Digico Limited

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    Digico Limited
    IndustryComputer hardware
    Founded1965
    FoundersKeith Trickett and Avo Hiiemae
    Headquarters
    Stevenage
    ,
    United Kingdom
    Key people
    		Eric Lubbock (chairman)
    Productsdata loggers, minicomputers

    Digico was a British computer company founded in 1965 by Keith Trickett and Avo Hiiemae, two ex-ICL electronics engineers. Former MP Eric Lubbock was chairman from 1969 to 1983.[1] The company was based in Letchworth initially, moving to a new factory in Stevenage in 1973[2] and employing about 90 staff.[3]

    Digico's first product was a laboratory data-logging and spectrum analyser hardware system named DIGIAC. This product had been developed before Digico was formed, so was an immediate source of income.[1] Digico soon developed a 16-bit minicomputer series, the Micro 16, for which it was best known for.[4]

    Circa 1982, Digico started manufacturing a networked CP/M based microcomputer system with business software options, named Digico Prince.

    Digico Micro 16

    [edit]

    Digico quickly started developing a general purpose 16-bit minicomputer, the Micro 16, which became available in 1966. Digico was assisted by the Ministry of Technology and the National Research Development Corporation in this development.[1][2][5] The first version produced was the Digico Micro 16S (1968), followed by the 16P (1970), then the 16V in 1972.[4][6]

    Example applications
    available for Micro 16V[7]
    Animal feed mix control
    Car park control
    Census analysis
    Electroencephalography
    Gas chromatography
    ICL 1900 front ending
    Invoicing
    Machine tool control
    Mass spectrometry
    Stock control
    Typesetting

    The Digico Micro 16V had a standard memory of 4k words with 950 nano second cycle time, expandable to 64k words, and able to support up to 64 external interfaces. It had an optional microprogrammed floating-point unit.[7] The Micro 16V was supported by a simple and flexibly sized executive that could optionally support multiprogramming, disc files and teletypes.[8] The Micro 16V used semiconductor memory, rather than magnetic-core memory as in the previous models.[9]

    The instruction set architecture is single accumulator based with instructions generally having a consistent 12-bit address field. A direct address thus limits memory size to 4k (4096) words in the current selected memory region, named a "stack". Three instructions (load, store, add) permit indirect addressing where the direct address contains the 16-bit address of the operand. A carry register supports multi-word arithmetic; there is no integer multiply or divide instruction. One instruction uses the address field to specify a variety of non-addressing sub-instructions such as shift, carry manipulation and input-output. Floating-point arithmetic is handled by software or an optional floating-point unit with its own registers that can work in 32, 48 or 80-bit modes.[7]

    Digico primarily sold into the data logging market until 1969, when it expanded into areas like process control, stock control and front-end processors for the ICL 1900 mainframe.[1][10] In 1974 Digico had a turnover of over £1 million (equivalent to £13 million in 2023) and in 1977 well over £1 million.[11][12]

    In 1978 the Digico Micro 16E stackable minicomputer, which was well suited to an office environment, won a Design Council Award for Engineering Products.[13][14]

    Digico Prince

    [edit]

    Circa 1982, Digico started manufacturing a CP/M based microcomputer with business software options, named Digico Prince, with a unique seven year maintenance guarantee.[15][16]

    A more sophisticated multi-user Digico Prince II system was also available. The Digico 3800 user terminal had three Zilog Z80A processors, 64 kilo-bytes of memory and optionally two floppy disk drives. Up to three Digico 3800s could be connected to a 3810, 3820 or 3830 master workstation with a shared 5 MB Winchester disk drive. Up to 32 of these clusters could further be connected locally or remotely to a Digico 7800 server based on a Digico Micro 16E, providing more shared disc capacity and remote access to IBM, ICL and Honeywell mainframe computers.[17]

    See also

    [edit]

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ a b c d Hamilton, Ross (June 1997). Continuous Path: The Evolution of ProcesControl Technologies in Post-War Britain (PDF). Department of Computer Science (Thesis). University of Warwick. pp. 116, 120, 126. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
    2. ^ a b "Rugged simplicity pays off in mini computer sales". New Scientist. 10 May 1973. p. 342. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
    3. ^ "About Digico". digico working group. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013.
    4. ^ a b "Digico Hardware". digico working group. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013.
    5. ^ "NRDC backs low-cost computer". Electronics & Power. 14 (2): 81. February 1968. doi:10.1049/ep.1968.0080. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
    6. ^ Searle, Nigel (20 September 1973). "Computer problem-solver". New Scientist. p. 702. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
    7. ^ a b c micro 16v computer manual (PDF) (Report). Digico Limited. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
    8. ^ Digico Micro 16V Executive data sheet (pdf) (Report). Digico Limited. SA-5301-0-1. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
    9. ^ "Current Projects". digico working group. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013.
    10. ^ "Small machine at the front". New Scientist. 23 September 1971. p. 688. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
    11. ^ "Minicomputer manufacturers in Britain". New Scientist. 6 June 1974. p. 602. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
    12. ^ Eiloart, Tim (2 February 1978). "Progress chaser". New Scientist. p. 292. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
    13. ^ "Micro 16E". Design Council Slide Collection. 1978. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
    14. ^ "search - Micro 16E". Design Council Slide Collection. 1978. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
    15. ^ "The Prince — a micro computer that offers you everything" (PDF). Personal Computer World. 5 (3): 79. March 1982. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
    16. ^ "Digico 16V Computer Manuals". The ICL Computer Museum. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
    17. ^ "Multimicro Might" (PDF). International/OEM Edition. Datamation. February 1983. pp. 176·35–176·36. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
    [edit]
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Digico_Limited&oldid=1330802917"

      Digico Limited
      IndustryComputer hardware
      Founded1965
      FoundersKeith Trickett and Avo Hiiemae
      Headquarters
      Stevenage
      ,
      United Kingdom
      Key people
      		Eric Lubbock (chairman)
      Productsdata loggers, minicomputers

      Digico was a British computer company founded in 1965 by Keith Trickett and Avo Hiiemae, two ex-ICL electronics engineers. Former MP Eric Lubbock was chairman from 1969 to 1983.[1] The company was based in Letchworth initially, moving to a new factory in Stevenage in 1973[2] and employing about 90 staff.[3]

      Digico's first product was a laboratory data-logging and spectrum analyser hardware system named DIGIAC. This product had been developed before Digico was formed, so was an immediate source of income.[1] Digico soon developed a 16-bit minicomputer series, the Micro 16, for which it was best known for.[4]

      Circa 1982, Digico started manufacturing a networked CP/M based microcomputer system with business software options, named Digico Prince.

      Digico Micro 16

      Digico quickly started developing a general purpose 16-bit minicomputer, the Micro 16, which became available in 1966. Digico was assisted by the Ministry of Technology and the National Research Development Corporation in this development.[1][2][5] The first version produced was the Digico Micro 16S (1968), followed by the 16P (1970), then the 16V in 1972.[4][6]

      Example applications
      available for Micro 16V[7]
      Animal feed mix control
      Car park control
      Census analysis
      Electroencephalography
      Gas chromatography
      ICL 1900 front ending
      Invoicing
      Machine tool control
      Mass spectrometry
      Stock control
      Typesetting

      The Digico Micro 16V had a standard memory of 4k words with 950 nano second cycle time, expandable to 64k words, and able to support up to 64 external interfaces. It had an optional microprogrammed floating-point unit.[7] The Micro 16V was supported by a simple and flexibly sized executive that could optionally support multiprogramming, disc files and teletypes.[8] The Micro 16V used semiconductor memory, rather than magnetic-core memory as in the previous models.[9]

      The instruction set architecture is single accumulator based with instructions generally having a consistent 12-bit address field. A direct address thus limits memory size to 4k (4096) words in the current selected memory region, named a "stack". Three instructions (load, store, add) permit indirect addressing where the direct address contains the 16-bit address of the operand. A carry register supports multi-word arithmetic; there is no integer multiply or divide instruction. One instruction uses the address field to specify a variety of non-addressing sub-instructions such as shift, carry manipulation and input-output. Floating-point arithmetic is handled by software or an optional floating-point unit with its own registers that can work in 32, 48 or 80-bit modes.[7]

      Digico primarily sold into the data logging market until 1969, when it expanded into areas like process control, stock control and front-end processors for the ICL 1900 mainframe.[1][10] In 1974 Digico had a turnover of over £1 million (equivalent to £13 million in 2023) and in 1977 well over £1 million.[11][12]

      In 1978 the Digico Micro 16E stackable minicomputer, which was well suited to an office environment, won a Design Council Award for Engineering Products.[13][14]

      Digico Prince

      Circa 1982, Digico started manufacturing a CP/M based microcomputer with business software options, named Digico Prince, with a unique seven year maintenance guarantee.[15][16]

      A more sophisticated multi-user Digico Prince II system was also available. The Digico 3800 user terminal had three Zilog Z80A processors, 64 kilo-bytes of memory and optionally two floppy disk drives. Up to three Digico 3800s could be connected to a 3810, 3820 or 3830 master workstation with a shared 5 MB Winchester disk drive. Up to 32 of these clusters could further be connected locally or remotely to a Digico 7800 server based on a Digico Micro 16E, providing more shared disc capacity and remote access to IBM, ICL and Honeywell mainframe computers.[17]

      See also

      References

      1. ^ a b c d Hamilton, Ross (June 1997). Continuous Path: The Evolution of ProcesControl Technologies in Post-War Britain (PDF). Department of Computer Science (Thesis). University of Warwick. pp. 116, 120, 126. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
      2. ^ a b "Rugged simplicity pays off in mini computer sales". New Scientist. 10 May 1973. p. 342. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
      3. ^ "About Digico". digico working group. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013.
      4. ^ a b "Digico Hardware". digico working group. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013.
      5. ^ "NRDC backs low-cost computer". Electronics & Power. 14 (2): 81. February 1968. doi:10.1049/ep.1968.0080. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
      6. ^ Searle, Nigel (20 September 1973). "Computer problem-solver". New Scientist. p. 702. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
      7. ^ a b c micro 16v computer manual (PDF) (Report). Digico Limited. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
      8. ^ Digico Micro 16V Executive data sheet (pdf) (Report). Digico Limited. SA-5301-0-1. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
      9. ^ "Current Projects". digico working group. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013.
      10. ^ "Small machine at the front". New Scientist. 23 September 1971. p. 688. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
      11. ^ "Minicomputer manufacturers in Britain". New Scientist. 6 June 1974. p. 602. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
      12. ^ Eiloart, Tim (2 February 1978). "Progress chaser". New Scientist. p. 292. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
      13. ^ "Micro 16E". Design Council Slide Collection. 1978. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
      14. ^ "search - Micro 16E". Design Council Slide Collection. 1978. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
      15. ^ "The Prince — a micro computer that offers you everything" (PDF). Personal Computer World. 5 (3): 79. March 1982. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
      16. ^ "Digico 16V Computer Manuals". The ICL Computer Museum. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
      17. ^ "Multimicro Might" (PDF). International/OEM Edition. Datamation. February 1983. pp. 176·35–176·36. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
      • Digico Micro 16V, Time-Line Computer Archive (with extensive photos)
      • "Digico Micro 16-P minicomputer S/n 7103". Collection. Science Museum Group. 1996-284.
      Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Digico_Limited&oldid=1330802917"