Pdp-8e Memory Extension and Time Share Control Test

This document is a technical manual and program listing for the PDP-8/E Memory Extension and Time Share Control Test. The diagnostic program is designed to exercise and test all Input/Output Transfer (IOT) operations related to the memory extension and time-sharing capabilities of the PDP-8/E computer.

Key aspects include:

• Requirements: The program requires a PDP-8/E computer with the KM8-E option installed and at least 4K of extended memory. It must reside in Field 0 to execute.
• Purpose: It ensures proper functionality of memory extensions, time-sharing modes (enabled and disabled), interrupt logic, and memory field switching (CDF, CIF, RDF, RIF).
• Operational Procedures: The manual provides specific switch register settings for operators to initiate various tests, including verifying memory extension portions and time-share control.
• Error Handling: Errors during execution trigger a "halt" or a "jump to self." Users are directed to reference the provided program listing to identify and troubleshoot the specific failure.
• Testing Scope: The diagnostic includes sixteen specific tests covering various instruction combinations, interrupt buffer operations, auto-index registers, and trap mechanisms for protected "user mode" operations.
• Technical Details: The bulk of the document consists of the commented assembly language source code listing, including symbol tables and cross-references, providing a comprehensive audit trail of the memory extension logic.