TX-2
| File:TX-2 mod top.jpg Circuit module from the TX-2 | |
| Developer | MIT Lincoln Laboratory |
|---|---|
| Product family | TX |
| Release date | 1958 |
| Predecessor | TX-0 |
The MIT Lincoln Laboratory TX-2 computer was the successor to the Lincoln TX-0 and was known for its role in advancing both artificial intelligence and human–computer interaction. Wesley A. Clark was the chief architect of the TX-2.[1]
Specifications
[edit | edit source]The TX-2 was a transistor-based computer using the then-huge amount of 64K 36-bit words of magnetic-core memory. The TX-2 became operational in 1958.[2][3] Because of its powerful capabilities, Ivan Sutherland's revolutionary Sketchpad program was developed for and ran on the TX-2.[4][5] One of its key features was the ability to directly interact with the computer through a graphical display.[6]
The TX-2 had 32 modes of predication, innovative bitmanipulation instructions [7] and is likely one of the very first processors with SIMD within a register, used in Sutherland's Sketchpad:
...the Lincoln Lab’s TX-2 computer offered instructions that operated on the ALU as either one 36-bit operation, two 18-bit operations, or four 9-bit operations... Sketchpad did in fact take advantage of these SIMD instructions, despite TX-2 appearing before invention of the term SIMD.[8]
The compiler (today we would say assembler) was developed by Lawrence Roberts while he was studying at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.[9]
In 1964 the TX-2 was extended with the APEX time-sharing system. This included a hardware memory-management unit named SPAN which employed thin-film memory.[10]
Relationship with DEC
[edit | edit source]Digital Equipment Corporation was a spin-off of the TX-0 and TX-2 projects. The TX-2 Tape System was a block addressable 1/2" tape developed for the TX-2 by Tom Stockebrand which evolved into LINCtape and DECtape.
Role in creating the Internet
[edit | edit source]Dr. Leonard Kleinrock developed the mathematical theory of packet networks which he successfully simulated on the TX-2 computer at Lincoln Lab.
Decommissioning
[edit | edit source]TX-2 was taken out of operation and dismantled in 1977.[11]
References
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- ^ Reilly, Edwin D. (2003) Milestones in Computer Science and Information Technology Greenwood Publishing Group Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). pg 261
- ^ Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004) Architecture's New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-aided Design MIT Press Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). pg 66
- ^ Naughton, John (1999): A brief history of the future: the origins of the internet, London, p. 71
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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