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Interdata

Summary

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]

Interdata
IndustryTechnology
Founded1966
FatePurchased by Perkin-Elmer and later known as Concurrent Computer Corporation
HeadquartersOceanport, New Jersey
Key people
Daniel Sinnott
ProductsInterdata 7/32
Interdata's offices and manufacturing facility in Oceanport, New Jersey (here seen in 2022), consisted of four interconnected buildings that were constructed from the 1960s through 1983.[1]

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

 
Interdata 7/32
  • 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

  1. ^ Fazzi, Raymond (October 9, 1996). "Concurrent will sell building". Asbury Park Press. pp. C1, C3 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Interdata Reference Manual 29-004R02 – Computing History". www.computinghistory.org.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  3. ^ "About Concurrent – Concurrent". Concurrent.com. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Parallel Processing". Enclicopedia.com. Enclicopedia.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ Enterprise, I. D. G. (1990-12-10). Computerworld. IDG Enterprise. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Concurrent Computer Corporation". www.new-npac.org. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers 1975. Auerbach. 1975. p. 5 (12).
  10. ^ "Interdata Model 2, 3 and 4". Computers and Automation. 16 (12): 3 (ad), 31 (Model 2), 36 (Model 4), 71 (Model 3). Dec 1967.
  11. ^ "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.