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Interdata

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Interdata
IndustryTechnology
Founded1966; 59 years ago (1966)
FatePurchased by Perkin-Elmer and later known as Concurrent Computer Corporation
HeadquartersOceanport, New Jersey
Key people
Daniel Sinnott
Products16-bit and 32-bit minicomputers
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]

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 16-bit computers had several operating systems, such as the Basic Operating System (BOSS),[6] Disk Operating System (DOS),[6][7] Real Time Operating System (RTOS),[6] and OS/16.[8] The 32-bit computers had 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

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In 1973, Interdata was purchased by Perkin-Elmer Corporation,[9] 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.[10] In 1985, the computing division of Perkin-Elmer was spun off as Concurrent Computer Corporation.[11]

List of products

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Interdata 7/32
  • Interdata Model 1 – 1970[12]
  • Interdata Model 3 – 1967[13][14]
  • 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)[12]
  • Interdata 50, 55 (Communications systems)
  • Interdata 5/16, 6/16, 7/16 (1974)[12]
  • Interdata 8/16, 8/16e (double precision floating point, extended memory)
  • Interdata RD-800 and RD-850 – 1975[12]
  • Interdata 7/32 – 1974[12]
  • Interdata 8/32 – 1975[12]
  • Perkin-Elmer 3205, 3210, 3220, 3230, 3240, 3250, 3280

A simulator is available: http://simh.trailing-edge.com/interdata.html

References

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  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. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Interdata User's Manual (PDF). Interdata. 1973. p. 7-1. 29-261R01.
  7. ^ DISK Operatingng System (DOS) Reference Manual (PDF). Interdata. 1972. 29-293R01.
  8. ^ "Interdata Develops New 16-bit Software".
  9. ^ Margolis, Nell (1990-12-10). "Can Concurrent make a comeback?". Computerworld. Vol. XXIV, no. 50. IDG Enterprise. p. 103. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Concurrent Computer Corporation". www.new-npac.org. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers 1975. Auerbach. 1975. p. 5 (12).
  13. ^ "Interdata Model 2, 3 and 4". Computers and Automation. 16 (12): 3 (ad), 31 (Model 2), 36 (Model 4), 71 (Model 3). Dec 1967.
  14. ^ "Across the Editor's Desk: LOW-COST COMPUTER FOR ENGINEERING AND LAB RESEARCH". Computers and Automation. 16 (9): 45. Sep 1967.
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