Honeywell 316 (computer)

The Honeywell Series 16 Model 316 was a popular 16-bit minicomputer built by Honeywell starting in 1969.

The Series 16 includes several 16-bit minicomputers: the Model 116, 316, 416, 516 and 716. They were commonly used for data acquisition and control, remote message concentration, clinical laboratory systems and time-sharing. The Series 16 central processors were used to build "Application Systems" which were complete hardware, software and support packages. Standard packages included:


 * Data Acquisition and Control Systems. Models: 1602, 1603 and 1605
 * Remote Message Concentrator Systems. Models: 1621 and 1622
 * Time-Sharing Systems. Models: 1642, 1644, 1646 and 1648A

The data communications systems could be configured as fault-tolerant with dual-processors and a watch-dog timer. The time-sharing systems were multi-processor with a master Control Processor and a slave Job Processor; the larger systems added a dedicated Communication Processor. The processors were tied together via the ICCU (InterComputer Communications Unit.)

There were also ruggedized versions of these processors that were built to military specifications. These models may be identified by an "R" appended to the model number. These included the 316R, 516R and the 1602R. According to a 1971 Summary Description:

"'...each system has been tested to ensure its ability to withstand specified levels of punishment.'"

"'Certification came after the computer was shaken, shocked, rocked side to side, frozen, baked, swept to a 10,000 foot altitude, and bombarded with sudden changes in power supply, voltage, and frequency.'"

One example is that the Model 516R was installed on US Coast Guard ships to gather data for weather forecasting and airborne target tracking.

IMPs, TIPs, and the ARPANET
The company Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN) submitted a proposal to the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in 1968 to build "Interface Message Processors for the ARPA Computer Network" in September 1968.

A ruggedized version of the DDP-516 was chosen to build the first generation Interface Message Processor (more commonly known as an "IMP") to connect host computers to the ARPANET. The 516 was originally configured with 12KW of core memory (expandable) and a 16 channel Direct Multiplex Control (DMC) unit. Custom interfaces were used to connect, through the multiplexor, to each of the hosts and modems. In addition to the lamps on the front panel of the 516 there was also a special set of 24 indicator lights to show the status of the IMP communication channels. The IMP performed the function of a store and forward message switcher, the precursor to modern internet routers. Each IMP could support up to four local hosts and could communicate with up to six remote IMPs over 50 Kbps leased lines. Support for 230.4 Kbps circuits was added in 1970.

In 1971 there was a transition to using the non-ruggedized H-316 as an IMP, but it could also be configured as a Terminal IMP (TIP) which added support for up to 63 Teletypes through a multi-line controller. The 316 featured a greater degree of integration than the 516 which made it lighter, less expensive and easier to maintain. The 316 was configured with 20KW of core memory for a TIP. The size of core memory was increased to 16KW for the IMPs and 28KW for TIPs in 1973.

The Honeywell based IMPs were superceded by multiprocessing BBN Pluribus IMPs in 1975. The original IMPs and TIPs were phased out after the introduction of the NSFnet, but some IMPs remained in service as late as 1989.

Miscellany

 * The H-316 Pedestal Model was also known as the infamous "Kitchen Computer."
 * "The original Prime computers were compatible with Honeywell Series 16 minicomputers." The early systems software development for the Prime was done on a DDP-516.
 * Trivia bit - Charles H. (Chuck) Moore "developed the first complete, stand-alone implementation of Forth in 1971" which ran on the DDP-116 and H-316.

History
Honeywell had a long history (1955-1991) of involvement in the computer industry. The company was part of the BUNCH companies competing with IBM in the 1970s. The history is very complex given the number of business mergers and acquisitions in which Honeywell was involved. There were also internal reorganizations that changed the name of the computer division.

These milestones are specific to the Series 16 and related machines, or give general information about Honeywell's computer business. No attempt is made to include mainframes or Multics. The dates given below are best estimates, based on a variety of sources, and the reliability of those sources varies. Additions and corrections are welcome.


 * 1953 Computer Control Corporation (CCC) founded; CCC was later acquired by Honeywell.
 * 1955 Datamatic Corporation formed; this was a joint venture between: Raytheon Manufacturing Company and the Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company.
 * 1957 Electronic Data Processing (EDP); Honeywell buys out Raytheon's share, and renames Datamatic.
 * 1964 CCC introduces the DDP-116; first 16-bit minicomputer, designed by Gardner Hendrie at CCC.
 * 1965 CCC introduces the DDP-516
 * 1966 Honeywell Computer Control Division; Honeywell buys CCC and forms a division out of it.
 * 1966 Honeywell introduces the DDP-416
 * 1968 The ruggedized DDP-516R chosen for use as ARPA network IMP by BBN.
 * 1969 Honeywell introduces the H-316 and the (renamed) H-516.
 * 1970 Honeywell Information Systems reorganization; Honeywell merges its computer business with General Electric.
 * 1971 H-316 chosen for use as ARPA network TIP and IMP by BBN.
 * 1972 Honeywell introduces the H-716.
 * 1986 Honeywell-Bull formed; Honeywell forms partnership with Compagnie des Machines Bull and NEC.
 * 1989 ARPANET decommisioned, all IMPs and TIPS retired from service.
 * 1991 Honeywell is no longer in the computer business.

Processor registers
The Honeywell minicomputer documented here is a Model 316-01. The processor, core and I/O fit in a single chassis. There is also a second (empty) chassis which could be used for expansion. It was manufactured in 1970, and used in a university electrical engineering department until about 1984.

A basic system included 4kw (16-bit words, w/optional parity) of core memory and could be expanded to 16kw; the optional Extended Addressing module allows up to 32kw. The I/O interfaces are constructed from Honeywell's &#181;-PACs which are inserted into slots adjacent to the processor backplane. The processor circuit boards are 6.5&quot; by 5&quot; and contain 1/4&quot; flat-pack chips. A Teletype ASR-33 console interface is standard.

The instruction set can include extra instructions performed by the (optional) High Speed Arithmetic Unit which adds addition and subtraction that are performed on data in the double-precision format, and hardware multiply and divide.

Data-Handling Instructions

 * LDA - Load the A Register
 * STA - Store the A Register
 * CRA - Clear the A Register
 * IAB - Interchange A and B
 * IMA - Interchange Memory and A
 * INK - Input Keys
 * OTK - Output Keys
 * LDX - Load Index Register
 * STX - Store Index Register

Arithmetic Instructions

 * ADD - Add
 * TCA - Twos-Complement of A
 * ACA - Add Overflow Bit to A
 * AOA - Add One to A
 * SUB - Subtract

Logic Instructions

 * ANA - Logical AND to A
 * CSA - Copy Sign and Set Sign Plus
 * CHS - Complement the Sign of A
 * CMA - Complement the A Register
 * ERA - Exlusive OR to A
 * SMM - Set Sign Minus
 * SSP - Set Sign Plus

Shift Instructions

 * ALR - Logical Left Rotate
 * ARR - Logical Right Rotate
 * ALS - Arithmetic Left Shift
 * ARS - Arithmetic Right Shift
 * LGL - Logical Left Shift
 * LGR - Logical Right Shift
 * LRS - Long Arithmetic Right Shift
 * LLS - Long Arithmetic Left Shift
 * LRL - Long Right Logical Shift
 * LLL - Long Left Logical Shift
 * LLR - Long Left Rotate
 * LRR - Long Right Rotate

Byte-Handling Instructions

 * CAL - Clear Left Half of A
 * CAR - Clear Right Half of A
 * ICA - Interchange Characters in A
 * ICL - Interchange and Clear Left Half of A
 * ICR - Interchange and Clear Right Half of A

Control Instructions

 * CAS - Compare
 * IRS - Increment, Replace and Skip
 * ENB - Enable Interrupt
 * INH - Inhibit Interrupt
 * HLT - Halt
 * NOP - No Operation
 * JMP - Unconditional Jump
 * JST - Jump and Store Location
 * RCB - Reset C Bit
 * SCB - Set C Bit
 * SKP - Unconditional Skip
 * SLN - Skip Low-order Bit One
 * SLZ - Skip if Low-order Bit Zero
 * SMI - Skip if A Minus
 * SPL - Skip if A Plus
 * SNZ - Skip if A Not Zero
 * SZE - Skip if A Zero
 * SRn - Skip if Sense Switch #n Reset
 * SSn - Skip if Sense Switch #n Set
 * SSC - Skip if C Set
 * SRC - Skip if C Reset
 * SSR - Skip if No Sense Switch Set
 * SSS - Skip if Any Sense Switch Set

Input/Output Instructions

 * OCP - Output Control Pulse
 * SKS - Skip if Set
 * INA - Input to A Register
 * OTA - Output from A Register
 * SMK - Set Mask

High-Speed Arithmetic Package

 * DBL - Enter Double-Precision Mode
 * SGL - Enter Single-Precision Mode
 * DLD - Double-Precision Load
 * DST - Double-Precision Store
 * DAD - Double-Precision Add
 * DSB - Double-Precision Subtract
 * MPY - Multiply
 * DIV - Divide
 * NRM - Normalize
 * SCA - Shift Count to A

Memory Parity Feature

 * SPN - Skip if No Parity Error
 * SPS - Skip on Memory Parity Error
 * RMP - Reset Memory Parity Error

Extended Addressing Feature

 * EXA - Enable Extended Addressing
 * DXA - Disable Extended Addressing

Restricted Mode Package

 * ERM - Enter Restricted Mode

Backplane
Abbreviations:
 * N/C - not configured/connected.
 * CP - Control Panel
 * DMC - Data Multiplex Control
 * EA - Extended Addressing
 * MLO - Memory LockOut
 * MP - Memory Parity
 * PI - Priority Interrupt

Configuration
Type No.       Description

316-01         Model 316 computer, 4K memory, rack mountable configuration, includes control panel and power supply 316-02         Additional 4K memory 316-0601       Extended-mode operation for Model 316 316-0602       Expansion package for greater than 16K core 316-0701       Parity for first 4K of core 316-0702       Parity for each additional 4K of core 316-0800       Base sector relocation 316-0801       Memory lockout for first 8K of core 316-0802       Memory lockout for each additional 8K of core 316-11         High-speed arithmetic package 316-12         Real-time clock 316-20         Direct multiplex control (DMC) unit, controls 16 devices 316-21         High-speed DMC, controls 16 devices 316-25         Group of four priority interrupt lines 316-25-1       Additional group of four priority interrupt lines 316-26         Memory counter modification for group of four priority interrupt lines 316-29         16 SKS and 16 OCP lines