================================================================================
Note 43.0                  RQDX Controller Status/Info                No replies
FURILO::PROPPER                                     819 lines  13-AUG-1986 15:04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      +---------------+                                    +-----------------+
      | d i g i t a l |                                    |  uNOTE # 043    |
      +---------------+                                    +-----------------+

                                                                   
      +----------------------------------------------------+-----------------+
      | Title: RQDX CONTROLLER STATUS/INFORMATION          | Date: 10-Jun-86 |
      +----------------------------------------------------+-----------------+
      | Originator: JACK TOTO                              | Page 1 of 14    |
      +----------------------------------------------------+-----------------+

      This MicroNote contains a collection of data and charts which will allow
      users to match the correct RD/RX controller and firmware revision to his
      system/CPU, as well as compatibility of disk formatting  software.   All
      chart  compatibilities  were  developed  using  the  latest  versions of
      operating system software available  as  of  the  date  posted  on  this
      MicroNote.   The  MicroNote  is divided into 4 sections, one for each of
      the controllers as outlined below.


                I. RQDX1
                    A. RQDX1 History
                    B. RQDX1 Firmware
                    C. RQDX1 Compatibility
                         1. Controller/TYU Upgrades
                         2. System Upgrade Examples

                II. RQDX2
                     A. RQDX2 History
                     B. RQDX2 Firmware
                     C. RQDX2 Compatibility

                III. RQDX3
                      A. RQDX3 History
                      B. RQDX3 Firmware
                      C. RQDX3 Compatibility
                          1. Controller/CPU Upgrades
                          2. System Upgrade Examples

                IV. Compatibility Charts
                      A. RQDX1
                      B. RQDX2
                      C. RQDX3








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      I. RQDX1 HISTORY:
      -----------------


      The   first   version   of   RQDX1   micro-code   (version   7.0)    had
      incompatibilities   with  RX50  diskettes/drives  transported  from  one
      machine to another, this was noted and  changed  with  ECO  (Engineering
      Change  Order)  M8639-ML002  dated  June  1984.   The new ROM micro-code
      became known as Version 8.0.


      When the RD52 was announced, the same controller was  to  be  used  with
      these  drives,  but the firmware obviously needed to be changed in order
      to recognize this new drive.  The new micro-code for  the  RD52s  became
      known as version 9.0, and was documented in ECO M8639-ML004.


      The RQDX1 later underwent another ECO that allowed it to be resident  in
      any  Q-bus  slot after the CPU.  This ECO involved changes in etch work,
      micro-code and nomenclature.  The  controller  name  and  module  number
      changed  from  the  RQDX1  with  module  number  M8639-YA stamped on the
      handles, to the RQDX2 with module number M8639-YB stamped on the handle.
      The  firmware  revision became known as version 9.4E, and was compatible
      with the RX50 and RD5n (n = 1, 2, 3) series devices.


      RQDX1 FIRMWARE:
      ---------------
      The RQDX1 has had three revisions to its firmware.  The ROM part numbers
      for  the  RQDX1  controller  are listed below.  The two ROM part numbers
      represent the low and high byte pieces of micro-code, and both parts are
      needed when upgrading a system from one level to the next.  The low byte
      ROM is installed in socket E106 and the high byte ROM  is  installed  in
      socket E105.  Refer to the RQDX1 maintenance prints (PN MP-01731-01) for
      the location of those sockets.


       Version 7.0 ROMs  For RQDX1 Support of The RX50 and RD51:
                             23-238E4-00 for the low byte ROM.
                             23-239E4-00 for the high byte ROM.

       Version 8.0 ROMs  For RQDX1 Support of The RX50 and RD51:
                             23-264E4-00 for the low byte ROM.
                             23-265E4-00 for the high byte ROM.

       Version 9.0 ROMs  For RQDX1 Support of The RX50 and RD51/52:
                             23-042E5-00 for the low byte ROM.
                             23-043E5-00 for the high byte ROM.





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      RQDX1 COMPATIBILITY 
      -------------------


                          CONTROLLER/CPU UPGRADES: 
                          ------------------------
      It is important to note that when upgrading either the CPU or the  RX/RD
      controller,  that  you  change the firmware on both of the modules.  For
      example if your current system is  a  MicroPDP-11/23  with  version  8.0
      firmware   on  both  the  CPU  and  the  controller,  your  system  will
      successfully boot an RD51 as a fixed device in the system.  If you  wish
      to  upgrade  your  system  to allow for the usage of a larger fixed disk
      (RD52), you will need to upgrade the ROMs on the RQDX1 from version  8.0
      to version 9.0 (see RQDX1 HISTORY for actual part numbers).  However due
      to some timing considerations the ROMs on the CPU card  should  also  be
      changed  to  version  9.0 (this will change the CPU from a KDF11-BE to a
      KDF11-BF).  Further the formatter used with the  newer  micro-code  will
      not be the same as the one used for the older micro-code.  To obtain the
      proper formatter file name, refer to the chart below.


             SYSTEM UPGRADE EXAMPLES:
             ------------------------

                          VERSION 7.0/8.0 SYSTEM
                          ----------------------
      CPU ROMs: (KDF11-BE)                RQDX1 ROMs:
          23-158E4-00                           23-238E4-00   {version 7.0}
          23-159E4-00                           23-239E4-00   

                                             -- OR --
                                                
                                                23-264E5-00   {version 8.0}
                                                23-265E5-00


                          VERSION 9.0/9.4E SYSTEM
                          -----------------------
      CPU ROMs: (KDF11-BF)                RQDX1 ROMs
          23-183E4-00                           23-042E5-00   {version 9.0}
          23-184E4-00                           23-043E5-00   {RQDX1      }

                                             -- OR --

                                                23-172E5-00   {version 9.4E}
                                                23-173E5-00   {RQDX2       }







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      II. RQDX2 HISTORY:
      ------------------
      As mentioned above, the RQDX1 controller became the RQDX2 with an ECO to
      the board itself and a change to the firmware allowing it to support the
      latest mass storage devices on MicroPDP-11s and  MicroVAX  I's  (RD52s).
      The  announcement  day (MicroVAX II) ROMs (version 10.0D) were available
      to be used with the RD53s, and have been upgraded once, to  the  version
      10.0E  micro-code.   These two versions of the firmware will boot any of
      the RD devices available for the MicroPDP-11s or the MicroVAXs.


      RQDX2 FIRMWARE:
      ---------------
      The RQDX2 has had three revisions to its firmware.  The ROM part numbers
      for  the  RQDX2  controller  are listed below.  The two ROM part numbers
      represent the low and high byte pieces of micro-code, and both parts are
      needed when upgrading a system from one level to the next.  The low byte
      ROM is installed in socket E106 and the high byte ROM  is  installed  in
      socket E105.  Refer to the RQDX2 maintenance prints (PN MP-01731-01) for
      the location of those sockets.


        Version 9.4E ROMs For RQDX2 Support With The RX50 and RD51/52:
                              23-172E5-00 for the low byte ROM.
                              23-173E5-00 for the high byte ROM.

        Version 10.0D ROMs For RQDX2 Support With The RX50 and RD51/52/53:
                              23-178E5-00 for the low byte ROM.
                              23-179E5-00 for the high byte ROM.

        Version 10.0E ROMs For RQDX2 Support With The RX50 and RD51/52/53:
                              23-188E5-00 for the low byte ROM.
                              23-189E5-00 for the high byte ROM.


      RQDX2 COMPATIBILITY 
      -------------------

                          CONTROLLER/CPU UPGRADES:
                          ------------------------
      It is important to note that when upgrading either the CPU or the  RX/RD
      controller,  that  you  change the firmware on both of the modules.  For
      example if your current system is a MicroPDP-11/23 with version  9.0  or
      firmware  on the CPU and version 9.0 or 9.4E firmware on the controller,
      your system will successfully boot an RD52 as  a  fixed  device  in  the
      system.   If you wish to upgrade your system to allow for the usage of a
      larger fixed disk (RD53), you will need to upgrade the ROMs on the RQDX2
      from  whatever version you currently have to version 10.0D.  This change
      will further require that the CPU be able to boot  the  RD53.   If  your
      system is a MicroPDP-11, the user will need install the KDF11-B3 ROM set
      installed on the CPU.  If the user's system is a MicroVAX II the  system
      ROMs on the KA630 CPU module will boot the RD53.  Finally, the formatter

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      used with the newer/upgraded micro-code will not be the same as the  one
      used  for  the  older  micro-code.   To  obtain  the  correct  formatter
      filename, refer to the chart below.


             SYSTEM UPGRADE EXAMPLES:
             ------------------------


                          VERSION 9.0/9.4E SYSTEM
                          -----------------------
      CPU ROMs: (KDF11-BF)                RQDX1/2 ROMs:
          23-183E4-00                           23-042E4-00   {version 9.0}
          23-184E4-00                           23-043E4-00   {RQDX1      }

                                             -- OR --
                                                
                                                23-172E5-00   {version 9.4E}
                                                23-173E5-00   {RQDX2


                          VERSION 10.0D/10.0E SYSTEM
                          --------------------------
      CPU ROMs: (KDF11-BH)                RQDX2 ROMs
          23-380E4-00                           23-178E5-00   {version 10.0D}
          23-381E4-00                           23-179E5-00   {RQDX2        }

                                             -- OR --

                                                23-188E5-00   {version 10.0E}
                                                23-189E5-00   {RQDX2        }

      III. RQDX3 HISTORY:
      -------------------
      The RQDX3 is the enhanced version of  the  RQDX  family  of  MSCP  RX/RD
      device  controllers.   Disks previously formatted on RQDX1/2 controllers
      will not be compatible with the RQDX3 controller.   The  RQDX1/2  stores
      the  disk geometry information in ROM while the RQDX3 stores the data on
      the disk itself and reads in the track that  contains  this  information
      during  the  power  up sequence.  Further the RQDX3 uses a 17 sector per
      track format while the RQDX1/2 uses  an  18  sector  per  track  format.
      There  are  also a few performance enhancements to the RQDX3 that add to
      its preference as a disk controller over the older versions, those being
      a  1:1  disk  interleaving  versus  3:1  interleaving  for  the  earlier
      controllers, an elevator seek reordering algorithm is used as well as an
      algorithm to handle overlapped seeks when multiple RD5ns are resident in
      a system.  Further the problem that  existed  with  the  RQDX2  hold-off
      timer  has been fixed on the RQDX3 by increasing the length of the timer
      so as not to steal DMA grants from a second RX/RD  controller  or  other
      DMA devices in the system.



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      RQDX3 FIRMWARE:
      ---------------
      The RQDX3 has had only one firmware  version  to  date.   The  ROM  part
      numbers  for  the  RQDX3  controller are listed below.  The two ROM part
      numbers represent the low and high byte pieces of micro-code,  and  both
      parts  are  needed  when  upgrading a system from one level to the next.
      The low byte ROM is installed in socket E22 and the  high  byte  ROM  is
      installed  in socket E21.  Refer to the RQDX3 maintenance prints for the
      location of those sockets.


        VERSION 1.10 ROMs 23-216E5-00 for the low byte ROM.
                          23-217E5-00 for the high byte ROM.


      RQDX3 COMPATIBILITY:
      -------------------

                          CONTROLLER/CPU UPGRADES:
                          ------------------------
      It should be noted that whenever you upgrade your system  by  adding  an
      RQDX3 controller in place of an RQDX1/2 that the disks (RD51/52/53) will
      have to be reformatted using the newest XXDP+  or  MDM  formatter.   The
      disks  are  NOT  forward compatible as they were when upgrading with the
      two earlier controllers.  Along with this controller  upgrade  the  user
      SHOULD  upgrade his CPU.  If your system is a MicroPDP-11, the user will
      need to install the KDF11-B3 ROM set on the CPU module.   If  the  users
      system  is  a  MicroVAX  II the system ROMs on the KA630 CPU module will
      boot the RD53.


             SYSTEM UPGRADES EXAMPLES:
             -------------------------

                          VERSION 1.10 SYSTEM
                          -------------------
      CPU ROMs: (KDF11-BF)                RQDX3 ROMs:
          23-183E4-00                           23-216E5-00   {version 1.10}
          23-184E4-00                           23-217E5-00   

       -- OR --
       
      CPU ROMs: (KDF11-BG)
          23-380E4-00
          23-381E4-00    








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      IV. COMPATIBILITY CHART: 
      ------------------------ 
      When using any of  the  RQDX*  compatibility  charts  find  the  correct
      controller  type (RQDX1/2/3) and revision level.  Then follow any of the
      connected lines from that point, any of the devices that are on the line
      are  compatible,  any  of  the  devices  not  connected by the lines are
      obviously not compatible.  The formatters  for  PDP-11  systems  can  be
      found  either  in  the  XXDP+ diagnostics package or on the set of RX50s
      that ship with the system.  It is the specific diagnostic  routine  that
      is listed in the column under formatter.  The formatter for MicroVAX I's
      and II'S are found either in the MDM diagnostic package for MicroVAX  II
      and  on  the RX50s that come with the MicroVAX I system.  The RX50s that
      come with the MicroVAX II contain NO formatter and the MDM package  must
      be  obtained.   It  is  possible  to take the unformatted drive to Field
      Service and have them format the disk.


      The charts are outlined as follows:


             A. RQDX1
                 1. Version 7.0
                 2. Version 8.0
                 3. Version 9.0
             B. RQDX2
                 1. Version 9.4E
                 2. Version 10.0D
                 3. Version 10.0E
             C. RQDX3
                 1. Version 1.10




                                        NOTE

              There are no diagnostics  that  are  available  for  the
              RQDX3  on  a MicroVAX I that is the only reason that the
              RQDX3 is not supportted on a MicroVAX I.














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       RQDX1:
       -----



       CONTROLLER           CPU                DISK(S)       FORMATTER
       ----------           ---                -------       ---------
                                            

                           KDF11-BE             RD51     ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1
                       +------------------> ---------->  -------------->  
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |
       RDQX1           |                   
       VERSION 7.0     |   KDJ11-AA             RD51    ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1
      ---------------> +------------------> ----------> -------------->
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |   KDJ11-BA             RD51     ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1
                       +------------------> ---------->  -------------->
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |  
                       |   FALCON PLUS          RD51     ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1
                       +------------------> ---------->  --------------> 
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |   MICROVAX I           RD51     SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
                       +------------------> ---------->  ------------------>
                                                         EHXRQ

                        











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       CONTROLLER           CPU                DISK(S)       FORMATTER
       ----------           ---                -------       ---------


                                                RD51  
                                            +--------->
                           KDF11-BE         |            ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1 
                       +------------------> |            ------------->
                       |                    |   RD52   
                       |                    +---------> 
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51   
                       |                    +---------> 
                       |   KDF11-BF         |            ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1  
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |  RD52  
                       |                    +--------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51   
       RQDX1           |                    +--------->
       VERSION 8.0     |   KDJ11-AA         |           ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1
      ---------------> +------------------> |           -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +--------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +--------->
                       |   KDJ11-BA         |            ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +--------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------> 
                       |   MicroVAX I       |            SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
                       +------------------> |            ------------------>
                       |                    |  RD52      EHXRQ
                       |                    +--------->
                       |
                       |
                       |
                       |   FALCON PLUS          RD51     ZRQBA0, ZRQBC1
                       +------------------> ---------->  -------------->





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       CONTROLLER           CPU                DISK(S)       FORMATTER
       ----------           ---                -------       ---------
                       

                                                RD51 
                                            +--------->  
                           KDF11-BF         |            ZRQCB1, ZRQBC1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +--------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +--------->
                       |   KDF11-BG         |            ZRQCB1, ZRQBC1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +--------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
       RQDX1           |                    +---------> 
       VERSION 9.0     |   KDJ11-AA         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
      ---------------> +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +---------> 
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51
                       |                    +--------->
                       |   KDJ11-BA         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52  
                       |                    +--------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +--------->
                       |   MicroVAX  I      |            SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
                       +------------------> |            ------------------>
                       |                    |   RD52     EHXRQ
                       |                    +--------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +--------->  
                       |   MicroVAX  II     |            MDM 1.06 
                       +------------------> |            --------->
                                            |   RD52     MDM 1.08
                                            +--------->


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       RQDX2:
       -----


       CONTROLLER           CPU                DISK(S)       FORMATTER
       ----------           ---                -------       ---------

                                                RD51
                                            +---------->  
                           KDF11-BF         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |                        RD51     
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   KDF11-BG         |   RD52     ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> +----------> -------------->
                       |                    |  RD53
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
       RQDX2           |                    +---------->
       VERSION 9.4E    |   KDJ11-AA         |   RD52     ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
      ---------------> +------------------> +----------> -------------->
                       |                    |   RD53
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   KDJ11-BA         |   RD52     ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> +----------> -------------->
                       |                    |   RD53
                       |                    +----------> 
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   MicroVAX  I      |            SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
                       +------------------> |            ------------------>
                       |                    |   RD52     EHXRQ
                       |                    +----------> 
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   MicroVAX II      |   RD52     MDM 1.06 
                       +------------------> +----------> -------->
                                            |   RD53     MDM 1.08
                                            +---------->




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       CONTROLLER           CPU                DISK(S)       FORMATTER
       ----------           ---                -------       ---------


                                                RD51 
                                            +---------->
                           KDF11-BF         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +----------> 
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   KDF11-BG         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |    RD52
                       |                    +----------> 
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
       RQDX2           |                    +---------->  
       VERSION 10.0D   |   KDJ11-AA         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
      ---------------> +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51
                       |                    +---------->  
                       |   KDJ11-BA         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +----------> 
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   MicroVAX  I      |             SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
                       +------------------> |             ------------------>
                       |                    |   RD52      EHXRQ
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   MicroVAX  II     |             MDM 1.06
                       +------------------> |             -------->
                                            |   RD52      MDM 1.08
                                            +---------->


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       CONTROLLER           CPU                DISK(S)       FORMATTER
       ----------           ---                -------       ---------


                                                RD51 
                                            +---------->
                           KDF11-BF         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   KDF11-BG         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |  RD52
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
       RQDX2           |                    +---------->
       VERSION 10.0E   |   KDJ11-AA         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
      ---------------> +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   KDJ11-BA         |            ZRQBC1, ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> |            -------------->
                       |                    |   RD52
                       |                    +----------> 
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   MicroVAX  I      |            SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS
                       +------------------> |            ------------------>
                       |                    |   RD52     EHQRX
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   MicroVAX  II     |   RD52     MDM 1.06
                       +------------------> +----------> -------->
                                            |   RD53     MDM 1.08
                                            +---------->


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       RQDX3:
       -----

       
       CONTROLLER           CPU                DISK(S)       FORMATTER
       ----------           ---                -------       ---------

                                                RD51 
                                            +---------->
                           KDF11-BF         |   RD52     ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> +----------> ------>
                       |                    |  RD53
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51    
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   KDF11-BG         |   RD52     ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> +----------> ------>
                       |                    |   RD53
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
       RQDX3           |                    +---------->
       VERSION 1.10    |   KDJ11-AA         |   RD52     ZRQCB1
      ---------------> +------------------> +----------> ------>
                       |                    |   RD53
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51    
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   KDJ11-BA         |   RD52     ZRQCB1
                       +------------------> +----------> ------>
                       |                    |   RD53
                       |                    +---------->
                       |
                       |
                       |                        RD51 
                       |                    +---------->
                       |   MicroVAX  II     |   RD52     MDM 1.08
                       +------------------> +----------> -------->
                                            |   RD53
                                            +---------->







                                  412

