PDP-16


The PDP-16 was mainly intended for industrial control systems, but with more capability than DEC's PDP-14.

Overview

The PDP-16 family of modules was introduced in 1971, and a pre-assembled system using these modules, the PDP-16/M was introduced in 1972. The 16/M was nicknamed "Subminicomputer" and described as "a small microprogrammable computer."
The general-purpose modules included:
  1. components to build a data path
  2. components to build a control structure
  3. other components necessary to complete a digital system
The control structure was similar to a flow chart,
which was very familiar to software developers.
As a result, the PDP-16 opened up digital system design to those with experience writing software but less hardware design experience than was traditionally required for this work.
These modules were in the company's M series of Flip-Chip modules, which used TTL circuit technology.
The economic strength of the PDP-16 was that it was effective "for designing unique systems."