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Overview

The PDP-16 family of modules was introduced in 1971,³ and a pre-assembled system using these modules, the PDP-16/M⁴⁵ was introduced in 1972.⁶ The 16/M was nicknamed "Subminicomputer" and described as "a small microprogrammable computer."⁷

The general-purpose modules included:

1. components to build a data path (registers, memories, ALUs, etc.)
2. components to build a control structure (evoke an operation in the datapath, branch on a condition from the datapath, merge, etc.)
3. other components necessary to complete a digital system (lights, switches, bus termination, backplane, etc.)

The control structure was similar to a flow chart, which was very familiar to software developers. As a result, the PDP-16 opened up digital system design to those with experience writing software but less hardware design experience than was traditionally required for this work.

These modules were in the company's M series of Flip-Chip modules, which used TTL circuit technology.

The economic strength of the PDP-16 was that it was effective "for designing unique (or relatively low production volume) systems."⁸

References

1. Gordon Bell. Designing computers and digital systems using PDP 16 Register Transfer Modules. /wiki/Gordon_Bell ↩

2. Grason, John; Bell, Gordon; John, Eggert (October 1973). "Designing computers and digital systems using PDP 16 Register Transfer Modules" (PDF). Computer. IEEE. https://gordonbell.azurewebsites.net/cgb%20files/commercialization%20of%20rtms%20computer%207310%20bw%20c.pdf ↩

3. Larry Watkins (May 1982). "A DEC History of Minicomputers". Hardcopy. pp. 12–19. The PDP-16 did exist and was sold, and was designed using DEC's Register Transfer Modules (RTMs). ↩

4. "The PDP-16 Register-Transfer Modules and The PDP-16/m "Subminicomputer"". http://www.insinga.com/aron/antique/rtm/pdp16.html ↩

5. "DEC PDP-16, Programmed Data Processor-16". http://www.computernostalgia.net/articles/pdp-16.htm ↩

6. Larry Watkins (May 1982). "A DEC History of Minicomputers". Hardcopy. pp. 12–19. The PDP-16 did exist and was sold, and was designed using DEC's Register Transfer Modules (RTMs). ↩

7. "The PDP-16 Register-Transfer Modules and The PDP-16/m "Subminicomputer"". http://www.insinga.com/aron/antique/rtm/pdp16.html ↩

8. "The PDP-16 Register-Transfer Modules and The PDP-16/m "Subminicomputer"". http://www.insinga.com/aron/antique/rtm/pdp16.html ↩