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UniBone - access DEC PDP-11 UNIBUS under Linux

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Jörg Hoppe

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Nov 12, 2018, 8:30:31 AM11/12/18
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Guys,

I'm about to finish another project:
"UniBone" - a Linux-to-UNIBUS bridge, based on the BeagleBone Black.

It is supposed to be a development platform for device emulation.
At the moment it can emulate memory, emulate an RL11 controller with 4
RL drives attached, and act as UNIBUS hardware test adapter.

There are some web pages at http://retrocmp.com/projects/unibone
And I'll show it on VCFE.CH in Zurich on Nov 24/25, plugged into a
PDP-11/05.

Enjoy,

Joerg

Richard

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Nov 12, 2018, 6:36:16 PM11/12/18
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[Please do not mail me a copy of your followup]

=?UTF-8?Q?J=c3=b6rg_Hoppe?= <j_h...@t-online.de> spake the secret code
<psbv9m$ca3$1...@news.albasani.net> thusly:

>I'm about to finish another project:
>"UniBone" - a Linux-to-UNIBUS bridge, based on the BeagleBone Black.

Nice! Where are you finding 8641 driver ICs?
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Bob Eager

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Nov 12, 2018, 7:23:15 PM11/12/18
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On Mon, 12 Nov 2018 23:36:16 +0000, Richard wrote:

> [Please do not mail me a copy of your followup]
>
> =?UTF-8?Q?J=c3=b6rg_Hoppe?= <j_h...@t-online.de> spake the secret code
> <psbv9m$ca3$1...@news.albasani.net> thusly:
>
>>I'm about to finish another project:
>>"UniBone" - a Linux-to-UNIBUS bridge, based on the BeagleBone Black.
>
> Nice! Where are you finding 8641 driver ICs?

Mouser seem to have them.

--
Using UNIX since v6 (1975)...

Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

Don North

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Nov 12, 2018, 8:42:08 PM11/12/18
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On 2018-11-12 16:23, Bob Eager wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Nov 2018 23:36:16 +0000, Richard wrote:
>
>> [Please do not mail me a copy of your followup]
>>
>> =?UTF-8?Q?J=c3=b6rg_Hoppe?= <j_h...@t-online.de> spake the secret code
>> <psbv9m$ca3$1...@news.albasani.net> thusly:
>>
>>> I'm about to finish another project:
>>> "UniBone" - a Linux-to-UNIBUS bridge, based on the BeagleBone Black.
>>
>> Nice! Where are you finding 8641 driver ICs?
>
> Mouser seem to have them.
>

Not really. They have a reference to the National (now TI) datasheet only.
There is no Mouser part number or any availability to order parts from them.

I've bought tubes of NOS parts on eBay, with date codes in the late 80s.
These were from US vendors that I deemed to be reasonably reputable.

From google, I find: https://www.y-ic.fr/pdf/DS8641N.html
has something like 5000+ parts listed as available. But being from
a Hong Kong / Chinese source there is no way to know if these are really
valid NOS National parts, or just remarked / fake devices. Caveat emptor.

Personally I find it hard to believe that some Chinese supply house has
been sitting on 5000+ devices for the last thirty years or so.

Don

Jörg Hoppe

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Nov 13, 2018, 12:51:57 AM11/13/18
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Don, Bob,

Yes, DS8641 are a problem. They are there, but its work.
I bought 150 from a polish eBay source, for 70 cent a piece, but they
are used up now.

> From google, I find: https://www.y-ic.fr/pdf/DS8641N.html
> has something like 5000+ parts listed as available. But being from
> a Hong Kong / Chinese source there is no way to know if these are really
> valid NOS National parts, or just remarked / fake devices. Caveat emptor.
>
> Personally I find it hard to believe that some Chinese supply house has
> been sitting on 5000+ devices for the last thirty years or so.
I'd bet they are fake. I think they are looking for eBay parts > $2 or
so and then offer fakes. Had that 2x. No chinese parts any more.

best regards
Joerg

Marco

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Nov 13, 2018, 3:02:44 AM11/13/18
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Le 13/11/2018 à 00:36, Richard a écrit :
> [Please do not mail me a copy of your followup]
>
> =?UTF-8?Q?J=c3=b6rg_Hoppe?= <j_h...@t-online.de> spake the secret code
> <psbv9m$ca3$1...@news.albasani.net> thusly:
>
>> I'm about to finish another project:
>> "UniBone" - a Linux-to-UNIBUS bridge, based on the BeagleBone Black.
>
> Nice! Where are you finding 8641 driver ICs?
>

In Europe, it's easy to find TESLA MH8641 for € 0.25 (21% VAT included)
I bought some but not yet tested.

With Chinese IC, you have the choice -:)

Used "refurbished"
or
Blacktopped https://www.aeri.com/counterfeit-electronic-component-detection/

@Joerg: nice project!

Marc
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