Univac panel and mystery TTL chips

[Joe R.]

At 04:18 PM 10/6/05 +0100, you wrote:
> 
>> No?  OK, time for plan B, reverse engineering it.  Most of the chips on
the 
>> panel are straightforward 74xxx TTL, however, a number of them appear to 
>> have a seven digit part number instead of a regular 74xxx stamp. Is
there a 
>
>A number of manufacturers used house-coded ICs like this. HP are the 
>best-known (the 1820-xxxx numbers), but ICL, Xerox and I believe IBM did 
>it too. The main reason for this, apparently was that any IC with that 
>house code would work in the circuit. So there might be one number for a 
>generic 7493 and another for a specifically TI 7493 (I think that's the 
>chip were the TI one has a slight difference to others). TO have the 
>house code simplified manufacturing.
>
>
>> translation guide between this seven digit number and regular 74xxx 
>> numbers?  Most of the 74xxx parts on the board also have these seven digit 
>> numbers.
>
>Well, with ICs marked with both, you can start to make the equivalents 
>list. If you are very lucky that will identify a few more ICs on the board.
>
>> 
>> Any tips on how to guess the actual function would be most appreciated.

   If they're TTL or CMOS SSI ICs I have an IC tester that will id unknown
ICs. It's not 100% perfect since a lot of ICs have very similar functions
but it'll get you close enough that you can figure out the pinout and it's
basic functions.


>
>Well, you can find the power connections, right? If you are lucky, there 
>will be a few ICs with odd power connections (i.e. not the corner pins) 
>which will be a start.
>
>Then you might be abloe to identify some pins as definite inputs (driven 
>from totem-pole outputs on known ICs), others as definite outputs (only 
>go to known inputs). 
>
>If all else fails you may have to desoler the IC, power it up on a 
>breadboard, find outputs with a logic probe, try the inputs, and so on.

   I used to have an article out of one of the electronics magazines that
told how to identify various pins on ICs using an ohm meter. Input pins,
output pins and power and ground pins all have different characteristics.
Unfortunatly I lost the article. Does anyone have any info on how to go
about doing this?

   But all in all I like Tony's Suggestion of looking for the parts with
dual markings and make a cross reference list. When you get done, post it
on the net to benefit everyone. Spere has a good start on HP and Tektronix
cross reference on their website.


    Joe

>
>-tony
>