of
> the zeroth one (rather like the 6502 years later).
> 
> The operate group used the address bits to specify microcoded actions.
> 
> Many resources, but here's an example.
> 
>   http://homepage.divms.uiowa.edu/~jones/pdp8/man/index.html
> 

Thank you, I will have a look.

On Mon, 23 Jul 2018, Brian Reay wrote:

> In the mid/late 70s, when I was at Uni, I had a vacation job and worked on a 
> project involving the 6100 uP.
>
> Initially, I was let loose on a simple singe board dev system (if you can 
> call it that), a simple keyboard, 7 segment display etc, as was common at the 
> time.
>
> Eventually, I was trusted to use a 'real computer' - laughable by today's 
> standards but ..... . It was a typical (at the time) 'Pizza Box' 6100 based 
> unit, I'm pretty sure it had toggle switches for data and address set up etc 
> but I used other machines around then and it was 40 years ago, the usual LEDs 
> etc. I/O was teletype etc.- no CRT etc.  I'm sure at the time, Intersil were 
> the only make of the 6100 and probably made the Pizza Box.
>
> Purely for old times sake, I'd like to try and acquire one- if the price is 
> right.
>
> Does anyone know the beast, please?
>

The 6100's big fame was that it was an IC version of the PDP-8.  It rand 
the code, but of course missed out on the front panel and probably some 
other missing bits.

Someone I knew got a contract to computerize a local vinyl record press, 
and I'm not sure how that started, but he had someone in who was very 
familiar with the PDP-8, though of course the Intersil 6100 had the 
secondary advantage of being CMOS, low current.  So they made a board, 
worked the software, with a probably expensive terminal that fitted into a 
calculator case, I can't remember any details beyond that.  So they got it 
going, tested it at the plant, and then produced a bunch.  This was 1980, 
little did they know the future was in CDs.

I don't recall a development board or system made by Intersil.  I do 
vaguely recall there was a commerical computer that used the 6100, but 
details escape me.  This wasn't a big company, so not a familiar name.  I 
think there was an article in Kilobaud about it, but maybe it was Byte.

   Michael

Check this out.  It's a new implementation of the a single board computer based on the 6120.

David


https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/doku.php?id=boards:sbc:sbc6120-rbc-edition:start

Michael Black <mbl...@pubnix.net> writes:
>On Mon, 23 Jul 2018, Brian Reay wrote:
>
>> In the mid/late 70s, when I was at Uni, I had a vacation job and worked on a 
>> project involving the 6100 uP.
>>
>> Initially, I was let loose on a simple singe board dev system (if you can 
>> call it that), a simple keyboard, 7 segment display etc, as was common at the 
>> time.
>>
>> Eventually, I was trusted to use a 'real computer' - laughable by today's 
>> standards but ..... . It was a typical (at the time) 'Pizza Box' 6100 based 
>> unit, I'm pretty sure it had toggle switches for data and address set up etc 
>> but I used other machines around then and it was 40 years ago, the usual LEDs 
>> etc. I/O was teletype etc.- no CRT etc.  I'm sure at the time, Intersil were 
>> the only make of the 6100 and probably made the Pizza Box.
>>
>> Purely for old times sake, I'd like to try and acquire one- if the price is 
>> right.
>>
>> Does anyone know the beast, please?
>>
>
>The 6100's big fame was that it was an IC version of the PDP-8.  It rand 

pun intended?

>the code, but of course missed out on the front panel and probably some 
>other missing bits.
>

CJL talks about a logic bomb in FOCAL 69 when run on a non-DEC PDP-8
clone.

>Someone I knew got a contract to computerize a local vinyl record press, 
>and I'm not sure how that started, but he had someone in who was very 
>familiar with the PDP-8, though of course the Intersil 6100 had the 
>secondary advantage of being CMOS, low current.  So they made a board, 
>worked the software, with a probably expensive terminal that fitted into a 
>calculator case, I can't remember any details beyond that.  So they got it 
>going, tested it at the plant, and then produced a bunch.  This was 1980, 
>little did they know the future was in CDs.

Although there is somewhat of a resurgance in vinyl sales - probably
one of the best markets for someone with an old, but well maintained
collection to sell into.

On Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:04:56 GMT, Bob Eager <news...@eager.cx> wrote:

[]
> 
>   http://www.bobeager.uk/projects.html#sbc6120

You program your /doorbell/? wow!

-- 
Bah, and indeed, Humbug.

On 23/07/2018 20:57, Kerr-Mudd,John wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:04:56 GMT, Bob Eager <news...@eager.cx> wrote:
> 
> []
>>
>>    http://www.bobeager.uk/projects.html#sbc6120
> 
> You program your /doorbell/? wow!
> 

Doesn't everyone? ;-)



-- 

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On Mon, 23 Jul 2018 19:57:59 +0000, Kerr-Mudd,John wrote:

> On Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:04:56 GMT, Bob Eager <news...@eager.cx> wrote:
> 
> []
>> 
>>   http://www.bobeager.uk/projects.html#sbc6120
> 
> You program your /doorbell/? wow!

Fairly simple. The bell push pulls an input on an Arduino. That sends a 
signal via USB to a daemon running in an Asterisk box. 

The daemon queues a call to all extensions in the house (ten VoIP phones) 
with a special urgent sounding cadence.

-- 
Using UNIX since v6 (1975)...

Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
 http://www.mirrorservice.org

On 23/07/2018 17:30, David Jones wrote:
> Check this out.  It's a new implementation of the a single board computer based on the 6120.
> 
> David
> 
> 
> https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/doku.php?id=boards:sbc:sbc6120-rbc-edition:start
> 

Thank you.

Interesting but, as I was looking for 'nostalgia', I'm hoping to 
discover one of the old machines.

(I'd really like a Data General Nova (one of the machines we had at Uni) 
  but, as understanding as my wife is, I think that may be pushing my 
luck. )

-- 

Suspect someone is claiming a benefit under false pretences? Incapacity
Benefit or Personal Independence Payment when they don't need it? They 
are depriving those in real need!

https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

On Mon, 23 Jul 2018, Brian Reay wrote:

> On 23/07/2018 17:30, David Jones wrote:
>> Check this out.  It's a new implementation of the a single board computer 
>> based on the 6120.
>> 
>> David
>> 
>> 
>> https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/doku.php?id=boards:sbc:sbc6120-rbc-edition:start
>> 
>
> Thank you.
>
> Interesting but, as I was looking for 'nostalgia', I'm hoping to discover one 
> of the old machines.
>
> (I'd really like a Data General Nova (one of the machines we had at Uni) 
> but, as understanding as my wife is, I think that may be pushing my luck. )
>
Do a search on "intersil 6100 kit".

It shows that Intersil did offer a 6100 board, but a glance shows no front 
panel.  I think it was called a "6960 sampler".

But also, there was a "PCM-12", from PCM, that offered a complete 
computer, I didn't notice if it was a kit or assembled, and it has a front 
panel, and that's probably what I remember reading about back then.

   Michael

On 24/07/2018 04:41, Michael Black wrote:
> On Mon, 23 Jul 2018, Brian Reay wrote:
> 
>> On 23/07/2018 17:30, David Jones wrote:
>>> Check this out.  It's a new implementation of the a single board 
>>> computer based on the 6120.
>>>
>>> David
>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/doku.php?id=boards:sbc:sbc6120-rbc-edition:start 
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> Interesting but, as I was looking for 'nostalgia', I'm hoping to 
>> discover one of the old machines.
>>
>> (I'd really like a Data General Nova (one of the machines we had at 
>> Uni) but, as understanding as my wife is, I think that may be pushing 
>> my luck. )
>>
> Do a search on "intersil 6100 kit".
> 
> It shows that Intersil did offer a 6100 board, but a glance shows no 
> front panel.  I think it was called a "6960 sampler".


There was definitely a single board beast with a 7 segment display, 
membrane keyboard etc, I spent many hours on it. (Albeit 40 years ago.)

I assume it was made by Intersil.


> 
> But also, there was a "PCM-12", from PCM, that offered a complete 
> computer, I didn't notice if it was a kit or assembled, and it has a 
> front panel, and that's probably what I remember reading about back then.


The one I'm looking for had a front panel, it was almost Pizza box style 
(flat rectangular box) but not square in plan view. Cream/White with a 
blue front.  I doubt it was a kit. Not impossible but it didn't have the 
'kit look'.


-- 

Suspect someone is claiming a benefit under false pretences? Incapacity
Benefit or Personal Independence Payment when they don't need it? They 
are depriving those in real need!

https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

On Monday, July 23, 2018 at 4:45:49 PM UTC-4, Brian Reay wrote:
> On 23/07/2018 17:30, David Jones wrote:
> > Check this out.  It's a new implementation of the a single board computer based on the 6120.
> > 
> > David
> > 
> > 
> > https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/doku.php?id=boards:sbc:sbc6120-rbc-edition:start
> > 
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> Interesting but, as I was looking for 'nostalgia', I'm hoping to 
> discover one of the old machines.
> 
> (I'd really like a Data General Nova (one of the machines we had at Uni) 
>   but, as understanding as my wife is, I think that may be pushing my 
> luck. )
> 


Golly, you might be in luck:
http://www.cpushack.com/2017/11/14/cpu-of-the-day-fairchild-f9445-the-microflame-flames-out/

Strobe data products seems to be still around:
http://www.strobedata.com/home/introduction.html

http://www.gcc-inc.com/strobe/hawkproduct.html

   - Tim