CHARON-TB, the toolbox for bespoke PDP-11 and VAX systems virtualization

CHARON-TB is a software application running on 32-bit Windows and providing a hardware abstraction layer for both VAX and PDP-11. The hardware abstraction allows the unmodified binary VAX or PDP-11 code - the operating system and the applications - to run as before. CHARON-TB directly executes binary VAX or PDP-11 instructions and does not require the source code or a code conversion process.

CHARON-TB is a "Toolbox" designed to replace legacy systems that are based on PDP-11 or VAX CPUs and that may include legacy parts or non-standard hardware and peripherals. Typical examples are embedded systems, industrial process control systems or military systems. For this purpose, CHARON-TB is designed for the development of additional virtual system components. The "core" of CHARON-TB contains sufficient peripheral devices to create a basic virtual UNIbus or Qbus PDP-11 or a VAX system. In addition to the core, CHARON-TB contains a set of tools to develop additional virtual peripheral components. Such additional components created using CHARON-TB's tools can be used either with CHARON-TB or with other CHARON-VAX products of the same VAX architecture. They can be made to lock on a specific CHARON license key number, allowing third parties to develop and sell custom device virtualizations.

CHARON-TB diagram

For a referral list of third-party peripheral components, please see the corresponding menu entry on the left side. This list is provided for information purposes only. Please note that Stromasys' warranty and GOLD and PLATINUM support for CHARON-TB is limited to the “core” part of the product.

CHARON-TB is sold exclusively via our authorized partners, of which you can find a list here. The third-party components are sold by their owners.

Benefits

  • Proven and robust CHARON architecture and technology for an accurate and stable virtualization of the hardware
  • Core product already capable of supporting sufficient peripheral devices to create a basic virtual UNIbus or Qbus PDP-11 or VAX system
  • Possibility to create one’s own virtual components
  • Possibility to license one’s own virtual components on further CHARON-VAX products or on CHARON-TB using CHARON’s license protection mechanism
  • Rapid implementation on industry-standard hardware
  • Replaces old hardware and reduces cost of ownership
  • Preserves the current application investments