Digital Technical Journal of Digital Equipment Corporation

This journal issue is dedicated to the MicroVAX II system, detailing the design and implementation of its hardware and software. Key highlights include:

• Processor & FPU: In-depth technical descriptions of the 78032 32-bit microprocessor and the 78132 floating-point unit (FPU).
• Hardware Architecture: Development of the MicroVAX II CPU board, focusing on linked sequential machines, Q22-bus management, and memory system design.
• CAD Tools: The role of the custom CAD suite in reducing design time and ensuring the quality of the chips and boards.
• Software & Peripherals: Emulation of VAX instructions for the MicroVAX, graphics and windowing software (UIS) for the VAXstation, and the design of the TK50 cartridge tape drive and the RQDX3 disk controller.
• Porting: The process of porting the ULTRIX-32 operating system to the MicroVAX processor.