LPV11 Printer System

This user's manual describes the LPV11 printer system, a high-speed/line printer option designed for the LSI-11 family of microcomputers. The system comprises an LSI-11 bus-compatible interface module (M8027), a printer (either an LA180 DECprinter or an LP05 line printer), and an interface cable. Twelve models of the LPV11 are available, differing based on the printer type and primary power voltage.

The document provides detailed instructions for installing and programming the LPV11. Installation involves placing the interface module into an LSI-11 backplane and connecting the printer. It covers configuring interface module jumpers for device address, interrupt vector address, and optional features such as uppercase-only translation and parity mode. Proper device priority setup in the backplane is also explained.

For programming, the manual outlines specifications, including a summary of commands for both LP05 and LA180 printers, which handle certain non-printing characters differently. It details the LPV11's two device registers: the Line Printer Control and Status (LPCS) and the Line Printer Data Buffer (LPDB), explaining their bit functions and factory-configured bus addresses. Interrupt handling and a programming example are also provided.

A technical description of the LPV11 interface functions covers bus transceivers/drivers, device address decoding, print data transmission, uppercase translation logic, ready flag and LP strobe logic, error filtering, BRPLY delay, and initialization. The manual notes that the interface automatically selects the correct strobe source for the connected printer.

Finally, the maintenance section describes how to diagnose the system using the provided ZJ178-RB LPI1/LP05 diagnostic software, which tests both the interface module and printer functions. It also outlines minimum hardware requirements for running diagnostics and mentions that Digital Equipment Corporation offers maintenance services.