Pdp-8/e Teletype Control Test

Summary

This document serves as the technical documentation and listing for the "PDP-8/E Teletype and KL8 Asynchronous Data Control Tests" (Product Code: MAINDEC-08-DHKLD-A-L). The program package is designed to verify the functionality of the KL8 logic (EIA or Current interface) and the attached teletype hardware (KSR33, ASR33, KSR35, ASR35, or KSR37).

Key contents include:

• Requirements: The program requires a PDP-8/E with at least 4K of memory and specific jumper configurations for EIA testing.
• Operating Procedures: Detailed instructions for setting memory locations to define teletype type, device codes, and baud rates.

• Test Suite: The package consists of 13 specific test programs (PRG0 through PRG12):

  • PRG0-PRG2: Basic logic tests for output, loop-around, and input.
  • PRG3-PRG7: Functional tests for individual components (reader, printer, punch, keyboard) and a combined test.
  • PRG10-PRG12: Utilities for exercising the reader/printer and generating test tapes.

• Error Reporting: A comprehensive table of error halts (by memory location) that provides descriptions of failures, such as illegal baud rates, unexpected interrupts, or logic failures, along with recovery/restart instructions.

• Program Listings: The document includes the full assembly language source code listing (PAL10) for the diagnostic software.