About the PDP-11 minicomputers
The PDP-11 is a series of 16-bit minicomputers originally sold by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) from 1970 into the late 1990s, one of a set of products in the Programmed Data Processor (PDP) series. In total, around 600,000 PDP-11s of all models were sold, making it one of DEC's most successful product lines. The PDP-11 is considered by some experts to be the most popular minicomputer.
The PDP-11 series of microcomputers, developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of computer technology. It introduced innovative design principles and architectures that influenced the development of subsequent computer systems. The series not only revolutionized the way computers were built and used but also set new standards in performance, usability, and flexibility. Its widespread adoption across various industries underscored its versatility and reliability, compelling other computer manufacturers to re-evaluate and innovate their own designs. Consequently, the legacy of the PDP-11 can be seen in the technological advancements and design philosophies that became foundational in modern computing.
Description of the AZ® controller
The AZ® series controllers were developed to work with PDP-11 computers using the QBUS or its analogs. The controllers were designed by engineers Max Bagaev (Russia) and Alexander Zabayratsky (Kazakhstan) in 2019. Since then, the controller has continued to evolve and improve. Unfortunately, due to health issues, Alexander has been unable to continue developing the controller since 2022, and the development is now solely carried out by Max. In total, more than 500 controllers of various modifications have been produced since 2019. This is the most widely produced PDP-11 hardware in modern times.
These controllers were produced for various Soviet clones of PDP-11 machines, such as DVK-1, DVK-2, DVK-3, DVK-4, Kvant-4S, Elektronika-60, Elektronika 60M, Slavutich PK-1, and UKNC.
A special version with extended functionality, the AZBK®, was developed for the BK-0010/BK-0010.01/BK-0011M series.
The main functionality of the AZ® series controllers is a block device with random access. Its standout feature is a higher level of abstraction, where the disk image is a file on the controller's storage filesystem. This makes disk image manipulation easy. Another distinctive feature is the ability to connect to the Internet via Ethernet. This greatly expands the controller's capabilities, including remote disk image manipulation via a built-in WebDAV server. Additionally, the controller allows working with files within disk images, thanks to its ability to open RT11 disk images as directories, enabling read, write, delete, and rename operations remotely.
The controller also includes RTC functionality and the ability to synchronize system clocks with an NTP server. Recently, the network functionality was expanded to allow the controller to use network drives provided by MAXIOL Landisk technology®. This feature enables access to the entire repository of files and disk images available at https://mirrors.pdp-11.ru/.
Features of the AZ® controller
- 16-bit data handling for efficient computation
- Modular design for ease of maintenance
- Robust compatibility with peripheral devices
- Compact and efficient architecture
- Occupies MPI addresses 177220-177226 (word-only access, byte access is prohibited). 177220 is the Command and Status Register (CSR), 177222 is the Data Register, and 177224 and 177226 are single-word PROM bootloader registers.
- To start, enter 177226G or 177224G. The bootloaders are tailored for slight processor differences and ensure functionality even with the simplest processors.
- Emulates up to 32 devices on a single MicroSD card, with a maximum image size of 2GB on the card and 16GB on network devices.
- Supports MicroSD and MicroSDHC cards; SDXC cards are not supported.
- Compatible operating systems include RT11*, RSX11M, and various systems created for the BK-series computers.
- Support for 16, 18, 22-bit address buses
- Contains a block of non-volatile memory accessible via API
- Open API for writing your own software and drivers. Open source device drivers for RT11
- Supports Ethernet 10Mbit wired network connections.
- Contains RTC, supports receiving time from NTP servers
- Includes a built-in WebDAV server.
- Supports connecting to network drives via MAXIOL Landisk technology®.
AZ® controller for PDP-11
Legacy and Impact
The PDP-11 have inspired generations of engineers and laid the groundwork for modern computing architectures. From education to industry, their influence is undeniable.
Learn More
Explore the capabilities of AZ® controllers on our wiki - AZWIKI and join the discussion by visiting the Forum MAXIOL.
Interested in the extended AZBK® Controller? Discover all the details and features by visiting our wiki: AZWIKI and our forum AZBK controller for BK-0010/BK-0010.01/BK-0011M series
Interested in learning about the revolutionary PDP-11? Visit its dedicated Wikipedia page or delve into other resources on the history of computing to gain deeper insights.
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