1976/01/01 by Gordon Bell, William D. Strecker · 3 citations
Computer Science · Engineering · #Architecture #Computer architecture #Computer science #De facto #Distributed and Parallel Computing Systems #Engineering #Interconnection #Minicomputer #Operating system #Parallel Computing and Optimization Techniques #Range (aeronautics) #Software engineering #Telecommunications
paper · doi:10.1145/800110.803541
openalex publication_date 1976/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Over the PDP-11'S six year life about 20,000 specimens have been built based on 10 species (models). Although range was a design goal, it was unquantified; the actual range has exceeded expectations (500:1 in memory size and system price). The range has stressed the basic mini(mal) computer architecture along all dimensions. The main PMS structure, i.e. the UNIBUS, has been adopted as a de facto standard of interconnection for many micro and minicomputer systems. The architectural experience gained in the design and use of the PDP-11 will be described in terms of its environment (initial goals and constraints, technology, and the organization that designs, builds and distributes the machine).