Robotron K 1820

You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in German. (August 2020) Click [show] for important translation instructions. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 2,136 articles in the main category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing German Wikipedia article at [[:de:K 1820]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template {{Translated|de|K 1820}} to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (August 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

The K 1820, full name RVS K 1820 (Rechnersystem mit virtuellem Speicher, "computer system with virtual memory"), cipher in the SM EVM of the former COMECON countries SM 1720, is a workstation developed in East Germany. VEB Robotron Elektronik Dresden began development of the K 1820 in 1986 and it went into serial production in 1990.

The K 1820 is a clone of the MicroVAX II made by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). The import of western 32-bit computers to the COMECON area was impeded by the CoCom technology embargo. As the MicroVAX II CPU is one of the first semiconductor devices which was protected by the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984, independent development of modern CAD technology based on a 32-bit computer architecture began. Copies of the MicroVAX II were also created in Hungary (MicroSTAR 32 or TPA-11/510) ^[1] and the Soviet Union (SМ 1702).^[2]

The K 1820 extends the VAX-compatible computer line in the SM EVM and the models of the K 1820 achieve approximately 90% of the performance of the K 1840 (Robotron "RVS K 1840", compatible with the VAX 11/780). The K 1820 is fully compatible with K 1840 software, so preexisting system and application software can be used.

The K 1820 is based on the VLSI U80700-microprocessor system, its 32-bit CPU U80701 was developed according to the MicroVAX 78032. The mainboard design and construction are original. A VT220-compatible terminal, the K 8941, was developed for the machine.

Approximately 10 K 1820 prototypes were built up to 1990. In the middle of 1990 development was stopped, because economic production was not possible under free-market conditions after the monetary, economic and social union between East and West Germany on 1 July 1990. Subsequent to this Robotron's traditional markets in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe collapsed.

At least one prototype of the K 1820 is owned by the Technische Sammlungen Museum.

• Dieter Walter: History of the VEB Robotron Elektronik Dresden; PDF in German language
• Claus Preussler, Klaus-Dieter Weise: Compilation of Robotron computer products; PDF in German language
• User's manual K 1821/K 1822; VEB Robotron Elektronik Dresden, November, 1989; PDF in German language
• Technical manual ZVE KAC20; VEB Robotron Elektronik Dresden, December, 1989; PDF in German language

• History of the combine Robotron in German language
• Technical Collections Dresden
• www.robotrontechnik.de
• Versions of K 1822 computer cases
• Block diagram ZVE KAC20