Sonotone 16T AF

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The Sonotone 16T AF is a 16-computer time-sharing system introduced by Sonotone Corporation in the 1970s. It was a predecessor to the popular Sonnet computer series, and it was designed as an affordable, sophisticated time-sharing solution for small to medium-sized businesses.The Sonotone 16T AF featured a CPU running at a clock speed of 1 MHz, 16 KB of main memory (expandable to 64 KB), and a tape storage unit that could hold up to 1 MB of data. The system also included a built-in minicomputer-compatible interface that allowed easy connection to other peripherals, such as printers, terminals, and magnetic tape drives.The Sonotone 16T AF was notable for its use of a custom-designed microprocessor, which was developed by Sonotone specifically for this system. This chip, known as the Special Sonotone Machine (SSM), was much smaller and less expensive than its competitors, making it a more cost-effective alternative for small businesses.The Sonotone 16T AF ran under the company's proprietary operating system, known as SONICS, which supported multiple simultaneous users through time-sharing technology. Additionally, the system included a variety of high-level programming languages, such as FORTRAN, COBOL, and BASIC, making it easy for users to create and run their own applications.Overall, the Sonotone 16T AF represented a significant advancement in both performance and affordability, paving the way for future Sonotone and Sonnet computer systems that would continue to be reliable and cost-effective solutions for small to medium-sized businesses.