Sanders Associates 720
| Sanders Associates 720 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sanders Associates |
| Model | 720 |
| Lifetime | |
| Introduced | March, 1967 |
| Communication | |
| Interfaces |
RS-232, 20 mA current loop |
| Baud Rates | 110-2400 |
| Display | |
| Size | 12-inch |
| Phosphor | P31 |
| Character Modes | |
| Resolution | 80 x 24 characters |
| Matrix | 5 x 7 dot matrix |
| Graphic Modes | |
| Type | Monochrome |
The Sanders 720 Data Display System was a solid-state, alphanumeric cathode-ray tube terminal introduced in March 1967 by Sanders Associates.[1] It formed part of the company's 600-series data communications equipment and was intended for interactive access to time-sharing, message switching, and data processing systems.[2]
The 720 was positioned as a higher-speed alternative to electromechanical teleprinters, providing immediate visual display of transmitted and received data. Product literature emphasized its suitability for banking, airline reservations, industrial control, and military information systems.[3]
Architecture and display
The 720 employed a 12-inch CRT using P31 phosphor and displayed up to 80 characters per line across 24 lines of text.[1] Characters were formed from a 5 x 7 dot matrix stored in read-only memory and regenerated continuously from a recirculating memory synchronized with the raster scan.[1]
The display electronics were fully transistorized and implemented on modular plug-in circuit cards to simplify field servicing.[1] Character codes received from the communications interface were written into the display memory, decoded into dot patterns, and serialized for presentation in synchronism with horizontal and vertical deflection signals.[1]
Communications
The 720 supported asynchronous serial transmission using either 20 mA current loop or EIA RS-232 electrical interfaces.[2] Standard data rates ranged from 110 to 2400 bits per second, depending on configuration and associated modem equipment.[2]
Keyboard input provided a full alphanumeric character set together with control functions appropriate to contemporary time-sharing systems. Optional features included parity generation and checking and selectable character formats to accommodate differing host system requirements.[3]
System integration
Sanders marketed the 720 in conjunction with the related 620 system and other communications components, offering integrated configurations in which multiple display stations could be connected to a central processor through concentrators or communications controllers.[2] The November 1968 brochure described the 620-720 family as modular building blocks for distributed data communications installations.[2]
Manx
- Sanders 720 Data Display System A Technical Description, March, 1967
- Sanders 720 Data Display System A Product Description, May, 1969
- 620-720 Data Communications Systems, November, 1968
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Sanders 720 Data Display System A Technical Description". Sanders Associates. March 1967. https://bitsavers.org/pdf/sanders/720/Sanders_720_Data_Display_System_Technical_Description_Mar67.pdf. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "620-720 Data Communications Systems". Sanders Associates. November 1968. https://bitsavers.org/pdf/sanders/620_720/620-720_Data_Communications_Systems_Nov68.pdf. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Sanders 720 Data Display System A Product Description". Sanders Associates. May 1969. https://bitsavers.org/pdf/sanders/720/Sanders_720_Data_Display_System_Product_Description_May69.pdf. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
