
General Information
1.1
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Your computer system
is
made up of a group of devices
that
communicate with each other in order to
perform tasks for you. When you install your system, you provide the communication links when you
plug in the HP-IB and
RS-232
cables.
See
Figure 1-1.
The
heart
of your system
is
the System Processor Unit
(SPU).
The standard SPU contains four boards:
.r-
1.
Central Processor Unit (CPU -located in slot
5)
-capable of processing 200,000 machine instructions
per second (0.2
MIPS).
The CPU also performs a comprehensive,
built-in
system self-test, verifies
';
system problems, and performs routine testing on system hardware. The CPU
is
designed to
be
software
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compatible with all HP 3000 computers, enabling you to expand your system
as
your needs grow.
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2.
Peripheral Interface Controller
(PIC
-located in slot
4)
-a high-speed interface
that
utilizes the
HP
'.
Interface
Bus
(HP-IB). The PIC communicates with the tape, disc units, and system printers.
3.
Memory (located in slot
2)
-stores up to 512,000 bytes (512 kb) of information on a single board.
This board can
be
replaced by a 2,048,000 byte (2048 kb) board.
4.
Advanced Terminal Processor for the Series
37
(ATP37 -located in slot
1)
-
RS-232
serial interface.
The ATP37 provides one port to communicate with the modem and
six
ports to communicate with
terminals, plotters, and printers.
Slot 3
is
an
optional slot provided for either a second ATP37 board (that gives you the capability to
connect seven additional terminals
and/or
printers
and/or
plotters) or a second 512 kb memory board
(that increases your storage capacity to 1024
kb).
The Tape Unit allows you to store and retrieve data.
The Disc Drive
is
a "random access" memory device
that
is
capable of storing information. The system
program and your applications are stored on the disc.
The console
is
a terminal
that
is
plugged into Port
O.
It
is
primarily used to provide system control
(system start, backup, and stop) in addition to performing the functions of a terminal.
A terminal or personal computer allows you to communicate with the system, enabling you to perform a
variety of tasks efficiently.
A plotter provides a variety of graphics capabilities.
A
printer
provides high
-quality
printing
at
a speed
that
meets the needs of a small business system.
All of your system's devices perform
built-in
self-tests. The successful completion of the self-tests
indicates
that
your system hardware
is
performing correctly even before you begin your work.
1-2