HP-41C

The HP -41C and the HP- 41CV models developed and CX were programmable calculators by Hewlett -Packard. The first model of the 41er series was launched in 1979, ended in 1990, production of the series. The computers developed in spite of their relatively high prices (from 750 DM, according to today's purchasing power about 840 Euros ) quickly become an essential tool for scientists, engineers and students. They offered alongside extensive programming and expansion opportunities, especially as the first device of this type an alphanumeric display with energy saving compared to the then usual LED indicators liquid crystals.

The calculators were also modular and expandable with additional Daten-/Programmspeicher, program modules, and various peripheral devices such as magnetic stripe reader, a special reader for barcodes to read programs and data, printers and tape drive. The later models HP- 41CV and HP- 41CX were better equipped and also lend themselves to automatic control and data acquisition for smaller laboratory experiments through the IEC bus, which was often used. The three models differed in appearance only in small details and the model designation, especially the key assignment and its label were identical.

Key differentiators over the competition by Texas Instruments ( specifically the TI- 59) and compared with Casio devices were the great expansion options and the HP typical input by means of reverse Polish notation.

Successors were functionally very similar to the HP-42S and the much more advanced models HP -28 and HP- 48th

  • 9.1 Technical specifications of the HP -42S

Operation

The HP -41C was the first pocket calculator with programmable keys. Since the abundance of functions could not be meaningfully placed on the keyboard, the following three-step approach was used:

  • In standard mode, each key has only two functions. For a Shift or Shift key was sufficient.
  • Other functions can be called by entering the function name. For this, the keyboard in the alpha mode is switched, so that each letter of the alphabet can be entered ( plus some special characters).
  • In a separate "User" mode, the user can assign these functions to each key. This enables it to the commands which he often takes place on the keyboard.

Partial Expansion modules templates are included as keyboard overlays. The alphanumeric capabilities can also be used for programming ( in FOCAL ), so that inputs and outputs can be commented on in plain text.

Functions

The functionality in the base version lagged behind the top models of the precursor series. So there was no hyperbolic or Kombinatorikbefehle and no solver, but this was offset by the expansion modules, or through the programming options. On the other hand, allowed the character representation of a significant gain in comfort, in order to supplement textual eg inputs and outputs. An interesting extension experienced the stack concept, which is now (also with memory arithmetic ) allowed by accesses directly to the stack register considerably more flexible manipulation. The possibility of indexed addressing had been greatly expanded.

"Synthetic Programming"

By using undocumented command sequences, it was possible to directly access system registers of the calculator. So you could take advantage of additional features, which led for example to smaller or faster programs for displaying normally unsupported special characters in the display, for groupwise manipulation of flags or use additional string functions. This approach, of course, appropriate care required ( eg, there are therefore also the option to delete the entire memory of the calculator ), was called synthetic programming. The term goes back to the title of a book by the American William C. Wickes ( developer at HP for calculator), who described the first functions in a book and applications presented. This type of advanced programming resulted in numerous calculators clubs that formed in the 1980s (eg CCD - Computer Club Germany with the club magazine prism) to significant enhancements of functionality.

Individual development projects went this further and programmed the HP -41 at the level of machine language, developed to your own modules or external memory.

Other features

The HP -41 series models were with minor modifications of the standard equipment of the U.S. space shuttle spacecraft. They served as a calculator for the crew and were fitted with among other things software to support navigation, for the determination of radio shadow and distribution of ballast. The later for the HP-41C/CV offered and the HP - 41CX integrated Time Module included a real-time clock and was developed at the request of NASA. Thus, the computer always had the current time. There was also a stopwatch mode, and you could make programs run at specified times. With the HP -41 expiry of the computer in the shuttle was replaced by the HP -48.

The HP -41C was released only a few months after the HP- 34C and was sold in parallel to this, but had, despite its significantly higher price in the base configuration less functionality than this. He was, however, considerably more versatile, especially through its alpha numeric skills, and let prosper, so that buyers met according to their requirements, the choice between one or the other model. Analogously, the same was true a few years later for the HP-41CV/CX and the HP -15C.

Specifications

  • Classification: Scientific Calculator
  • CPU: HP CMOS SOS groove ( 360 kHz clock rate )
  • FPU: none - BCD arithmetic
  • ROM: 12 KiB
  • RAM 41C: 445 bytes (expandable to 2237 )
  • 41CV/CX: 2237 bytes (convertible into 0-319 data register à 7 bytes corresponding max 7 program steps, the " 320 Register" is available only for program steps because 3 bytes are blocked by the permanent end. statement.. ) ( Not expandable )
  • 41CX: 868 bytes more (124 tab ) Extended Memory ( expandable up to 4200 bytes / 600 register)
  • HP -41C: Initially, 750 DM, taking into account the purchasing power of change comparable euro price today would be about 840 euros, later the price dropped in 1982, it stood at about DM 600
  • HP- 41CV: List Price initially 1,300 DM (1983 ), corresponding to a decreased price by today's purchasing power of about 1,180 euros, later the price significantly

Extensions

The plug-in system allows you to connect a variety of peripherals. Among these are:

Card reader 82104A

The card reader allows you to write programs or data on magnetic cards and read these again, analogous to a floppy disk drive. The cards were identical almost completely compatible with those of HP -97 and HP -67 and with this, the ROM of the reader put the missing functions. The cards feature two strips of 16 registers ( 112 bytes ) capacity that can be individually protected against overwriting. The card reader is attached directly to the computer and is therefore mandatory port 4

Time module 82182A

This module ( in the HP- 41CX permanently installed) contains a real time clock. It can be used as a stopwatch and allows the automatic startup of programs at preset times, as well as the audible alarm.

Thermal printer 82143A

The printer can print up to 24 characters next to each other to print on thermal paper and limited graphics capability It is powered from its own power supply (the data have to be processed but expensive. ); for the independent operation was contained a battery.

Barcode reader "Optical wall " 82153A

The wand in the form of a thick pen can transfer the HP bar codes (Type 2 /5 with proprietary content ) in the memory of the computer. The data can represent programs (normal or PRIVATE protected from inspection ), data ( numbers or letters ) or individual keystrokes ( Direct Execution codes). A line bar code consists of up to 16 bytes. The first byte is a checksum calculated from the following 15 bytes according to the formula ( [ sum of all bytes ] MOD 255 ) for all types. The second byte characterizes the type of the barcode. Programs can consist of several lines, there is 16 [ serial number of the row] - 1 (programs) or 32 [ serial number of the row] - 1 ( PRIVATE programs ). The third byte indicates whether the previous barcode line begun a function and append bytes in this line (eg, text). Key commands bear in byte 2 a 64

At the lower end of the pin there is a button which turns on the LED. The barcode reader is powered by the HP -41C with electricity. This convenient form of data entry has been much used.

The Advanced Features Module 82180A

This built- in HP - 41CX module extends the capabilities of the computer to send commands to the memory remapping, to advanced string manipulation, and allows the use of " extended memory ", can be accessed like a hard drive. The module contains 124 registers, which can be expanded up to 600 registers and then cover with the 319 registers of the main memory almost the entire addressable memory space. This extension is done ( possible up to 2) memory expansion modules 82181A.

The HP Interface Loop module HP82160A

Pictures

HP 82104A magnetic card reader / recorder

HP -IL Interface Module

Thermal printer HP82162A ( HP- IL connector)

HP82161A tape drive with data cartridge ( HP- IL connector)

HP 82163B - Video Interface ( with HP -IL connector)

Interface Loop with thermal printer HP82162A (front left) and tape drive HP82161A (left rear) and an HP- 41CX

Expansion slots in the HP- 41CX

HP82242A IR interface for connecting to a thermal printer

HP 82106A memory expansion for the HP -41C

X Memory Module HP82181A ( memory expansion)

Statistics module

HP battery pack for the HP- 41CX with bad NiCd cells (original)

HP82120A Battery Pack for the HP - 41CX ( the original NiCd cells are replaced with NiMH cells)

Emulators

The equipment uses, unusual for pocket calculators, even over 20 years after the cessation of production a large following. This has led to the emulator programs are available for a variety of operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS X, Unix variants, Pocket PC, Palm OS, Apple iOS and Android. The available for the iPhone emulator it includes special features, for example, via ( shared by the user) iOS System Views the location, elevation, compass direction do (from the iPhone 3GS ) and accelerations of the equipment available (via the built-in 3D accelerometer) within the HP -41 emulator.

HP -42S

With the expiry of the HP -41 brought Hewlett -Packard next to the HP -48 as the next stage of development with the HP- 42S an immediate successors in the market, which could run programs the HP -41 devices with the almost same instruction set. The 42S was able to control a printer via the built-in IR diode, otherwise there was no peripheral devices. The computer has a two-line LC - matrix display, in the lower half of menus will appear, which allow access to the comprehensive function library. This menu allows the buttons to perform only two functions. The display also allows for a - albeit modest - graphic representation. Housing form and the supply of three button cell match those of the computer HP -32S, HP- 32SII, HP -20S and other.

Specifications of the HP -42S

  • Classification: Scientific Calculator
  • CPU: CMOS " Saturn"
  • FPU: none - BCD arithmetic
  • ROM: 64 KiB
  • RAM: 7.2 KiB
  • Keys: 37 Shift
  • Display: Monochrome LCD matrix display with 131 × 16 pixels ( 2 lines of 22 characters)
  • Printer: Optional ( thermal printer via IR )
  • Dimensions: length 14.8 cm, width 7.9 cm, height 1.4 cm
  • Introduction: October 31, 1988 / Setting: 1995
Hewlett-Packard Deutsche Mark HP-28 series HP-48 series FOCAL (HP-41) HP-34C Read-only memory HP-67/-97 HP-IL Android (operating system)
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