RL02 to PC image

[Chris Elmquist]

I thought about doing this with an FTDI FT245, which is a parallel to USB FIFO device that looks like a USB serial port to the USB-side host.  USB protocol will manage all the “flow control” and so the PDP can write to it as fast as it can.

We did a similar thing on Heathkit H89 and H8 machines, replacing an 8250 UART with the FT245 and then rolling some code on the Heath side to send and receive files to a PC host.

--
Chris Elmquist

> On Dec 15, 2017, at 12:49 PM, systems_glitch via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
> 
> It's on my list of things to do -- you can run external clock into DL11 and
> DLV11-J style connectors, and IM6402 UARTs are supposed to go up to 2 mbit,
> so somewhere between 38400 and 2 mbit should be possible. I believe it'll
> require external RS-232 transceivers due to the design of the ones used on
> various DEC boards. As you say, whether or not the bus/CPU can keep up is
> another matter! Figure if I can get any real improvement out of it, I'll
> lay out a board and provide high-speed kits.
> 
> Anyone know of a 40-pin UART with a FIFO? :)
> 
> Thanks,
> Jonathan
> 
> On Fri, Dec 15, 2017 at 1:34 PM, Ethan Dicks via cctalk <
> cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
> 
>> On Fri, Dec 15, 2017 at 9:38 AM, systems_glitch
>> <systems.glitch at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> vtserver does indeed work for transferring RL02 contents to a binary
>> image,
>>> suitable for use with SIMH or E11 or whatever.
>> 
>> Yep.  I backed up the RD52 in a new-to-me MicroPDP-11 and it took hours.
>> 
>>> Be advised, it takes a *long*
>>> time, even on a 11/73 with the serial port turned up to 38400 bps.
>> 
>> Has anyone done any console serial port hacking for speed on Qbus or
>> Unibus?  On something integrated like a KDF11-B it might not be so
>> easy, but maybe a DLV11J or a DL11W?
>> 
>> I'd think hitting 115200 would be really sweet, if everything can keep
>> up.  Totally worth some experimentation to see what part gives out at
>> ludicrous speed.
>> 
>> -ethan
>>