Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-1C-13 Computer System Information

PDP-1C-13 Data Processing Quotation for Mariner

Document: 102664165-05-0001-src.pdf, Page 3 of 7

Source: https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733963/record/102664165/

Published: June 27, 1961

To: Mr. William R. Hoover

cc: Mr. T. G. Johnas

Published By: Digital Equipment Corporation

June 27, 1961

Mr.William R. Hoover
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California

Reference: Data Processor Quotation for Mainer

Dear Mr. Hoover:

Digital Equipment Corporation is pleased to have this opportunity to propose the use of its Programmed Data Processor (PDP-1) for use by Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Mariner project. After completing a technical investigation of this application with J.P.L. personnel, it appears to be an ideal application for the PDP-1. Gordon Bell of the DEC engineering department has already provided data flow information for this application to J.P.L. personnel on his trip to the West Coast last week.

As a result we recommend the following configuration:

Item 1	Basic PDP-1 as described in the enclosed publication F-15A, except that a 60 character per second punch snd a single channel sequence break system are included. The memory will consist of one 4,096 word module.	$120,000.00
Item 2	Tape Control Unit Type 52	38,000.00
Item 3	2 Tape Units Type 50 @ $18,000 each	36,000.00
Item 4	High Speed Multiply/Divide Type 10	10,300.00
Item 5	18 Bit Real Time Scnchronized Clock	4,200.00
Item 6	7Bit Shift Register for Special Data Input	$ 400.00
	TOTAL	$208,900.00

Available Standard PDP-1 Options for Future Expansion

The PDP-1 has unusually good expansion capabilities with respect to this particular application and general purpose applications of a wide variety.

For example, our analysis of the Mariner application shows that incoming data rates significantly higher than the present 133 bits per second can be handled with no change in the processor configuration. These rates could increase as much as a factor of ten.

A standard option is memory modules of which a total of 4 (16,384 words) can be connected to the PDP-1.

Multiple channel sequence break (interrupt feature) is another standard option that would prove helpful in multiple telemetry channel work.

Although the 18 bit word length is more than adequate for the Mariner application as visulised, it will offer the possibility of expanding the application to include more arithmetic functions in the future. Its large instruction repertoire makes it a very efficient machine. The high speed multiply and divide feature (included in the recommended configuration) makes the PDP-1 a very fast fixed point machine. The maximum multiply time is 25 microseconds, and divide is 37 microseconds, including memory access. Subroutines which are available for floating point arithmetic and double precision arithmetic are convenient and helpful for general purpose scientific computation.

The CRT display and light pen are unique options available for the PDP-1 which open entire new man-machine communication possibilities. These, again are standard options that are available for the PDP-1.

Present Status of the PDP-1

Portions of the following information are company confidential and are submitted as part of this proposal in order to aid J.P.L. in evaluating the PDP-1 and Digital Equipment Corporation's capabilities.

The PDP-1 was first announced on December 1, 1959, at the Eastern Joint Computer Conference in Boston. On the day of the announcement an operating prototype of the machine was displayed and has been in continuous operation since that time.

To date, there are three fully operational PDP-1 systems installed. The first is at the research laboratory of Bolt, Beranck and Newman, Inc., in Cambridge, Mass. The second is at the Itek Corporation in Lexington, Mass., and the third is at the Digital Equipment Corporation home office in Maynard, Mass.

At present, there are ten PDP-1's on order for various applications. Among these are:

1. Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, California.
   
   Application as an off-line satellite to the IBM 7090 and the LARC, photographic film reading and pattern recognition work.
2. Bolt, Beranck and Newman, Inc., Los Angeles, California.
   
   Application is to data reduction of missile telemetry data, acoustic research, architectual planning, etc. This represent the second machine for this organization.
3. The Geotechnical Corporation, Dallas, Texas.
   
   Application as a component in a seismic analysis system of earthquake detection.

Programming Aids

A users' organization has been formed and is now functioning for exchange of information. In addition, Digital Equipment Corporation has sponsored the development of a compiler system known as DECAL. Complete analysis routines, etc., are available to facilitate the use of PDP-1. The assembly program known as FRAP has exceptional flexibility for expansion through symbol definition, etc. Arithmetic subroutines are available for the popular functions as well as floating point and double precision.

Delivery

If an order is placed before 1 August 1961, the PDP-1 system will be delivered during January 1962.

Terms

The prices quoted above are net, and full payment is due in 30 days. The prices are f.o.b. Maynard, Mass., and do not include any local, state or federal taxes which may be applicable. DEC further guarantees that the quoted prices are current and the lowest quoted to anyone, and place J.P.L. and the government in the most favoured category. This quotation will remain in effect for 30 days from date of issue.

Warranty

Digital Equipment Corporation warrants that the PDP-1 system as delivered will be free from design and manufacturing defects for a period of six months following delivery. All those services snd materials necessary to correct any deficiency will be furnished at no charge.

Training

Training of J.P.L. personnel to operate, program and maintain the PDP-1 computer will be provided at the DEC home office in Maynard, Mass. at no charge to J.P.L.

We at DEC are grateful for this opportunity to propose the use of the PDP-1 for the Mariner application. We are confident that you will find it an exciting machine with which you will be well pleased. Please let us know if we can be of any further help. Feel free to call Ted Johnson of our West Coast office or myself at any time.

Sincerely,

Harlan E. Anderson
Vice President