Chapter 4

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON SYSTEM PLANNING

A. THE NEED FOR ON-LINE COMPUTER SYSTEMS

The ultimate justification for assembling and using on-line data-acquisition systems must be made in terms of research output. The same considerations underlying judgments on the support of experimental research in other ways must therefore apply to computer systems. Some reasons often given for the use of on-line computer systems are these:

1. Modern experiments produce vast quantities of data which can be handled efficiently only by automatic calculating machinery. The experimenter gains greatly in effectiveness when the data are immediately converted into machine language, reduced by the computer, and presented to the experimenter in a convenient form.

_Comment_: Undoubtedly true. Fortunately a small system can satisfy this requirement in many cases.

2. Some experiments "cannot" be done by other means.

_Comment_: More likely true in practice than in principle.

3. Investment in a computer system is sometimes sound because it leads to a net reduction in the overall cost of performing experiments, either by eliminating some of the labor cost, by reducing the consumption of accelerator time, or in some other way.

_Comment_: True in many cases. Making estimates of projected savings is easier in _ad hoc_ cases than in general.

4. Having facilities immediately accessible for calculating nuclear-reaction kinematics, magnetic analyzer field strengths, and other phenomena during the course of experiments saves time and promotes efficiency.

_Comment_: True, however, much of this work can be done ahead of time, and much of it requires only a relatively short, simple calculation which can be executed on a medium-sized computer, sometimes on a small one.

5. Given a sufficiently large computer system in the laboratory, its use for complicated data reduction and for theoretical calculations may produce an important saving of funds which might otherwise have been spent at the computing center.

_Comment_: This point may sometimes be valid, depending on a number of conditions, but the installation of a large computer as part of the data-acquisition system essentially on the basis of this argument is questionable, in view of the excellent facilities offered by modern computing centers.

6. Some expense for the _development_ of computer systems and computer systems methods is justifiable as an investment in methodology.

_Comment_: True, although there is some question about the choice of places where such work should be done and about the correct source of funds to support it.

B. WHERE SHOULD LARGE-SCALE CALCULATIONS BE DONE?

At the very outset of planning one should examine very closely the question of the large-scale calculating required in the overall execution of the research program of the laboratory; then, if, as usual, it turns out that a substantial amount of complex calculating is anticipated, one should consider carefully the feasibility of planning to do that part of the work at the most readily accessible computer center in the vicinity, so as to be able to concentrate one's own energies and resources, especially capital investment, on the data-acquisition system. The use of a modern computer center offers enormous advantages, and most computing centers would welcome support. If this course of action is chosen, provisions must be planned from the start for computer-language communication between the computer center and the nuclear research laboratory via a medium such as magnetic tape. (Direct wire transmission will often not prove feasible.)

Some key questions are:

1. How much large-scale computing is anticipated?

2. How much waiting time for results is tolerable?

3. Can the local computing center handle the needs, and at what cost?

4. If the local computing center can handle all the needs, but only after acquiring certain additional support for equipment or manpower, might not the better course of action be to provide that support rather than to set up separate facilities?

5. Can setting up a large system truly be justified? Have all the extra costs and complexities of the large system been taken into account, including those associated with input and output devices, operation, maintenance, programming, management, and space?

C. EXERCISING ECONOMIC JUDGMENT IN PLANNING

Since the ultimate criterion is research output, the role assigned to a computer system must depend on the nature of the work being planned. In some cases where a very specific use is intended, for example, in the case of a process-control application such as the Argonne plate scanner or an accelerator controller, the conditions are simple enough to make economic judgment relatively easy to apply. In the case encountered in setting up an accelerator laboratory where a wide variety of experiments is to be performed, conditions are much more complex. It is now widely accepted that any such laboratory should have a computer system, but what is not so clear is how extensive and expensive it should be. In other words, points 1-4 in B are accepted, and point 5 is conceded possibly to be applicable.

If sufficient funds are available, one sensible way to proceed is to use the accumulated collective experience outlined above. For example, one can say that experience has shown that the total investment in the computer system will be in reasonable balance with the capital investment in the bare accelerator if the ratio of costs is about one to five. Departures from the rule may then be made to adjust to special circumstances. Following this procedure means extrapolating from past experience, which may not prove a good guide, but this approach is similar to that often used in other matters bearing on the support of research. Probability is involved. It should be noted that the actual expenditures for on-line equipment for nuclear research have far exceeded those projected at the "Grossinger Conference on the Utilization of Multiparameter Analyzers in Nuclear Physics" in 1962.

In times of economic stringency it may be necessary to take a hard look at points 3-5 in B above before deciding how large a computer can be justified. A medium-sized computer is sufficient for most data-acquisition demands but not for large-scale calculations of a theoretical nature or for an occasional complicated piece of data reduction. Often it will be advisable to plan on carrying out all large calculations at the computing center, in which case a medium-sized computer will probably suffice for data acquisition, and a saving of about half in capital investment and operating expenses can be achieved.

D. ON THE UTILITY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPUTERS

If economic realities and good judgment should dictate the choice of a smaller system, the laboratory will still be well off. There is a tendency not to recognize the full capabilities of modern medium-sized and small computers, which, given intelligent programming, are very powerful. Although programming is in general expensive, the return for a modest amount of it in terms of data-acquisition performance may be very impressive. For example, the use of tables calculated ahead of time, stored on magnetic tape at the computing center, and read into the data-acquisition machine along with its control program offers a way to bypass the need for various sorts of calculations which might have been done on-line on a larger system. Increased efficiency of data acquisition often comes from the use of such methods, reflected in increased data-handling rates.

E. GROWTH CONSIDERATIONS

The system planner should try to anticipate a possible future expansion. In the case of a cut-and-dried process-control application it will often be safe to assume that the system will not have to grow, but recent history shows that in the case of general-purpose systems growth is the rule. In fact, systems have sometimes had to be replaced by entirely new ones. The system planner must beware of pitfalls. If, in anticipation of a greater future need, a much larger CPU is ordered than current use demands, the anticipated need may not develop. Or, if it happens that the money initially available for capital investment is so limited that it is all exhausted in buying the CPU, leaving the system badly short of conventional I/O equipment, then the system will remain painfully unbalanced until substantial additional funds appear. If those funds do not appear, the capability of the system will remain far less than the presence of the large CPU would suggest. (This is what happened at Rochester, where three years after the system was installed there is still no card reader, line printer, or conventional magnetic tape drive system; in fact, there is no computer-language medium for communication with the University of Rochester Computing Center.)

The correct strategy to employ in every case should be consistent with the size of the laboratory and with the capabilities of its staff. A laboratory with a small engineering staff and with modest computing needs for the immediate future should certainly not plan to set up a large system. Instead it could sensibly begin with a manufacturer-assembled, trimmed-down version of the Comparison System (Figure 16), which could be enlarged later as occasion demanded and funds permitted.

F. SHORT SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS REGARDING SYSTEM PLANNING

1. Planning and Procuring a Data-Acquisition System Today

It is no longer necessary to develop one's own system. Times have changed greatly. Many systems now exist which work well and are worth copying. Manufacturers and suppliers are prepared to deliver entire systems assembled and ready to operate, complete with all the necessary system software and varying amounts of utility software. Although it may at first sight seem more economical to assemble a system within the laboratory, by use of laboratory personnel, in most cases it is now better to buy the system from a single supplier, completely installed and operable, saving one's own resources for matters more directly concerned with research. The costs in time and effort to develop a new computer system have been much larger than predicted, in almost every case known to the authors. Large laboratories having strong engineering staffs are an exception; outside of industrial plants they are the places where new system development and assembly makes the most sense.

2. Large-Scale Computations and Computing Centers

In general it is best to plan to do all very large-scale computing jobs (e.g., shell model and scattering theory calculations) at a large computing center and to set up in the laboratory a system which is just large enough to handle comfortably the data-acquisition jobs. Usually a medium-sized or small system will suffice. However, in some circumstances this will not be true.

3. Remote Large Computing Center On-Line for Data Acquisition

Direct transmission-line coupling to a large, remote computing center may prove practical for handling occasional low-priority bursts of data processing, for example, when one can be satisfied with guaranteed access within about 100 µsec, say, and a maximum guaranteed total access duration of no more than a few percent of any day. Such a hookup may also be valuable for the handling of data input and output in the remote batch mode of operation, especially if a card reader (or high-speed paper tape or storage device) and a line printer are available for this use, in the laboratory. However, there are few if any examples of successful high-priority prompt-interrupt operation. One should be extremely skeptical about the feasibility of relying on this last mode of operation.

4. Buying versus Renting

Rental rates have typically been set so that if the anticipated use period exceeds about three years, economic prudence suggests purchasing a computer rather than renting, providing that the necessary funds for capital investment are available. This can only be true, of course, because the life expectancy of modern computers is quite long, certainly over five years. (Also, one hesitates to trade in an old computer for which an excellent software collection exists!) The argument against renting standard peripherals is weaker, because they are electromechanical in nature and therefore have shorter lifetimes; furthermore, they tend to become outmoded. Renting can be especially attractive in special circumstances. For example, a line printer can be rented for the early period of operation of a system, while extensive program development work is in progress, and returned later, when the work has been finished.

5. New Computer or Current Model?

Computers are rapidly getting better and cheaper. This month's machine is much more powerful than last month's, dollar for dollar. New machines will always be appealing, but the prospective purchaser must balance their appeal against considerations of probable delivery date, software availability, completeness of documentation for both software and hardware, and in general the manufacturer's support capability. Unfortunately, these factors usually weigh against a new machine. As a rule, even a medium-sized system based on a new model machine will not be in full operation for approximately one year after delivery, unless both the hardware and the software have been tried and proven in a previous installation. On the other hand, in the case of an older model the same factors may all be favorable, but now the machine probably gives less computing per dollar, and the advantage of an early return on the investment must be weighed carefully against the likelihood of somewhat earlier obsolescence. At some time during the life of a computer the manufacturer will very likely cease to support its software and, usually later, its hardware.

6. Importance of Software

Software is all-important, and it is very expensive to develop, both in time and money; hence a system planner should favor a central processor for which a large amount of software is supplied by the manufacturer, especially system software. In general, when a particular type of machine has already been delivered to many customers the manufacturer may be relied upon to supply the essential software needed to run a system: an assembler, I/O routines for standard devices, and usually a Fortran compiler. The larger machines will be supplied with some sort of operating system (monitor), either for batch or time-shared operation. However, the specialized software needed for data acquisition will usually not be available unless it has already been developed by another user. A laboratory with limited programming resources should therefore give great weight to obtaining a system already provided with all essential software and should direct its own programming efforts to specific data-acquisition problems. Contracting with an outside company for development of the specialized software is also possible, although the cost will probably exceed the salaries of in-house personnel hired to do the same job, and communication with an outside group is inconvenient.

7. Utility of Modern Small Computers

Many small, powerful computers are now on the market. They are inexpensive but very reliable. For many data-taking purposes they are quite sufficient, when equipped with appropriate peripheral devices and an adequate program library.

8. Utility of Disks and Drums

Magnetic disk and drum bulk storage devices have also undergone much development recently. Many good, small versions are now on the market at rather low prices. The capabilities of these units must not be overlooked. Attaching a modern disk unit to a modern, small or medium-sized computer produces a powerful but economical combination.

9. Need for Adequate Peripheral Devices

Unless an appropriate set of standard input-output devices is provided, the computer will not be used efficiently. A balanced system with a small computer is likely to prove much more useful than an unbalanced system with a medium-sized computer. What is necessary will, of course, depend upon the uses of the system. For example, if a large amount of program development is anticipated, the inclusion of a line printer should certainly be considered, because universal experience has shown that line printers are immensely valuable during program development; on the other hand, as a rule they are not so important in most data-taking operations.

10. Peripherals (Brand X)

It is often cheaper initially to use peripheral devices from a separate manufacturer, with interfacing provided either by the user or by an outside commercial firm. In this case difficulties lie in guessing the reliability of the devices and in achieving software compatibility. Software developed by a computer manufacturer usually takes advantage of the peculiarities of his own peripherals. If an outside device is purchased, the additional cost for programming during the lifetime of the system should be considered. If competent engineering effort is available, an interface compatible with the computer manufacturer's software may be built, with a possible saving in programming cost.

11. Input-Output Bus Structures

Standardized input-output bus structures designed to simplify interfacing to computers have recently been developed. Conspicuous among them is the CAMAC system already accepted as standard in many European laboratories. It is now being introduced into a few American laboratories. Before it can be accepted as a standard system here, a number of questions must be answered. For example, what types of external devices should be interfaced in this way, just ADC's data registers, counters, and the like, or should line printers, card readers, and related devices be included? Also, how much trouble will be encountered with manufacturers' I/O software, and how much will any necessary rewriting cost? Also will all computer I/O structures lend themselves to such a system; specifically, are multiport systems suitable? A national committee is now studying the CAMAC system to see if it, or something similar, should be recommended as standard in the United States. Even after being recommended as standard, however, any such system cannot be considered successful unless manufacturers accept it and market a wide variety of compatible devices. From the manufacturer's point of view the risks here may seem considerably greater than they were in the case of the NIM bins. It seems wise to keep watching for the outcome of this interesting development.

12. Necessity for Competence in Machine-Language Programming

Whenever a new type of device is interfaced to a system, some form of machine-language programming must almost always be done in order to permit the handling of input-output operations involving the new device. This is true even in places such as Yale, where the design emphasizes a maximum use of Fortran. For this and other reasons, there should be at least one person on call who is skilled in machine-language programming and who understands the system.

13. Manpower for Programming and Maintenance

The manpower required to maintain the hardware and software of any system naturally depends on the size of the installation and the uses to which it is put. Typically, a continuing effort must be expended on the improvement of system software and the writing of new data-acquisition programs. The existing hardware must be given preventive maintenance and repairs. Furthermore from time to time a hardware change must be made. Also, there are administrative matters; even the smallest system should have within the laboratory at least one person who will devote a large part of his time to administration, to the education of users, and to related matters. In many cases the laboratory has a contract with an outside firm, often the computer manufacturer, for maintenance of the computer, and sometimes the rest of the system as well. In other cases all or part of this work is done by laboratory personnel. Sometimes several laboratory people are competent both in machine-language programming and in diagnosing and repairing hardware ills. Such people are very valuable, especially if they are also competent to do interfacing of new devices. In some cases the experimenters do much of their own data-acquisition programming, in others essentially all programming is done by professionals. In some university laboratories much use is made of part-time student programmers, of whom there is now a considerable supply because of the growth of education in programming, both in high schools and at colleges. Students are sometimes remarkably good at this work and stand to profit later from the experience, but they are transients, and effort expended in training them is lost when they leave. Very roughly speaking, a small system will require a good fraction of the time of a technician-programmer, a medium system will require at least one full-time technician-programmer, and a full-time programmer, or some equivalent combination, assuming an active research program.

Appendix A

TABLES OF PROPERTIES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPUTERS

The comprehensive tables of properties of small and medium-sized computers appearing on the next 6 pages are from D. J. Theis and L. C. Hobbs, "Mini-Computers for Real-Time Applications," _Datamation_, Vol. 15, No. 3, p. 39 (March 1969) and are reprinted here by permission of the publisher, F. D. Thompson Publications, Inc., 35 Mason Street, Greenwich, Conn. 06830.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digital Digital Data Mate Decade Electronic Equipment Equipment Computer Control Data Data Computer Computer Assoc. Corp. Corp. Automation Corporation General Systems, Inc. Corp. Inc. EMR Hewlett-Packard Hewlett-Packard Hewlett-Packard Honeywell MANUFACTURER/MODEL NUMBER PDP-9 PDP-9/L PDC-816 1700 Nova Data Mate-16 70/2 640 6130 2114A 2115A 2116B DDP-416 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEMORY Memory cycle time (µs) 1.0 1.5 8 1.1 2.6 1.0 .860 1.65 0.775 2.0 2.0 1.6 0.96 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory word length (bits) 18 18 16 18 16 16 18 16 18 16 16 16 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum memory size (words) 8K 4K 4K 4K 1K 4K 4K 4K 8K 4K 4K 8K 4K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory increment size (words) 8K 4K 4K 4K 1K, 2K, 4K 4K 4K 4K 8K 4K 4K 8K 4K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum memory size (words) 32K 16K 16K 32K 32K 32K 16K 32K 32K 8K 8K 32K 16K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parity check (std., opt., no) opt. opt. no std. no opt. std. no std. opt. opt. opt. opt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory protect (std., opt., no) opt. opt. no std. no std. std. std. std. no opt. opt. opt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CPU FEATURES Instruction word length (s) 18 18 16 16/32 16 16 16/32 16/32 16/32 16 16 16 16/32 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of accumulators (or 1 std. 1 std. 1 2 4 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 general purpose registers that 1 opt. 1 opt. can be used as accumulators) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of hardware registers 1 std. 1 std. 6 8 10 6 5 9 4 7 7 7 4 (not including index registers) 1 opt. 1 opt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of index registers 7 (auto. 7 (auto. 1 hardware 1 hardware 2 hardware 1 hardware 1 memory 1 hardware 3 hardware none none none none (indicate whether they are index mem. index mem. 1 memory 16 memory hardware, memory or other reg.) reg.) techniques) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for operation code 4 4 5 4 5 5 6 4 5 4 4 4 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for address modes 1 1 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of addressing modes 2 2 8 7 8 8 5 3-8 7 4 4 4 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for address 13 13 8 8/15 8 8 7/14 9/15 8/15 10 10 10 9/14 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this machine one can directly address _________ words in 8,192 4,096 768 256 1,024 256 16,384 512 32,768 2,048 2.048 2,048 1,024 _________ µs and indirectly 2.0 3.0 16.0 1.1 5.2 2.0 1.9 1.65 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.6 0.96 address _________ words in 32K 16K 16K 32K 32K 32K 16K 32K 32K 8K 8K 32K 16K _________ µs 3.0 4.5 24.0 3.3 7.8 3.0 1.9 3.3 2.9 4.0 4.0 3.2 1.92 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indirect addressing Single- Single- Multi- Multi- Multi- Multi- Single- Multi- Multi- Multi- Multi- Multi- Multi- (multi-level, single-level, no) level level level level level level level level level level level level level ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS Store time for full word (µs) 2.0 3.0 16.0 2.2 5.5 2.0 1.9 3.3 1.9 4.0 4.0 3.2 1.92 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Add time for full word (µs) 2.0 3.0 16.0 2.2 5.9 2.0 1.9 3.3 1.9 4.0 4.0 3.2 1.92 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed-point hardware mult/divide opt. opt. no std. no std. opt. std. std. no opt. opt. no (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multiply time hardware (µs) 3.0 to 11.0 4.5 to 16.5 -- 7 -- 6.0 6.5 18.15 4.5 to 8.3 24.0 19.2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Divide time hardware (µs) 3.0 to 12.0 4.5 to 18.0 -- 9 -- 7.0 12.5 18.975 7.9 to 11.4 26.0 20.8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multiply time software (µs) 281 max. 421 max. 102 -- 329.3 to 334.1 N/A 187 187 150 154.6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Divide time software (µs) 352 max. 528 max. 178 -- 424.8 to 519.2 N/A 387 387 310 220.8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I/O CAPABILITY Data path width (bits) 18 18 8/16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Direct memory access (DMA) std. no std. opt. std. opt. opt. opt. std. no opt. opt. opt. channel (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum DMA word transfer rate 1 MHZ -- 125 KHZ 900 KHZ 312 KHZ 1 MHZ 1.1 MHZ 600 KHZ 1.26 MHZ -- 500 KHZ 625 KHZ 1 MHZ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of external priority 1 1 3 16 16 8 1 7 none 8 8 16 2 interrupt levels provided in basic system ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum number of external 256 256 256 16 62 64 32 64 126 56 40 48 48 interrupts ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Response time (µs) including 4.0 6.0 48.0 50.0 38.6 5.0 8.0 5.8 13.2 10.0 10.0 8.0 4.8 time to save registers of interrupted program and initiate new program execution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER FEATURES Power failure protect opt. opt. opt. std. std. std. opt. std. std. opt. opt. std. std. (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Automatic restart after power opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. no opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. failure (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real-time clock or internal timer std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOFTWARE Assembler (1 pass, 2 pass, both) 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 1 pass 2 pass both 2 pass 2 2 pass 2 pass both ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Relocatable assembler (yes, no) yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum core size necessary to use 8K 4K 4K 4K -- 4K 4K 8K 8K 4K 4K 4K -- this relocatable assembler ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Macro assembler capability yes yes no yes no yes no no yes no no no no ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compilers available (specify Fortran Fortran none ASA Basic none none Fortran Fortran ASA Basic Algol, ASA Algol, ASA Algol, ASA none explicitly, e.g., Fortran II, IV IV Fortran IV IV Fortran Basic Fortran Basic Fortran Basic Fortran IV, ASA Basic Fortran, etc.) Fortran IV ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conversational compilers (e.g., FOCAL none none none none none CHAT DOI none BASIC BASIC BASIC none FOCAL, BASIC, CAL, etc.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real-time executive monitor yes yes no yes no no no no yes no no yes no available (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disc operating system available yes yes no yes no no no yes yes no yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BASIC MAINFRAME COSTS Basic system price with 4K words N/A $19,000 $11,900 $29,000 $ 7,600 $13,900 $12,800 $26,500 N/A $ 9,950 $14,500 N/A $15,700 including power supplies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not -- $ 900 $ 1,900 $ 6,000 $ 1,400 $ 2,000 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 -- $ 2,000 $ 2,000 -- $ 1,200 already included in Basic System (ASR-35) Price) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total system price, including -- $19,900 $13,800 $35,000 $ 9,000 $15,900 $14,000 $27,700 -- $11,950 $16,500 -- $16,900 ASR-33 Teletype and CPU (ASR-35) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic system price with 8K words $35,000 $25,000 $17,900 $37,000 $10,885 $20,400 $18,600 $35,500 $46,000 $13,950 $19,500 $24,000 $23,700 including adequate power supplies, enclosure, control panel ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not Included $ 900 $ 1,900 $ 6,000 $ 1,400 $ 2,000 $ 1,200 $ 1,200 $ 3,100 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 1,200 already included in Basic System (ASR-35) Price) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total system price including $35,000 $25,900 $19,800 $43,000 $12,285 $22,400 $19,800 $36,700 $49,100 $15,950 $21,500 $26,000 $24,900 ASR-33 Teletype and CPU (ASR-35) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERIPHERALS AVAILABLE Magnetic tape available (yes, no) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approximate price for $22,000 $22,000 $ 5,700 $22,500 $12,000 $19,500 $12,000 $30,000 $35,200 $12,500 $15,500 $15,500 $23,355 operational unit (including to to to to to to to to to controller, computer options $23,000 $23,000 $10,000 $32,000 $67,200 $15,000 $21,500 $21,500 $35,430 necessary, etc.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mass storage device available yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approximate price of operational $ 9,750 $ 9,750 $ 6,500 $27,500 $ 6,500 $18,000 $15,000 $24,500 $20,200 -- $26,500 $26,500 $22,300 unit (including controller, to to to to to to to computer options necessary, etc.) $ 9,950 $ 9,250 $45,000 $54,700 $31,500 $31,500 $36,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High speed paper tape reader yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speed (char/sec) 300 300 300 350 300/150 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Included Combination $ 2,200 $ 4,500 $2,650/$2,150 $ 2,000 $ 2,500 Combination Combination $ 2,100 $ 2,100 $ 2,100 $ 3,800 Approximate price of operational unit $ 4,800 $ 8,400 $10,100 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High speed paper tape punch yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speed (char/sec) 50 50 60 120 63.3 120 120 120 60 120 120 120 110 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Included Combination $ 3,300 $ 5,100 $ 2,200 $ 4,000 $ 4,000 Combination Combination $ 4,100 $ 4,100 $ 4,100 $ 4,500 Approximate price of operational unit $ 4,800 $ 8,400 $10,100 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: N/A = Not Announced--or Not Available

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information Scientific Scientific Systems Systems Technology, Inc. Lockheed Control Data Engineering Engineering Honeywell ITI-4900 Interdata Interdata IBM IBM Electronics Raytheon Raytheon Corp. Systems Laboratories Laboratories MANUFACTURER/MODEL NUMBER DDP-516 (Model 20) Model 3 Model 4 1130 1800 MAC-16 703 706 4700 Sigma 2 810A 810B ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEMORY Memory cycle time (µs) 0.96 0.975/1.75 .980/1.5 .980/1.5 2.2/3.6 2/4 1 1.75 0.9 .920 .9 1.75 .750 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory word length (bits) 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum memory size (words) 4K 4K 2K 2K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 8K 4K 8K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory increment size (words) 4K 4K 2K, 4K 2K, 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 8K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum memory size (words) 32K 32K 32K 32K 32K 32K 65K 32K 32K 65K 65K 32K 32K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parity check (std., opt., no) opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. opt. no opt. opt. std. opt. std. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory protect (std., opt., no) opt. opt. opt. opt. no std. opt. no opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CPU FEATURES Instruction word length(s) 16/32 16/32 16/32 16/32 16/32 16/32 16 16 16 16/32 16 16 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of accumulators (or 2 8 16 16 2 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 general purpose registers that can be used as accumulators) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of hardware registers 5 16 18 33 7 7 6 6 6 10 6 2 2 (not including index registers) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of index registers 1 6 15 15 3 3 4 1 1 1 2 1 2 (indicate whether they are hardware hardware memory hardware memory hardware hardware hardware hardware hardware hardware hardware, memory or other techniques) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for operation code 5 8 8 8 5 5 4 4 4 4/9 4 4 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for address modes 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 1 1 3 4 2 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of addressing modes 4 4 3 3 3 3 8 2 2 5 16 4 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for address 9/14 6/16 6/16 6/16 9/16 9/16 9 11 11 9/16 8 10 10 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this machine one can directly address _________ words in 1,024 32,768 32,768 32,768 32,768 32,768 512 32,768 32,768 32,768 1,024 1,024 1,024 _________ µs and indirectly 0.96 .975/1.75 0.98/1.5 0.98/1.5 2.2 2.0 2.0 3.5 1.8 .92 .9 1.75 .750 address ________ words in 32K 32K -- -- 32K 32K 65K -- -- 65K 65K 32K 32K _________ µs 1.92 1.95/3.5 -- -- 2.2 2.0 3.0 -- -- 1.84 1.8 3.5 1.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indirect addressing Multi- Multi-level no no Single- Single- Multi-level no no Single- Single- Multi-level Multi-level (multi-level, single-level, no) level level level level level ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS Store time for full word (µs) 1.92 1.95/3.5 6.0 6.0 4.64 4.25 2.0 3.5 1.8 1.84 2.2 3.5 1.50 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Add time for full word (µs) 1.92 1.95/3.5 3.2 3.2 4.88 4.25 2.0 3.5 1.8 1.84 2.2 3.5 1.50 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed-point hardware mult/divide opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multiply time--hardware (µs) 5.28 10 23 23 15.67 15.25 9 12.25-17.5 6.3 to 9.0 6.44 10.3 7 4.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Divide time--hardware (µs) 10.00 25 38 38 46.36 42.75 12 24.0 9.0 6.90 10.8 10.5 8.25 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multiply time--software (µs) 154.6 50 900 900 -- -- 150 147 75 -- 103 -- -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Divide time--software (µs) 220.8 100 1,020 1,020 -- -- 300 299.25 154 -- 297 -- -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I/O CAPABILITY Data path width (bits) 16 16 8 8 16 16 16 16 16 8/16 8 16 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Direct memory access (DMA) opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. opt. channel (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum DMA word transfer rate 1 MHZ 1 MHZ 450 KHZ 450 KHZ 460 KHZ 500 KHZ 800 KHZ 571 KHZ 1.1 MHZ 1.1 MHZ 200 KHZ 572 KHZ 1.33 MHZ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of external priority 2 8 2 2 6 12 4 1 1 2 2 3 3 interrupt levels provided in basic system ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum number of external 48 256 255 255 96 384 64 16 16 256 132 96 96 interrupts ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Response time (µs) including 9.6 5.0 9.0-16.0 9.0-16.0 100.0 100.0 6.0 5.25 2.7 7.36 6.0 10.5 6.75 time to save registers of interrupted program and initiate new program execution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER FEATURES Power failure protect std. opt. opt. opt. no opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. std. std. (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Automatic restart after power opt. opt. opt. opt. no opt. opt. std. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. failure (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real time clock or internal timer opt. opt. opt. opt. no std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOFTWARE Assembler (1 pass, 2 pass, both) both 1 pass both both 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass both both 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass 2 pass ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Relocatable assembler (yes, no) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum core size necessary to use N/A 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 8K 8K 4K 8K 8K 8K this relocatable assembler ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Macro assembler capability no yes no no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compilers available (specify Fortran IV Fortran IV none none ASA Basic ASA Basic ASA Fortran IV Fortran IV ASA Basic Fortran IV Fortran IV Fortran IV explicitly e.g., Fortran II, IV, Extended Extended Standard Fortran ASA Basic Fortran ASA Basic ASA Basic Fortran, etc.) Fortran Fortran Fortran IV ASA Basic Fortran Fortran IV Fortran ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conversational compilers (e.g., Fortran IV none Fortran Fortran APL none none none none none none none none FOCAL, BASIC, CAL, etc.) BASIC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real-time executive monitor yes yes no no no yes no yes yes yes yes no yes available (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disc operating system available yes no no no yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BASIC MAINFRAME COSTS Basic system price with 4K words $23,800 $ 9,950 $10,800 $13,800 $25,880 $47,300 $11,950 $15,000 $19,000 $14,800 N/A $18,000 N/A including power supplies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not $ 1,200 $ 2,500 $ 1,900 $ 1,900 Included $ 2,930 Included Included Included $ 1,700 -- Included -- already included in Basic System Price) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total system price, including $25,000 $12,450 $12,700 $15,700 $25,880 $50,230 $11,950 $15,000 $19,000 $16,500 -- $18,000 -- ASR-33 Teletype and CPU ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic system price with 8K words $31,800 $15,950 $17,700 $20,700 $34,030 $55,700 $15,900 $23,000 $24,600 $22,300 $34,000 $23,000 $30,000 including adequate power supplies, enclosure, control panel ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not $ 1,200 $ 2,500 $ 1,900 $ 1,900 Included $ 2,930 Included Included Included $ 1,700 $ 7,000 Included Included already included in Basic System (ASR-35) Price) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total system price including $33,000 $18,450 $19,600 $22,600 $34,030 $58,630 $15,900 $23,000 $24,600 $24,000 $41,000 $23,000 $30,000 ASR-33 Teletype and CPU (ASR-35) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERIPHERALS AVAILABLE Magnetic tape available (yes, no) yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approximate price for $23,355 $18,000 $ 9,900 $ 9,900 -- $15,620 N/A $10,500 $10,500 $24,000 $25,000 $24,000 $24,000 operational unit (including to to to controller, computer options $35,430 $28,000 $28,000 necessary, etc.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mass storage device available yes N/A yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approximate price of operational $22,300 -- $17,400 $17,400 Included $13,500 -- $21,500 $21,500 $19,500 $26,000 $30,000 $30,000 unit (including controller, to computer options necessary, etc.) $36,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High speed paper tape reader yes yes yes yes yes no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speed (char/sec) 300 300 300 300 60 -- 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 3,800 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 2,500 $ 1,720 -- N/A $ 3,300 $ 3,000 $ 3,000 Combination $ 4,000 $ 4,000 Approximate price of operational unit $12,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High speed paper tape punch yes yes yes yes no no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speed (char/sec) 110 50 60 60 -- -- 60 110 110 120 120 100 100 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 4,500 $ 3,000 $ 3,800 $ 3,800 -- -- N/A $ 4,200 $ 4,000 $ 4,000 Combination $ 4,000 $ 4,000 Approximate price of operational unit $12,000 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: N/A = Not Announced--or Not Available

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tempo Digital Digital Digital Spear Business Computers, Equipment Equipment Equipment General Computers, Information Computer Data General Inc. Varian Corp. Corp. Corp. Automation Motorola Inc. Technology Automation Technology Automation Varian MANUFACTURER/MODEL NUMBER Tempo 1 620 i LINC-8 PDP 8/1 PDP 8/L SPC-12 MDP-1000 Micro Linc 480/482 PDC-808 DT-1600 SPC-8 520 i ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MEMORY Memory cycle time (µs) 0.9 1.8 1.5 1.5 1.6 2.0 2.16 1 3.0 8.0 8.0 2.0 1.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory word length (bits) 16 16/18 12 12 12 8 8 12 8 8 8 8 8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum memory size (words) 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 1K 4K 4K 4K 4K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory increment size (words) 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K 1K, 2K, 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum memory size (words) 65K 32K 32K 32K 8K 16K 16K 32K 65K 16K 16K 8K 32K ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parity check (std., opt., no) opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. no opt. opt. no no opt. opt. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memory protect (std., opt., no) opt. opt. no std. std. no no no no no opt. no std. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CPU FEATURES Instruction word length(s) 16/32 16/32 12 12/24 12/24 8,12,16 12 12 8/16 8/16 8/16 8,12,16 8/16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of accumulators (or 2 2 2 1 1 4 6 1 1 1 1 2 7 general purpose registers that can be used as accumulators) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of hardware registers 7 6 10 4 4 8 9 12 8 8 8 6 7 (not including index registers) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of index registers 1 hardware 2 hardware 8 memory 8 memory 8 memory 3 hardware 3 hardware 16 memory none none none 1 hardware 1 hardware (indicate whether they are hardware, memory or other techniques) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for operation code 4 4 2,3,7 3 3 8 8 7 8 6 4 8,12 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for address modes 3 3 3 1 1 3 3 5 none 2 2 3 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of addressing modes 8 4 6 2 2 5 6 4 1 4 2 4 5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many bits for address 9/16 9/11 12, 10, 8, 4 8/15 8/13 12 12 12 8/16 8 8 12 15 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this machine one can directly address _________ words in 512 2,048 1,024 256 256 4,096 4,096 1,024 256 512 512 4,096 4,096 _________ µs and indirectly 0.9 3.6 3.0 1.9 1.6 4.2 4.32 2.0 3.0 24.0 16.0 4.2 2.5 address _________ words in 65K 32K 4K 32K 8K 4K 4K 1K 65K 16K 16K 4K 32K _________ µs 1.8 5.4 4.5 3.0 3.2 6.3 10.8 3.0 23.25 40.0 32.0 6.3 5.25 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Indirect addressing Multi-level Multi-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Single-level Multi-level Multi-level Single-level Multi-level (multi-level, single-level, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS Store time for full word (µs) 1.8 3.6 3.0 3.0 3.2 4.2 4.32 2.0 14.25 24.0 24.0 4.2 4.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Add time for full word (µs) 1.8 3.6 3.0 3.0 3.2 4.2 4.32 2.0 14.25 24.0 24.0 4.2 4.5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed-point hardware mult/divide opt. opt. mult.-std. opt. no no no mult.-std. opt. no no no no (std., opt., no) div.-opt. div.-no ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multiply time--hardware (µs) 7 10 34 N/A -- -- -- 14 N/A -- -- -- -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Divide time--hardware (µs) 9 10-14 37 N/A -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Multiply time--software (µs) -- 200 -- 360 360 N/A N/A 300 N/A 1,100 1,200 400 N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Divide time--software (µs) -- 200 460 460 460 N/A N/A 1700 N/A 1,880 1,500 500 N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I/O CAPABILITY Data path width (bits) 8/16 16/18 12 12 12 8/12 12 12 8 8 8 8/12 8/16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Direct memory access (DMA) opt. opt. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. no no opt. opt. channel (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum DMA word transfer rate 800 KHZ 200 KHZ 666 KHZ 666 KHZ 625 KHZ 430 KHZ 430 KHZ 1 MHZ 250 KHZ -- -- 430 KHZ 660 KHZ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of external priority 4 none 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 3 2 3 interrupt levels provided in basic system ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum number of external 256 64 1 64 64 256 64 1 1 64 32 256 11 interrupts ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Response time (µs) including 3.6 14.0 14.0 18.6 20.0 N/A 8.0 50.0 88.0 32.0 20.0 1.5 time to save registers of interrupted program and initiate new program execution ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER FEATURES Power failure protect std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Automatic restart after power opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. no opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. failure (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real-time clock or internal timer opt. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. std. opt. opt. opt. opt. std. opt. (std., opt., no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOFTWARE Assembler (1 pass, 2 pass, both) both 22 pass both both both 1 pass 2 pass 2 pass 3 pass 2 pass 2 pass 1 pass 2 pass ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Relocatable assembler (yes, no) yes no yes yes yes yes yes no no no yes yes yes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum core size necessary to use 4K -- 8K 8K 8K 4K 4K -- -- -- 4K 4K 4K this relocatable assembler ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Macro assembler capability yes no yes yes yes no yes no no no no no no ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compilers available (specify ASA Fortran II Fortran II Fortran II Fortran II none none none ASA none none none none explicitly, e.g., Fortran II, Basic Algol Algol Algol Basic IV, ASA Basic Fortran, etc.) Fortran Fortran ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conversational compilers (e.g., none none BASIC FOCAL FOCAL no no no no no no no no FOCAL, BASIC, CAL, etc.) FOCAL BASIC BASIC LAP-6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Real-time executive monitor no no no no no yes yes yes yes no no yes no available (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disc operating system available no no yes yes yes no no no no no yes no no (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BASIC MAINFRAME COSTS Basic system price with 4K words $15,000 $12,100 $38,500 $12,800 $ 8,500 $ 6,400 $ 8,500 $46,500[A] $ 9,310 $ 6,600 $ 6,600 $ 6,400 $ 7,500 including power supplies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not Included $ 1,800 Included Included Included $ 1,100 $ 1,200 Included Included $ 1,500 $ 1,900 $ 1,100 $ 1,400 already included in Basic System Price) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total system price, including $15,000 $13,900 $38,500 $12,800 $ 8,500 $ 7,500 $ 9,700 $46,500[A] $ 9,310 $ 8,100 $ 8,500 $ 7,500 $ 8,900 ASR-33 Teletype and CPU ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic system price with 8K words $19,000 $18,500 $47,500 $16,300 $13,200 $ 9,600 $11,500 $56,500[A] $11,250 $ 8,800 $ 8,800 $ 9,600 $10,000 including adequate power supplies, enclosure, control panel ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Price of ASR-33 Teletype (if not Included $ 1,800 Included Included Included $ 1,100 $ 1,200 Included Included $ 1,500 $ 1,900 $ 1,100 $ 1,400 already included in Basic System Price) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total system price including $19,000 $20,300 $47,500 $16,300 $13,200 $10,700 $12,700 $56,500[E] $11,250 $10,300 $10,700 $10,700 $11,400 ASR-33 Teletype and CPU ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PERIPHERALS AVAILABLE Magnetic tape available (yes, no) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approximate price for $12,000 N/A $24,700 $24,700 $24,700 $11,000 N/A N/A $18,700 $ 5,700 $ 9,950 $ 9,800 $ 9,000 operational unit (including to to controller, computer options $22,500 $10,000 necessary, etc.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mass storage device available yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approximate price of operational N/A N/A $ 6,000 $ 8,700 $ 8,700 $ 6,000 N/A N/A $ 7,390 $ 9,950 $10,000 $ 6,000 N/A unit (including controller, to to to to to computer options necessary, etc.) $15,700 $15,700 $15,000 $16,500 $15,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High speed paper tape reader yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speed (char/sec) 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approximate price of operational unit N/A N/A $ 2,500 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 3,000 N/A N/A $ 2,300 $ 2,200 $ 3,300 $ 3,000 $ 2,900 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High speed paper tape punch yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes (yes, no) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speed (char/sec) 60/120 60/120 50 50 50 120 120 120 60 60 60 60/120 60 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- N/A N/A $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 2,000 $ 4,000 N/A N/A $ 3,000 $ 3,300 $ 2,900 $ 3,600- $ 3,300 Approximate price of operational unit $ 4,000 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: N/A = Not Announced--or Not Available

[E] Price includes 2 mag tapes and crt with keyboard

Appendix B

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR CHAPTER 3, A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURES

At the November 1962 "Grossinger Conference on the Utilization of Multiparameter Analyzers in Nuclear Physics" a paper by W. F. Miller and H. W. Fulbright was presented in which data-analysis systems then in use in AEC-sponsored laboratories in the fields of high-and low-energy nuclear physics were reviewed. By that time many applications of computers had already been made in the high-energy field, while there were only a few examples of computer systems to be found in low-energy laboratories, and those were rather simple.