There were about 950 computers delivered with the basic 18 bit architecture - not counting any commercial 418 series computers. The basic Instruction Set Architecture for this series came from the Computer Unit Tester (CUT), a laboratory unit initially assembled using printed circuit cards from the CP-642A. Manufacturing test engineers need to be able to test the interfaces of peripheral devices with a variety of word lengths; the 1100 series 36 bit machines down to the 6 bit 1232 I/O Console. The CUT characteristics were 18 bit instruction, 8 microsecond 16k word core memory, eight duplexed I/O channels - Type A per DS4772 (-15v) with a rate of 62.5 Kwords per second. The unit cabinet took 25.5 cu. ft, weighed 900 lbs, and consumed 1000 watts. [written by Lowell with inputs from Don Mager.]
3.1 The 1218 (CP-789) became the core of the Navy's on board Management Information System to keep track of all the logistics such as ammunition, foodstuffs, etc. A variation with more memory was designated the AN/UYK-5 (Moonbeam) that used special software to provide on ship logistic management. [lab]
1218 Characteristics - project start October 1962:
18 bit word size, memory capacity from 4k words to 32k words with a 4 microsecond cycle time. Data size was either 18 or 36 bits [i.e. dual word] There were 98 instructions with a basic add time of 8 microseconds. A maximum of 8 I/O channels with -15V interface were available.
AN/UYK-5 ( ) A version of the 1218 was sold to the USMC for their 'Landing Approach System-3', the first delivery was Oct. 23, 1965. [lab]
UNIVAC Type U1500 system - Based on the Univac 418 design, the 1218 came with COBOL, very necessary for the software development. This system used for inventory control was developed for the AFS-1 through -7, the MARS Class Combat Stores Ships. John Markfelder, Univac headquarters marketing, Skip Wren in D.C. were the primary customer contacts. The system consisted of the 1218, a 1232 paper tape and typewriter unit, the 1240 magnetic tape unit, and the Card Reader, Punch Interpreter (CRPI) unit. The CRPI was the 'old' John Bull taper pin punch/reader which had previously been used with the Mod 0 file computer. Base on user feedback, the unit should have been called CRP because the I portion didn't work very well. [Lyle Franklin]
Hi Lowell: I was the program manager at DCS/Air at HQ-MC responsible for introducint the U-1500 into all Marine Air groups. After I retired from the USMC, I assisted John Markfelder in the UNIVAC deliveries to the Marines as well as responding to their customer problems world wide. [Earl Lillestrand]
3.2 The 1219B (CP-848) became the base computer for TARTAR, TALOS, and TERRIER missile launching from ship installations. These units required a motor generator for power. [lab]
1219B Characteristics - project start July 1967:
18 bit word size, memory capacity from 32k words to 65k words with a 2 microsecond cycle time. Data size was either 18 or 36 bits [i.e. dual word] There were 102 instructions with a basic add time of 2 microseconds. A maximum of 16 I/O channels with -15V or -3v interfaces available in four channel groups. First delivery was March 1968. [lab]
1219C
As the first CP-890 was in initial debug and test, a small team put together a proposal to use the card and cabinet packaging style with a 1 microsecond memory to develop a next generation 18 bit computer, tenatively to be identified as the UNIVAC type 1236 (1219C). The target market was the Sea Sparrow, to be bid exclusively with Sperry to Navord. The characteristics were to be either 15.1 or 11.6 cu. ft, 900 or 550 lbs, 2330 or 925 watts depending up the 131k memory or 32k memory capacity. Lyle Franklin of Marketing, Ernie Lantto of Engineering, and Curt Christensen of Program Management were the principals of this proposal. Raytheon won that competition. As part of the debriefing, Lyle Franklin told NAVORD: 'Perhaps I'll come back with a 16-bit computer proposal.' A prophecy which came true a year later when the 1616/UYK-15 was proposed for the ITT Gillfilian 'Fog Cutter' application. [Item written by Lowell with inputs from Lyle Franklin and Curt Christensen.]
3.3 1818/ILAAS was an airborne version of the 1219 using mechanical technologies from the CP-823 30 bit computer. The characteristics were a 2 microsecond memory in 4k to 32k words. This unit had only 27 instructions with 3 index registers mapped onto core addresses. It also had just 9 interrupts and 1 Real time clock. It had an Assembler and Utility Package. Project start was March 1966, first delivery in May 1967. [lab]
3.3 The CP-914, 1819 was another airborne versions of the 1219 - using Alex Trumble Relay (ATR) chassis mechanical packaging. These units had a 2 microsecond memory, three index registers and a real time clock. Two of these units were sold to Sperry Flight Systems, the first delivered July 2nd of 1973. Project start was August 1968, first delivery in February 1969.[lab]