| The IBM System/7 was a computing system designed to
acquire physical data such as voltage, current, temperature,
pressure and other measurements directly from instrumentation
and devices. The system converted and analyzed the data
to produce meaningful information that was communicated
to operational personnel or other computers. Control could
then be exercised, where required, over the physical process
to which the System/7 was attached. The System/7 could
also acquire and transmit data via inplant and remote
multimedia data communication stations and asynchronous,
synchronous and binary synchronous communication lines.
A standalone System/7 could be used for simple applications.
More comprehensive applications or those requiring data
integrated with a management information system could
be handled by a multisystem arrangement of several System/7s
working in concert with an IBM System/370, or by communicating
with another System/7, IBM System/3, most models of
the IBM System/360, IBM System/370, IBM
1130 and IBM 1800 systems.
The System/7, because of its modular design, could
handle the far ranging variety of instrumentation signals
generated by contemporary technology. Both monolithic
and auxiliary storage were readily expandable. Sensor-based
and data collection input/output facilities were extensive
and flexible.
The System/7 was composed of a processor module, from
one to eleven input/output modules, an operator station,
and associated peripheral devices. The processor and
I/O modules were housed in enclosures that provided
self-contained power supplies and signal distribution.
IBM System/7’s IBM 5010 Model A processor module
(left) and IBM 5028 operator station (right).
IBM 5010 Processor Module, Models A, B and
E
- Model A offered from 2K to 16K words of storage
in 2K increments.
- Model B offered from 2K to 16K words of storage
in 2K increments, and was used for direct attachment
to an IBM 1130.
- Model E offered:
- From 16K to 64K words of storage in 4K increments.
- Seven more instructions than Models A and B.
- Storage protect features including write protection
of 512-word blocks of storage, except for input
from cycle-stealing devices. Four protect key
registers were associated with four operating
levels and a storage key register was associated
with each 512-word storage block.
- Highlights of Models A, B and E:
- Words were 16 bits in size with two parity bits
per word.
- 400-nanosecond monolithic memory.
- Register to accumulator add time was 400 nanoseconds.
- Two independent interval timers operated at
50-microsecond increments.
- Four levels of priority interrupt; 16 interrupt
sources per level.
- Each level had its own register stack (Instruction
Address Register, Accumulator, and seven index
registers).
- Fast interrupt response: between 800 nanoseconds
and 4.7 microseconds. Typical response: 1.4 microseconds.
- Interactive communication between operator and
system.
- Optional feature provided a power failure interrupt
with an automatic restart in event of power loss.
Asynchronous Communications Control Adapter
(ACCA)
- Special feature on 5010 Models A and E.
- Provided control circuits for one asynchronous
communications line adapter between System/7 and System/370
or System/360, or IBM 1800.
- Permitted Initial Program Load (IPL) of System/7
from remote processor.
Binary Synchronous Communications Adapter (BSCA)
- Special feature on 5010 Models A and E.
- Provided control circuits for one binary synchronous
communications line adapter operating in point-to-point
or multipoint tributary mode.
- Communicated with System/370 Models 115 through
195, System/3 Models 6 and 10, and other 5010 Models
A or E.
- Offered access to virtual storage System/370 software
support.
- Allowed CICS and IMS support of System/7 as a BSC
terminal.
- Communicated in half-duplex mode at wide range of
speeds depending on modem attached.
- Transferred data via a direct storage access mechanism,
minimizing processor loading.
- Permitted IPL of System/7 from remote processor.
Cycle Steal Basic
- Special feature on 5010 Models A, B and E.
- Provided path between 5010 and the IBM 5022 disk
storage module equipped with Disk Cycle Steal attachment.
IBM 5028 Operator Station
Provided a keyboard, printer, paper tape reader/punch.
Each System/7 had to have access to a 5028 for maintenance.
IBM 5026 Enclosures
- Provided housing and power for an IBM 5010 and
input/output modules.
- Model A2 housed processor and one I/O module.
- Model C3 housed processor and two I/O modules.
- Model C6 housed processor and up to five I/O modules.
- Model D3 could be attached to Models C3 and C6
to provide up to three additional I/O modules.
- Model D6 could be attached to Models C3 and C6
to provide up to six additional I/O modules.
- Thermal detector warned if internal temperature
exceeded danger point.
- Internal Air Isolation, optional feature for Models
C3, C6, D3 and D6, was used in severe industrial environments
in which there were gaseous contaminants harmful to
electronic circuitry.
Input/Output Modules
- IBM 5012 multifunction module provided analog and
digital I/O and IBM 2790 control on System/7.
- IBM 5013 digital input/output module provided digital
I/O, expansion for custom products, and 2790 control
on System/7.
- IBM 5014 analog input module Model B1 provided
analog-to-digital conversions of up to 200 samples
per second.
- IBM 5014 Model C1 provided analog-to-digital conversions
of up to 20,000 samples per second.
- IBM 5022 disk storage module was available in four
models.
- Pluggable termination cards had screw terminals
for attaching sensor devices. Cards plugged directly
into I/O module.
- Swing-out gates provided rapid access to processor
and I/O modules without disrupting connection between
termination cards and sensor devices.
- Designed for non-air-conditioned environments.
Programming Support
Provided on the System/7 and the host computer, it
included:
- System/7 Disk Support System
- System/7 Program Preparation Facilities.
- Macro assembler.
- FORTRAN compiler.
- Application Module Library.
- Source Library Editor.
- MSP/7 Host Program Preparation Facilities.
- Available on System/370, System/360, IBM 1130 and
1800.
- Macro assembler.
- On System/360 and System/370 only:
- FORTRAN compiler.
- Application Program Generator.
- Application Module Library.
- MSP/7 standalone assembler.
- Single-pass assembly.
- Multiple assemblies without program reload.
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