Pdp-8/E Options

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the optional peripheral devices and internal hardware expansions available for the PDP-8/E computer. The content is organized into four main sections:

• Section 1: Mechanical Expansion Options: Details physical hardware, including system expander boxes (BA8-AA, BA8-AB, and BE8-A) that allow for modular system growth, and panel options (turn-key and blank front panels) for power control.
• Section 2: Computer Internal Options: Covers high-speed internal enhancements, specifically focusing on the KE8-E Extended Arithmetic Element (EAE). It provides detailed descriptions of EAE registers, timing logic, and programming instructions for both Mode A and Mode B operation, including arithmetic functions like multiplication, division, shifting, and normalization.
• Section 3: OMNIBUS Input/Output Equipment Options: Lists the standard peripheral options that interface via the OMNIBUS, such as teleprinters, tape readers, displays, plotters, and various analog-to-digital converters.
• Section 4: External Bus Input/Output Equipment Options: Describes the external bus interface equipment, including disk devices, magnetic tape systems, data acquisition modules, and specialized controllers for advanced I/O tasks.

The document also includes block diagrams illustrating how these various options connect to the PDP-8/E system architecture.