bus and "flip-chip" style cards
Date: 1960-1970
Inventory Number: 1998-1-0230
Classification: Computer Element
Subject:
Maker: Digital Equipment Corporation (1957 - 1998)
User: Harvard Computation Laboratory (1944 - 1997)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
16.8 x 41.9 x 5.6 cm (6 5/8 x 16 1/2 x 2 3/16 in.)
Accessories: circuit board, "flip chip" cards (10)
DescriptionThe main body of the bus is a rectangular metal table with four round peg legs. In between each pair of legs on the short end of the table is a cylindrical tube that may be used to screw the bus onto another components or surface.
The top panel of the table is divided into six sections, each covered by a black plastic plate. Each plate has four connection jacks cut into the surface, each parallel to the long edges of the bus. Underneath the table, each hole in each jack connects to a round metal pin. As such, six rectangular grids of connection pins protrude from the bottom of the bus. Certain of these grids are connected to one another by red and blue wires.
The bus is accompanied by ten circuit board "flip chip" style cards that fit into the connection jacks on the surface of the table. Each of the cards has a row of thin brass plates at one end, each perpendicular to one edge of the card. This end of each card fits into the connection jacks on the surface of the table such that the brass plates connected with the metal pins underneath. Eight of the cards are the appropriate width to fit into one jack. Two of the cards are twice this size, and they fit into two adjacent jacks.
At the opposite end to the brass plates on each card is a rectangular plastic sheath and a plastic Y-shaped extension. Six of the thinner cards have beige plastic end pieces. The remaining two thinner cards have black plastic end pieces. Both of the doubly wide cards have two green end pieces. At each end of each plastic end piece is a small hole framed with a metal rivet.
The main body of each card, in between the brass plates and the plastic end piece, is constituted of a printed circuit board. Various circuit components -- resistors, microchips, capacitors, etc. (click here for a listing of various circuit components and their purposes) are attached to one side of the circuit boards. These pieces are connected to one another, to the brass plates at the bottom by soldered connections and circuits on the other side of each card.
When the bus is standing on its four legs, the cards stand vertically tall. When the bus is on its side, as it may be when connected to other computer components, the cards do not touch each other, but are stacked horizontally.
The top panel of the table is divided into six sections, each covered by a black plastic plate. Each plate has four connection jacks cut into the surface, each parallel to the long edges of the bus. Underneath the table, each hole in each jack connects to a round metal pin. As such, six rectangular grids of connection pins protrude from the bottom of the bus. Certain of these grids are connected to one another by red and blue wires.
The bus is accompanied by ten circuit board "flip chip" style cards that fit into the connection jacks on the surface of the table. Each of the cards has a row of thin brass plates at one end, each perpendicular to one edge of the card. This end of each card fits into the connection jacks on the surface of the table such that the brass plates connected with the metal pins underneath. Eight of the cards are the appropriate width to fit into one jack. Two of the cards are twice this size, and they fit into two adjacent jacks.
At the opposite end to the brass plates on each card is a rectangular plastic sheath and a plastic Y-shaped extension. Six of the thinner cards have beige plastic end pieces. The remaining two thinner cards have black plastic end pieces. Both of the doubly wide cards have two green end pieces. At each end of each plastic end piece is a small hole framed with a metal rivet.
The main body of each card, in between the brass plates and the plastic end piece, is constituted of a printed circuit board. Various circuit components -- resistors, microchips, capacitors, etc. (click here for a listing of various circuit components and their purposes) are attached to one side of the circuit boards. These pieces are connected to one another, to the brass plates at the bottom by soldered connections and circuits on the other side of each card.
When the bus is standing on its four legs, the cards stand vertically tall. When the bus is on its side, as it may be when connected to other computer components, the cards do not touch each other, but are stacked horizontally.
Signedembossed on the plastic end piece of each card: DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION / MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS
printed in blue and white on a blue and white label on edge of bus: digital / EQUIPMENT / CORPORATION / WESTMINSTER / MASSACHUSETTS
printed in blue and white on a blue and white label on edge of bus: digital / EQUIPMENT / CORPORATION / WESTMINSTER / MASSACHUSETTS
Inscribedtyped and handwritten on a white label on side of bus: Type: M M II S / LOT NO. 08816
embossed on metal plate on side of bus: MM II S / 5964
embossed on metal plate on side of bus: MM II S / 5964
FunctionAn early 'Q' bus and circuit cards from the Aiken Computation Laboratory at Harvard University.
A bus is a mechanism for communicating information between components of a computer or between computers. This bus is a parallel electric bus with twenty-four card connection ports. A comprehensive discussion of computer buses, their history and functioning is available here.
The twelve cards inserted into the bus are flip-chip style cards. "Flip chip" refers to the style of the circuit connection and soldering that sits on top of the circuit board. It is a space economical development upon standard circuits. These are used to communicate information between computer components. When attached to the bus, these cards can sometimes communicate with each other, or directly with outside mechanisms. A comprehensive discussion of "flip chip" circuitry is available here.
A bus is a mechanism for communicating information between components of a computer or between computers. This bus is a parallel electric bus with twenty-four card connection ports. A comprehensive discussion of computer buses, their history and functioning is available here.
The twelve cards inserted into the bus are flip-chip style cards. "Flip chip" refers to the style of the circuit connection and soldering that sits on top of the circuit board. It is a space economical development upon standard circuits. These are used to communicate information between computer components. When attached to the bus, these cards can sometimes communicate with each other, or directly with outside mechanisms. A comprehensive discussion of "flip chip" circuitry is available here.
ProvenanceThis bus and accompanying cards were found in the Aiken Computation Laboratory at Harvard University in 1995.