Interdata
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Industry | Technology |
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Founded | 1966 |
Fate | Purchased by Perkin-Elmer and later known as Concurrent Computer Corporation |
Headquarters | Oceanport, New Jersey |
Key people | Daniel Sinnott |
Products | Interdata 7/32 |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Former_manufacturing_facility_of_Interdata_Incorporated.jpg/220px-Former_manufacturing_facility_of_Interdata_Incorporated.jpg)
Interdata, Inc., was a computer company, founded in 1966 by a former Electronic Associates engineer, Daniel Sinnott, and was based in Oceanport, New Jersey. The company produced a line of 16- and 32-bit minicomputers that were loosely based on the IBM 360 instruction set architecture but at a cheaper price.[2] In 1974, it produced one of the first 32-bit minicomputers,[3] the Interdata 7/32. The company then used the parallel processing approach, which uses more than one computer processor simultaneously to perform work on a problem. This helped in making real-time computing a reality.[4][5]
Some real-time applications Interdata computers were used for included: Core Protection Calculator, used in some later Combustion Engineering designed nuclear power plants; lottery systems manufactured by GTech; the NexRad weather radar system. Many companies used them for internal high speed laboratory data capture, such as United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, Connecticut wind tunnel, General Electric R&D in Schenectady, New York, and Perkin-Elmer in Connecticut (which later acquired Interdata).
The operating system for the 16-bit computers was called OS/16, and for the 32-bit computers OS/32. The assembly language could generate series independent object code. Later, as with Gould, SEL, Modcomp and other real time competitors, they offered a 32-bit time sharing system called MTM (Multi Terminal Monitor).
Acquisitions
[edit]In 1973, Interdata was purchased by Perkin-Elmer Corporation,[6] a Connecticut-based producer of scientific instruments for $63.6 million.[4] Interdata was already making $19 million in annual sales but this merger made Perkin-Elmer's annual sales rise to over $200 million.[4] Interdata then became the basis for Perkin-Elmer's Data Systems Group.[7] In 1985, the computing division of Perkin-Elmer was spun off as Concurrent Computer Corporation.[8]
List of products
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Living_Computer_Museum_IMG_0002_%289636198071%29.jpg/170px-Living_Computer_Museum_IMG_0002_%289636198071%29.jpg)
- Interdata Model 1 – 1970[9]
- Interdata Model 3 – 1967[10][11]
- Interdata 4 (autoload, floating point)
- Interdata 5 (list processing, microcoded automatic I/O channel)
- Interdata 70 (1971), 74 (1973), 80 (1971), 85 (Writable Control Store, 1973)[9]
- Interdata 50, 55 (Communications systems)
- Interdata 5/16, 6/16, 7/16 (1974)[9]
- Interdata 8/16, 8/16e (double precision floating point, extended memory)
- Interdata RD-800 and RD-850 – 1975[9]
- Interdata 7/32 – 1974[9]
- Interdata 8/32 – 1975[9]
- Perkin-Elmer 3205, 3210, 3220, 3230, 3240, 3250, 3280
A simulator is available: http://simh.trailing-edge.com/interdata.html
References
[edit]- ^ Fazzi, Raymond (October 9, 1996). "Concurrent will sell building". Asbury Park Press. pp. C1, C3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Interdata Reference Manual 29-004R02 – Computing History". www.computinghistory.org.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ "About Concurrent – Concurrent". Concurrent.com. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ a b c "Concurrent Computer Corporation – FREE Concurrent Computer Corporation information | Encyclopedia.com: Find Concurrent Computer Corporation research". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ "Parallel Processing". Enclicopedia.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Enterprise, I. D. G. (1990-12-10). Computerworld. IDG Enterprise. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Trew, Arthur; Wilson, Greg (2012-12-06). Past, Present, Parallel: A Survey of Available Parallel Computer Systems. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9781447118428. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ "Concurrent Computer Corporation". www.new-npac.org. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers 1975. Auerbach. 1975. p. 5 (12).
- ^ "Interdata Model 2, 3 and 4". Computers and Automation. 16 (12): 3 (ad), 31 (Model 2), 36 (Model 4), 71 (Model 3). Dec 1967.
- ^ "Across the Editor's Desk: LOW-COST COMPUTER FOR ENGINEERING AND LAB RESEARCH". Computers and Automation. 16 (9): 45. Sep 1967.
External links
[edit]- interdata.org.uk – Site detailing the restoration of an Interdata Model 74 computer
- http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/28933/Interdata-Model-70-Users-Manual/ Model-70 User's Manual
- "Interdata computers documents". www.bitsavers.org.