RFC 311 (rfc311) - Page 1 of 2
New Console Attachments to the USCB Host
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
UCSB Computer
NETWORK WORKING GROUP Research Lab.
REQUEST FOR COMMENTS # 311 Roland F. Bryan
NIC #9341 29 February 1972
NEW CONSOLE ATTACHMENTS TO THE UCSB HOST
The MLC/360M
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The UCSB 360-75 is equipped with an interface unit that allows
attachment of any type of I/O device to the Multiplexor Channel and
for that device to be operated by program control as though it were a
standard IBM Control Unit. The interface, referred to as the
Multi-Line Controller/360M (MLC/360M), operates on the Multiplexor
Channel and provides 32 independently addressed I/O connections that
are grouped into 16 pairs to accommodate full- duplex I/O operation.
Each input group has a 16-bit input buffer plus related synchronizing
and control logic to make it a stand-alone control unit on the 360
channel. Similarly, each output group has a 32-bit buffer plus logic.
Attachment is achieved by connection through a data-set type connector
and I/O signal levels conform to EIA standards (RS-232 Spec.).
Both the I/O group hardware and the supporting software for the
MLC/360M are readily modified to produce any variations required for
attachment and operation of non-standard devices.
Since our primary support was for 201B data-sets at 2400 baud, we
first implemented the 16 I/O group pairs to accommodate this type of
modem in our time-shared user environment. The I/O groups have now
been variously modified to support a wide range of applications, from
300 baud acoustic coupled use to 9600 baud for multi-station classroom
operation.
New Consoles
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In addition to our standard attachments, which are mostly Culler-Fried
graphic display consoles and educational classrooms