Data General Corporation’s MPT/100 computer is a microNOVA desktop product for original equipment manufacturers, end-users, system developers, and software suppliers with applications in technical, educational and scientific marketplaces. The MPT/100 has a microNOVA instruction set and executes the MP/OS operating system. This feature assists system designers and end-users in developing, implementing and executing tailored software for applications such as industrial data collection, distributed processing, synchronous communications network, and stand-alone laboratory/educational applications. The MPT/100 compact desktop package has been designed with economy in mind. The microNOVA processor, memory, display, keyboard and dual diskette drives are all contained in an attractive housing suitable for most application environments.
Because the MPT/100 is a true desktop microNOVA computer, application programs can be developed, loaded and executed in a stand-alone environment. A full complement of peripherals can be interconnected using the integral microNOVA I/O bus and a microNOVA expansion chassis.
Desktop computer designed for OEM applications, with features attractive to professional end-users as well.
- Compact, economical and attractive hardware package that includes:
– 16-bit microNOVA® mN602 processor
– 64K bytes of dynamic RAM
– integral dual diskette system with 716K-bytes of storage
– 24 line by 80 character video screen with green phosphor
– 83-position keyboard including 10 user programmable function keys
– standard power-up self-checking hardware diagnostics
- Two programmable synchronous/asynchronous ports for such functions as:
– intelligent workstation configurations
– printer interfacing
– remote program loading
– communications
- microNOVA I/O bus compatible with standard Data General peripherals: “Winchester technology” disc storage (12.5 or 25-megabyte models with or without 1.26-megabyte diskette)
- Asynchronous communications for intelligent cluster capability
- Sensor I/O interfacing for data acquisition and control systems
- MP/OS multitasking operating system with versatile Command Line Interpreter:
– Standalone program development capabilities
– Program development, file transfer, diskette copy and utility programs
– MP/PASCAL, MP/FORTRAN IV, MP/BASIC, and MP Macro assembler languages
– Interactive command line operating system interface
HARDWARE
The MPT/100 uses the Data General microNOVA mn602 16-bit microprocessor with 64K bytes of semiconductor main memory. An additional 4K bytes of mapped memory is ‘dedicated to screen refresh. Two integral diskette drive utilise dual-sided, double-density 5.25″ diskettes for a total of 716K bytes of on-line storage.
The MPT/100 screen is a 24 line by 80 character video display using green phosphor. It features adjustable brightness, blinking, underscore, full reverse video and block filling.
Two synchronous/asynchronous I/O ports, compatible with RS-232-C standards, can be used to drive a system printer, to load programs from a local or remote host processor, or to perform other communication functions at rates of up to 19,200 baud. In addition, the MPT/1OO has a microNOVA I/O bus to suppcrt microNOVA peripherals. Data General’s Winchester-type disc subsystems, data acquisition and sensor devices, and 1.26-megabyte diskette subsystems can be interfaced with the MPT/100. The addition of an expansion chassis and microNOVA communications hardware facilitates the operation of additional MPT and/or DASHER® units for cluster configuration.
SOFTWARE
The MPT/100 fully implements the real-time multitasking microNOVA operating system MP/OS. MP/OS supports application programs written in Data General’s high level languages, including MP/FORTRAN IV, MP/BASIC, and MP/PASCAL as well as assembly language programs. A powerful Command Line Interpreter along with extensive utilities for program development, text editing and file transfer are other significant features of MP/OS. Programs can also be developed on either the MPT/100 directly or on larger Data General systems using the proven software development tools available, and then transferred to the MPT/100 for execution. Software diagnostics are a standard feature of all MPT/100’s.
APPLICATIONS
The MPT/100 can form the basis of a stand-alone system, benefiting users with full program development capability, 16-bit processing, interactive “user-friendly” operation, integral diagnostics and easy upgrade paths. Its hardware peripheral and software language compatibility combines with existing Data General-based applications economically and productively. The MPT/100 offers powerful 16-bit computing for· a variety of scientific, test, measurement and control applications. Among these are:
– Data acquisition
– Instrumentation
– Process control
– Mechanical environmental testing
– Statistical analysis
– Data reduction
– Machine tool-control
– AC circuit analysis
– Engineering design
– Quality control
The MPT/100’s hardware features allow it to be used in a distributed processing environment. It can be used to enter, validate, process and reduce data at individual sites, thus offloading many tasks from the host computer and reducing communication time. Local error-checking can be performed to provide the transmission of “clean'” data. The MPT/100’s cluster capability and compatibility with other Data General computers further enhances communication efficiency.
SPECIFICATIONS
PROCESSOR:
Word Length: 16 bits
General Purpose Accumulators: 4
Stack facility: Stack and frame pointers
Maximum memory: 64K bytes
Add Time: 2.4 microseconds
Memory reference time: 2.9 microseconds
Address modes: Absolute, indexed, deferred relative and auto increment/decrement
Bus system: Separate memory and I/O buses; I/O bus available for external use
Direct memory access channel: 296K bytes per second (input); 344K bytes per second (output); high-speed data channel is used to refresh display and incurs a 10% system overhead
Input/Output systems: 16-level priority interrupt structure; 62 I/O device codes
Package: 40-pin
DISPLAY/KEYBOARD:
Dimensions: 12-in diagonal; 25 lines x 80 characters/line in active area (21 x 13 cm)
Characters: 5 x 8 dot matrix characters within a 7 x 10 character slot.
Character fonts: American, British, Danish/Norwegian, French, German,Spanish and Swedish/Finnish
Transmission rates: 50, 75, 110, 134.5, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2000, 2400, 3600, 4800, 9600, 19200 baud
Data format: ASCII; 5, 6, 7, 8 data bits; even, odd, or no parity; 1, 1.5, 2 stop bits
Display refresh rate: 60 frames/second (domestic) 50 frames/second (foreign)
Display scan: Non-interlaced raster
Cathode ray tube: P31 green phosphor
Self Test: Diagnostic routine checks terminal at power-up
Keyboard: 83 keys including numeric/cursor key pad with indicator and 10 function keys; n-key rollover; repeat function; user definable function keys. International keyboards layouts corresponding to fonts .
5.25-INCH DISKETTE DRIVE
Capacity: per disc 358.4KB; per surface 179.2KB; per track 5.12KB
Transfer rate: 250K bits/sec
Latency: 100 msec
Access Time: track-to-track-20 msec max; settling time-14 msec max; headload time-50 msec max
Rotational speed: 300 rpm + 1.5%
Recording Density: 5457 BPI
Flux Density: 5457 FCI
Track Density: 48 TPI
Cylinders: 35
Tracks: 70
Heads: 2
Index: 1
Encoding Method: MFM
PHYSICAL
Width: 22 in (55.9 cm)
Height: 12 in (30.5 cm)
Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Weight: 30 lbs. (13.6Kg)