Ersatz-11 uses a device-independent interface to attach any supported terminal device type as the physical side of any supported PDP-11 terminal device type. Each line is created using a one-line ASSIGN command in the E11.INI initialization text file. SET commands may be used to modify the port type, CSR/vector addresses, and interrupt priority, but in many cases this is not necessary thanks to E11's sophisticated rules for choosing default values for these parameters, which include automatic computation of "floating" CSR and vector addresses. Terminal port emulation is done on a line-by-line basis, so it is possible to mix and match any combination of physical terminal lines within the same emulated multiplexor.
The DOS/Windows versions of E11 include emulation of the VT11 vector graphics processor, monitor, and light pen. This is included mainly for hobby users, to run the famous lunar lander game.
Any two or more of the above port types may be combined and connected to the same emulated PDP-11 port, with output copied to all, and all input merged
dev name | controller types | description | E11 versions |
---|---|---|---|
LP: | LP11, LPV11 | line printer ports | all |
TT: | DL11, DLV11 | serial line units | all |
VR: | VT30 | raster graphics display | all DOS |
VT: | VT11 | vector graphics scope | all DOS |
YH: | DH11 | early DMA mux | full |
YJ: | DJ11 | early programmed I/O mux | full |
YM: | DM11BB | modem control option for DH11 | full |
YV: | DHU11, DHQ11, DHV11, etc. | microcomputer-based DMA mux | full |
YZ: | DZ11, DZQ11, DZV11 | programmed I/O mux | all (as of V3.1) |