MSV11-P User Guide

This document is a User Guide for the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) MSV11-P family of MOS RAM memory modules, published in August 1981.

It provides detailed information for the installation, configuration, functional operation, and maintenance of these memory modules designed for the LSI-11 bus.

Key aspects covered include:

• Product Overview: The MSV11-P modules are quad-height MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Random Access Memory (RAM) boards, providing 18-bit word storage (16 data bits + 2 parity bits). They include parity control circuitry and a Control and Status Register (CSR). Three versions are detailed: MSV11-PL (256K words/512K bytes), MSV11-PK (128K words/256K bytes), using 64K bit chips, and MSV11-PF (64K words/128K bytes), using 16K bit chips.
• Specifications: Detailed functional, electrical (voltages, power requirements for different versions), and environmental specifications (temperature, humidity, airflow) are provided. MOS RAMs require self-contained refresh cycles (e.g., every 14.5 µs).
• Installation: Emphasizes safe handling (power off, correct orientation) and extensive jumper configuration for customizing the module. This includes setting the module's starting address on an 8K boundary within the LSI-11 address space, configuring the CSR address, and setting power jumpers (including options for 16K/64K chips and battery backup, though battery backup is noted as not supported by Digital). General wire-wrap guidelines are also included.
• Functional Description: Explains how the MSV11-P modules interface with the LSI-11 bus as slave devices, handling various bus cycles (DATI, DATO, DATIO). It details the address logic, memory array operations, timing and control, and especially the parity logic. The parity logic generates parity bits on writes and checks them on reads, signaling errors via a red LED, a CSR bit, and bus signals. The CSR also records the address of faulty data and has diagnostic capabilities (e.g., forcing wrong parity).
• Maintenance: Outlines preventive maintenance procedures such as visual inspection, power voltage checks, and diagnostic testing using Digital's specific software (MAINDEC-11 CVMSA and CZKMAA).

The document serves as a comprehensive guide for users to understand, set up, and troubleshoot the MSV11-P memory modules within an LSI-11 system.