Millimicrosecond Magnetic Switching and Storage Element

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Abstract
A magnetic rod suitable for performing the logical switching and storage functions required in a digital computer has been developed. The magnetic element consists of a silver‐coated glass rod upon which is electroplated a Fe‐Ni alloy several thousand angstroms thick. A single element for a coincident‐current memory requiring two inputs, an inhibit winding, and a sense winding would consist of four separate single layer concentric solenoids wound over the magnetic rod. Memory matrices, each consisting of many solenoids, can be stacked and simultaneously threaded with the rod. The switching speed of the element operating in a coincident‐current mode is approximately 70 mμsec. The output voltage generated across a ten‐turn sense winding is 200 to 500 mv depending upon the alloy thickness. The rod is also suitable as a multi‐input logical switch. Separate inhibiting windings wound over the rod perform the NOR function of its input literals. A total of thirty separate inhibiting windings have been demonstrated in the laboratory. Satisfactory operation in the 2‐ to 5‐Mc range using transistors in conjunction with the rod has been shown to be practical. Continuous plating and testing in conjunction with automatic machine winding techniques make the rod appear economically attractive in digital computer applications.

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