Uknc

UKNC

Type	Study and research computer
Release date	1987
Operating system	RAFOS, FODOS, RT-11
CPU	2 × KM1801VM2
Memory	RAM 192 KB, ROM 32 KB

UKNC (Russian: УКНЦ) was a Soviet PDP-11-compatible educational computer, aimed at teaching school informatics courses. It is also known as Elektronika MS-0511. UKNC stands for Educational Computer by Scientific Centre.

1 Hardware
2 Software
3 See also
4 External links

Hardware [link]

CPU: KM1801VM2 @ 8 MHz
Peripheral processor: KM1801VM2 @ 6 MHz (in newer models; or 4 MHz in early models, according to documentation)
CPU RAM: 64 KB
PPU RAM: 32 KB, ROM: 32 KB, video RAM: 96 KB (3 planes 32KB each, each 3-bit pixel had a bit in each plane)
Keyboard: 88 keys
built-in LAN controller
built-in controller for special tape-recorder with computer control (to use for data storage, usually 5-inch FDD's were used)

One unique part of the design is the usage of a peripheral processing unit (PPU). UKNC did not have full-featured controllers for display, LAN, keyboard, clock, in-hardware debugger etc. Instead, the PPU configured peripheral devices and managed their events. In other words, the PPU simulated all the controllers.

The computer was released in 3 sub-models: 0511, 0511.1, 0511.2. The 0511.1 model, intended for home use, had a power supply for 220V AC, while others utilized 42V AC. The 0511.2 featured new firmware with extended functionality and changed the marking of the keyboard's gray keys, compared to the initial version. The photo shows an 0511.2 variant.

There was no active cooling, and at least the 0511.2 variant tended to overheat and halt after several hours of operation.

The case and keyboard (with changed markings) were re-used to produce an IBM PC clone, though less well-known than the once famous Poisk computer.