Microverter - Q-bus to Unibus converter for PDP to LSI-11 migration

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Microverter ^TM

PDP Unibus to LSI Q-bus Migration
The EASY WAY

PDP maintenance costs going out of sight?
Old software won't migrate to the LSI platform?
Special Unibus devices not available on the Q-bus?
Other migrations require special software?

Microverter allows you to move Unibus I/O devices from a PDP11 series computers to the Q-bus of a more modern LSI-11 Microprocessor while maintaining full software compatibility. The Microverter is a Unibus to Q-bus converter much like ABLE's Qniverter product with the exception that it also fully emulates the I/O map registers of the PDP architecture that was removed from the LSI Q-bus architecture eliminating software compatibility. Even old versions of RTS, IAS, RSX, RSTS or even custom operating systems work with the Microverter.

Separate Chassis Approach

1. Install the Microverter board into the first quad Q-bus slot available after the LSI-11 processor making sure that if there is a open dual slot, that the grant lines have been jumpered or a bus grant board is installed.
2. Plug a standard Unibus expansion cable into the Microverter connectors on the top of the board.
3. Bypass the PDP-11 processor backplane and plug the other end of the Unibus expansion cable into the first A&B slot of an I/O backplane (move I/O modules as necessary) or replace the processor backplane with a DD11-C or DD11-D backplane from DEC.
4. Bring up power - reboot the system - YOU'RE DONE !

In-chassis Upgrade Approach - Microverter Plus

1. Replace the processor backplane with the Microverter Plus Backplane Assembly.
2. Install the Microverter Plus Console/Regulator board into its designated slot.
3. Install the Microverter into its designated slot with its Unibus jumper cable.
4. Re-install the backplane jumper between backplanes as necessary.
5. Install the LSI-11/73, 11/83, 11/93 etc., into the first Microverter Plus Backplane slot.
6. Make sure that all open Q-bus slots of the Microverter Plus Backplane have grant lines jumpered or have bus grant boards installed.
7. Bring up power - reboot the system - YOU'RE DONE !

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Microverter is a quad-width board that installs into a Q-bus slot and has a A&B unibus connector that accepts a standard Unibus expansion cable. The Microverter does a simple translation of Q-bus signals to their Unibus Equivalents and allows for full software transparent access to 4Mbyte by providing the registers an mapping capability of the 11/70, 11/74, 11/84, 11/44 computers etc. It also provides LTC capabilities if required. Microverter is strictly a hardware translation and thereby has no special software. Devices on the Unibus appear to the processor as if they are local to the Q-bus.

The Microverter Plus Backplane Assembly consists of a custom hex-width 9 slot backplane having 4 slots for Q-bus and 5 slots for Unibus devices. A Console/Regulator board is included for reducing the 15 volt power of the PDP11 chassis to the 12 volt power required by Q-bus devices. This Backplane is intended to replace the PDP11 processor and provides space for an LSI-11 processor, Q-bus memory and Q-bus PIO controllers.

Ordering Information

CR110-0-0, Microverter - 22 bit Qbus to Unibus Converter board
CR120-1-0, Microverter Plus Backplane with Console/Regulator board
538-280-602, Unibus Expansion Cable - 12 foot