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ED-25610-47

1983

6 pages

Original

7.1MB

Document:	Microvax I Brochure 19
Order Number:	ED-25610-47
Revision:
Pages:	6
Original Filename:	http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/vax/610/ED-25610-47_Microvax_I_Brochure_1983.pdf

OCR Text

MicroVACI
32--bit Microcomputer

Choose 32-bit Power With
Q-bus Economy.
The MicroVAX I system brings VAX
power, speed, and high perf?rr~ance
to your microcomputer appl.1cat1o_ns.
The MicroVAX I package itself 1s
truly micro in size, with a two-board
CPU, two quad expansion s!ots, 1/0
ports, power supply, and Winchester
and floppy disk storage all in one compact, "underdesk'.' unit. . . .
For configuration fleXIb1hty, you
can pick one of three versions: floorstand, tabletop, or rack mount. You
can choose the package that sl!its your
application location-w~ether in the
office, in the factory, or in the lab. No
special "computer room" environment
is needed.
This compact, flexible computer
packs "big system" architecture i~to a
micro, to give you some extraordinary
benefits. For instance:
Its four-Gbyte virtual address space
means that overlays are a thing of the
past.
Memory management protects programs by automatically providing each
program with its own virtual address
space.
.
Sixteen 32-bit general purp<?se registers can make program execution
more efficient by providing fast temporary storage for temporary variables.
The eight-Kbyte direct-mapped
cache memory speeds instruction execution and data references by providing faster access to memory. The CPU
accesses new microinstructions every
250 nanoseconds, and requires just
500 nanoseconds to execute.
Also, 21 addressing modes let
.
instructions access memory more flexibly.
Any nonprivileged native-mode .
code written for any VMS system will
execute unmodified on the MicroVAX I.
About the only "big VAX" feature missing is PDP-11 compatibility mode.
One of the challenges in producing
the MicroVAX I product was to reduce
hardware costs yet maintain perform-

ance. Part of the solution was to emulate some little-used instructions and
data types using microcode-assisted
software. The CPU hardware is especially designed to make this emulation
most efficient, so that MicroVAX I can
give you VAX performance at a size
and price never before seen in a VAX
system.
Specifically, decimal and packed
decimal math instructions were moved
to software, as well as some string
instructions. Two floating point data
types (D, the double precision format,
and H, the 128-bit format), and a few
others are also emulated.
Of course, MicroVAX I is more than
a set of CPU modules: it's the most
complete system s<?lution in 32-~it
micros. By supporting Q-bus opt10ns
and interfaces, MicroVAX I computers

offer a ready selection of standard Qbus equipment, including:
• Main memory modules: a 256-Kbyte
dual-size board and a 512-Kbyte
quad-size board, both based on 64
Kb RAM chips.
• Mass storage devices: the 800-Kbyte
RXSO 511.i" dual diskette drive, the
10-Mbyte RDS l 511.i" Winchester
drive, and a 28-Mbyte 51/.i" Winchester drive.
• Peripheral interfaces: for hardcopy
terminals, plus alphanumeric and
graphic video terminals.
• Realtime laboratory interfaces: such
as analog/ digital converters, analog
multiplexers, and digital input.
• Ethernet local area network interface.

The CPU Is Designed for High
Perlormance.
The MicroVAX I hardware uses a special design that includes cache memory, a prefetch buffer, and a two-board
CPU with 32-bit internal data path.
The CPU modules communicate
through two internal buses, the 8-bit
memory control bus and 32-bit memory data bus. The memory data bus is
contained in one over-the-board ribbon cable consisting of 32 data lines
and ground. This bus provides 32-bit
data transfers between the CPU and
cache memory.
The execution speed of the
MicroVAX I CPU requires fast memory
access. We shortened the effective
memory access time by including a
data cache, placing it together with the
translation buffer. More than 70 percent of read/write accesses are cache
hits, which involve only the internal
32-bit memory data bus.
For those memory accesses that do
use the Q-bus, block mode capability
is exercised whenever possible to
match the 16-bit Q-bus with the 32-bit
cache and internal data paths. Only
one address (at the base of the block)
is needed to transfer a 32-bit data longword on the Q-bus.
We also included a 16-byte-deep
prefetch buffer. All instructions go into
cache before going onto the prefetch
buffer, so that instructions that are
used again very soon involve no memory access at all. This is excellent for
executing small loops.
Thousands of Q-buses Are
Already Doing I/ 0.
MicroVAX I is compatible with a variety
of existing Q-bus backplane options
and memories already supplied by
Digital and other vendors. In fact,
more interfaces, options, and devices
exist for the Q-bus than any other
microbus in the world. It is a standard
in the industry. You may already have
an investment in Q-bus hardware; if
so, then you can now make that
investment pay off in future 32-bit
applications. If you're now contemplat-

Q.Bus Modules:
KD32·AA
Distribution Insert

MSV1 1

DZV tl
RX-RD Conlroller

B•ckpl•ne
Signal Distribution Board

Power Supply

RD51

Fans
RX50

Control P•nel

A ir Dire ction

On/Off

MicroVAX I Exploded View

ing design starts, you'll find out just
how practical and economical the Qbus advantage can make your application.
A four-row, eight-slot backplane
incorporates the 22-bit Q-bus for 1/0
with a variety of options at data rates
up to 2.5 Mbytes per second. Block
mode data transfers give the Q-bus its
high performance. The backplane can
accept either quad- or double-height
modules. You have your choice of two
quad-height families of Digital memory
modules, 256 Kbytes or 512 Kbytes of
RAM storage.
The CPU communicates with
peripheral devices on the Q-bus
through standard Q-bus pinning. Four
patch panels make it easy for you to
connect devices and select data transmission rates from 50 to 19.2K baud
without opening the system unit. One
panel connects the console terminal,
two panels are available to support
four EIA communication lines each,

and another panel is available for
attaching communication gear such as
Ethernet.

The Smallest VAX Is Engineered
for Quality.
MicroVAX I is engineered for quality,
with Digital's high manufacturing
standards ensuring that its reliability is
fully realized.
The modular, 230-watt power supply includes such features as thermal
shutdown, overvoltage and overcurrent protection, ac input transient suppression, and three Q-bus signals. The
power supply guarantees a minimum
four millisecond powerdown time.
Built-in diagnostics and error correcting features, many of which can be
run concurrently with normal processing, ensure that if a failure does occur,
it can be corrected quickly. Consequently, downtime is minimized, service calls reduced, and your maintenance costs lowered.

System Software Is Key to
Your Growth and WellBeing.
We've created a MicroVAX software
product family that gives you the most
valuable "extra" in the software businE'.55: choice. To get the most out of a
microcomputer system where space
and performance are at a premium,
you want to choose the software that
comes closest to your needs. The
greater your range of choices, the better your system will serve you.
MicroVAX I operating sytems and
software packages have been planned
carefully to present you with the most
useful choices in the industry. Its gener~I purpose operating system,
MicroVMS, is a modular version of
VMS, well-known worldwide for its
broad range of capabilities and userfriendliness. For UNIX programmers
there is MicroVAX ULTRIX, Digital's
versio1_1 of Berkeley UNIX, the popular
operating system originally developed
on Digital's computers.
In addition to operating systems
M~croVAX I supports many progra~
ming languages and software products.
Software packages exist for such applications as office systems and database
management.
A special toolkit called VAXElan
turns M.icroVAX I into an outstanding
computing system for dedicated timecritical appl!cations such as laboratory
data aqu1s1t1on and factory automation.
VAXE!an is a set of software tools for
creatins concurrent multitasking programs in PASCAL, plus a library of
software modules. These modules
make a streamlined software executive
that supplies necessary services to the
application without the overhead of a
general-purpose system.

Compatibility Makes-or
Breaks-a Network.
It's clear that MicroVAX I offers the
most complete system solution in 32bit n:iic~os, and it~ VAX advantage pays
off big in compatible communications
and distributed processing.
. Anyone who needs to pool processing power and distribute information
across a network knows the fundamental ~mport.a~ce of making systems
compatible. D1g1tal Network Architecture (DNA) is a flexible and far-reaching design for communication that
links systems to share programs and
dat~. ON~ f~nctional components are
defined within several distinct layers.
Each layer performs a set of network
functions via network protocols.
Based on DNA, DECnet communicati~m software links Digital's computers in~o ~etworks for resource sharing
and d1stnbuted processing. DECnet
networks can dynamically route information from system to system along
the most efficient path from source to
d~ti.nation. Establishing links this way
ehm1_nate:> the need for a single, direct
physical link between each pair of systems. Adaptive routing lets the network change the course of messages to
bypass problem links and to balance
message loads evenly throughout the
network.
In addition to wide area DECnet
networks for distributed processing,
the Ethernet local area network allows
MicroVAX I systems to unite their computing resources in a small geographical area. Also available are products to
connect MicroVAX I systems to other
manufacturers' equipment such as
IBM's.
'

Don't Just Pick a
Processor. Select a
System.
Today more than ever before, it's
important that your micro be more
than just any processor coupled with
any programming. Your applications
demand a tight meshing of hardware
and software for maximum performance. Your future growth demands
continued support and product development over the long term. You can't
~e satisfied with just part of the equation or half of the answer.
That's why MicroVAX I is your systei:n .solution today and tomorrow.
Jommg the VAX family of systems lets
you move easily up a product line of
compatible micros and superminicomputers that all share one architecture
It's the best way to prepare for growth.
Where w~ll you be in the years to
come? Will you be developing new,
more powerful products? Adding more
~sers and resources to your organization? Whatever the directions your
growth may take, MicroVAX I lets you
C(_)1:JCe~trate on capability and compatibility nght now.
For tomorrow.

To Find Out More...
To find out more about MicroVAX I
products from Digital, contact your
sales representative or write to:
. ~edia R~sponse Manager
Digital Equipment Corporation
200 Baker Ave.
Concord, MA 01742

A New Breed of Micro. A New Breed of VAX.
Digital's new MicroVAX I system brings you 32-bit performance in
a micro package. It's perfect for any microcomputer job that
requires 32-bit computing power, from dedicated realtime applications to small office systems and small business data processing.
Even more important, MicroVAX I brings you the VAX advantage.
Now one computer architecture, VAX, accommodates your computing needs from microcomputers to mainframes. So your software investment is protected even while your computing needs
grow. So your communications network can put the right computing power just where it's needed, efficiently. So you can count on
continuing service and support from the second-largest computer
company in the world.
As the smallest member of the VAX line, MicroVAX I gives you the
same software advantages that made VAX famous-at a microcomputer size and price. In fact, the array of MicroVAX I system software is unmatched in 32-bit micros, and includes a general purpose operating system, a realtime programming toolkit, and a
Berkeley UNIX* operating system.
When you add it all up, MicroVAX I may have just what you're
looking for. 32-bit performance. The VAX advantage. Unmatched
software power. Micro size and price.
It's a microcomputer bred especially for your future.

Highlights
• Entire system unit-including 2S.Mbyte disk, dual 400-Kbyte
diskette drive, 230-watt modular power supply, eight-slot Q-bus
backplane, and 1/0 ports-fits easily under a desk.
• Memory mapping provides four Gbyte virtual address space
using a 512-entry translation buffer.
• Memory management provides program protection through separate address spaces.
• Sixteen 32-bit general purpose registers can make program execution efficient.
• Eight Kbyte direct-mapped cache memory speeds instruction
execution and data references.
•Vectored hardware and software interrupts on 32 levels improve
I/0 response.
• Operating systems include MicroVMS for general purpose multiuser support and MicroVAX ULTRIX for UNIX programming.
• VAXElan programming toolkit supplies development utilities
and executive for dedicated, time-critical applications.
UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories.

Specifications
Electrical
Line Voltage:
120 Vac nominal, single phase, 3-wire, 88-128 V RMS.
240 Vac nominal, single phase, 3-wire, 176-256 V RMS.
Line Frequency:
47-63 Hz for either input voltage range.
Input Line Current:
120 Vac: 4.4 A RMS.
240 Vac: 2.2 A RMS.
Inrush Current:
90 A peak for half cycle of the input line for either voltage
range.
Real Input Power:
320 input maximum at full-rated DC output load of 230W.
Circuit Breaker:
Input circuit breaker rating is 7 A for either input voltage
range.
Output Power:
(combinations not to exceed 230 W)
+SV ±3% ; 4.5-36A.
+ 12 V ± 3%; 0 - 6 A.
+9 V ± 3%; 0.45 A.
+ 12 V± 3% ; 0.45 A.
Panel Controls:
AC ON/OFF
HALT
RF.START
FIXED DISK WRITE PROTECT
Panel Indicators:
RUN
DCOK

Mechanical
Width, Height, Depth Dimensions, Rack Mount:
48.3 x 13.3 x 63.5 cm (19 x 5.25 x 25 in).
Width, Height, Depth Dimensions, Floor Stand:
25.4 x 62.3 x 68.5 cm (10 x 24.5 x 27 in).
Width, height, Depth Dimensions, Tabletop:
54.6 x 15.2 x 68.5 cm (21.5 x 6 x 27 in).
Weight (chassis only):
22.68 kg (under 50 lbs).
Operating Temperature:
15 - 32 °C (59 - 90 °F) at sea level.
Operating Humidity:
20- 80% relative humidity, noncondensing. ·
Options

Memory:
512 Kbyte parity MOS memory quad card.
256 Kbyte parity MOS memory quad card.
Storage:
RQDXl Controller module.
ROSI 10-Mbyte Winchester drive.
Integral 28-Mbyte Winchester drive.
RXSO 800-Kbyte (dual 400 Kbyte) floppy drive.
Communications:
DEQNA dual-height Q-bus-to-NI adapter.

READY

REMOVABLE DISK WRITE PROTECT 1
REMOVABLE DISK WRITE PROTECT 2

The information in this document is subject to change without notice
and should not be construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Digital Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: MicroVAX I, MicroVMS, MicroVAX ULTR IX, VAXElan , DEC, DECsystem-IO, DECSYSTEM-20, DECUS, DECmate,
DECnet, DECwriter, DIBOL, the Digital logo, MASSBUS, PDP, P/ OS, Professional , Rainbow, RSTS, RSX, UNIBUS, VAX, VMS, VT.