DEC T-11

Lore & Background

The T-11 was developed by Digital Equipment Corporation as a single-chip implementation of the PDP-11 instruction set architecture, targeting embedded applications. It was fabricated using NMOS logic and contained 13,000 transistors. The chip operated at either 7.5 MHz or 10 MHz, depending on the version, and required a single 5 V power supply, dissipating up to 1.1 W. Three versions were available by 1987: the original 7.5 MHz version (21-17311-01) produced by DEC, a second-source 7.5 MHz version (21-17311-00) from Synertek, and a 10 MHz version (21-17311-02) from DEC. The T-11 was used in DEC's M8639 RQDX2 disk controller, the VT240 terminal, auxiliary processors, and the Atari System 2 arcade game system. A clone of the T-11 was manufactured in the Soviet Union under the designation KR1807VM1.

Reader's Guide

The T-11 represents a significant step for Digital Equipment Corporation as its first single-chip microprocessor, marking the company's entry into the integrated microprocessor market. By implementing the PDP-11 instruction set architecture, it allowed embedded systems to leverage the existing software ecosystem of the PDP-11 family. Its use in DEC's own products, such as disk controllers and terminals, demonstrates its role as a practical embedded processor within the company's product lines. The existence of a second-source version from Synertek and a Soviet clone indicates the design's reach beyond DEC's own manufacturing. The T-11's adoption in the Atari System 2 arcade system shows its application in consumer-oriented entertainment hardware. The availability of multiple speed grades and versions through 1987 reflects ongoing production and demand for the processor in embedded roles.

Did You Know?

• The T-11 was code-named "Tiny" by DEC.
• It was the first single-chip microprocessor developed by Digital Equipment Corporation.
• A Soviet clone of the T-11 was manufactured under the designation KR1807VM1.