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BRL 1961, OARAC, start page 0726
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OARAC
Office of Air Research Automatic Computer
MANUFACTURER
General Electric Company
APPLICATIONS
Scientific computation and analysis.
PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM
Internal number system Binary coded decimal
Decimal digits/word 10 + sign
Decimal digits/instruction 7
Instructions/word 1
Instructions decoded 21
Instructions used 21
Arithmetic system Variable fixed decimal point loca-
tion, can be set to any of 11 dig-
it positions initially. It must
remain at this location during any
given sequence of operations, in
order to obtain consistent results.
Instruction type Two address (The machine originally
was a one address machine). The
modification to a two address ma-
chine facilitated access to stor-
age and permitted execution of
special instructions with signifi-
cant savings in time.
Number range Variable + (1010 - 1)
Number system used is the 2*-4-2-1 system.
ARITHMETIC UNIT
Incl Stor Access Exclud Stor Access
Microsec Microsec
Add 400-17,000 91
Mult 10,000-26,000 800
Div 10,000-26,000 1,200
Construction
Vacuum tubes 400
Diodes 2,500
Basic pulse repetition rate 150 Kc/sec
Arithmetic mode Serial by character
Parallel by bits
Timing Synchronous
Operation Sequential
STORAGE
No. of No. of Access
Media Words Digits Microsec
Magnetic Drum 10,000 110,000 1,000-17,000
Magnetic Tape 7,200 per 1,200 ft.tape
INPUT
Media Speed
Magnetic Tape 1,000 words/min
Keyboard Manual
Keyboard is located on main control panel.
OUTPUT
Medium Speed
Magnetic Tape 1,000 words/min
Contents of tape translated by an off-line code
transcriber and typewriter.
CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM
Tubes 1,200
Tube types 12
Crystal diodes 7,000
Separate cabinets 2
Computer is housed in one cabinet and the magnetic drum is
housed in another cabinet.
CHECKING FEATURES
Exceed capacity
Unprogrammed stop
Wrong combination
Synchronized tape
Divide by zero
Product exceed capacity
Tape runout, power and cooling failure fault checks.
POWER, SPACE, WEIGHT, AND SITE. PREPARATION
Power, computer 23 KVA
Volume, computer 600 cu ft
Area, computer 80 sq ft
Weight, computer 6,000 lbs
Capacity, air conditioner 10 Tons
The two cabinets measure 15 by 2.5 by 7 ft. and 4 by 5 by
6 ft.
PRODUCTION RECORD
Number produced 1
This system was developed on a research and development
contract for the Air Force.
COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES
Approximate cost of basic system $185,000.
RELIABILITY, OPERATING EXPERIENCE,
AND TIME AVAILABILITY
Average error-free running period 15 Hours
Good time 13,686 Hours
Attempted to run time 16,733 Hours
Operating ratio (Good/Attempted to run time) 0.82
Above figures based on period from Apr 53 to Apr 56
Passed Customer Acceptance Test Apr 53
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BRL 1961, OARAC, start page 0727
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ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND REMARKS
The OARAC has been improved. The improved version
reportedly uses the same codes and commands as OARAC in
order that problems may be run without difficulty.
The problem exists with most computer installations that a
considerable amount of machine time is required for checking out
problems and it is planned to compensate for this by using the new
machine, which is faster than the old OARAC, for running checked-
out problems only.
The new machine is supposed to have a 10,000 word core
memory, and is supposed to be able to perform additions in 65
microseconds, excluding access time or in 130 microseconds,
including access time and playback of the next instruction,
multiply in 2.6 milliseconds and divide on an average of 6
milliseconds. This is supposed to result in an operating time
savings of approximately 25 to 1 for most programs.
INSTALLATIONS
Aeronautical Research Laboratory
Wright Air Development Center
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
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BRL 1961, OKLAHOMA UNIV, start page 0728
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OKLAHOMA UNIV
Oklahoma University Computer 1066
MANUFACTURER
University of Oklahoma
Computer Laboratory
APPLICATIONS
Located in the Merrick Building, North Campus, University of
Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, the system is used for general
purpose scientific and engineering computation. This computer
is a copy of the Rice University computer.
PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM
Internal number system Binary
Binary digits/word 54
Binary digits/instruction 54
Instructions per word 1
Instructions decoded Approx. 2500 (Micro
Programmed)
Arithmetic system Floating point
Base 28; Exponent has sign plus 5 bits; Man., sign
plus 47.
Instruction type One address
With limited three-address options.
Number range Floating Pt: 2-295 < |n| < 2+248
Fixed Pt: - 1 < n < 1
Instruction word format
+-----------------+------------+------------+----+-----+---------+
| 6 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 15 |
+-----------------+------------+------------+----+-----+---------+
| 4 Bit Address | Operation | Auxiliary | 15 Bit Address |
| of One Operand; | Field | Red-Tape | plus B Modifiers; |
| Sign Modifies- | | Operation | Indirect Address |
| tion | | | Option; Sign Mod- |
| | | | ification |
+-----------------+------------+------------+--------------------+
Automatic built-in subroutines
Provision for an entire class of these. Initially will have none.
Tests for tags and certain arithmetic conditions are done
automatically in the "Trapping Mode" of operation. Automatic
coding
ALGOL Compiler
Registers and B-boxes
7 rapid access 54-bit registers (4 listed also as
fast access storage).8 B-boxes - Instruction uses
any combination and gives sum of contents as modifier 1 Fictitious
"zero" register. 8 special purpose 15 bit registers.
Number of binary digits per word or instruction is 56 in
memory, 2 of which are tags which can be tested when
bringing from memory.
About 2,500 combinations in the operation field alone,
with room for expansion.
One operand is taken from any of the 16 standard registers; a
result from the operation can be stored back into any of the 16
or a B-box can be modified as a final auxiliary operation.
Two of the B-boxes have special designations as Control
Counter and Pathfinder; respectively these contain the address
of the next instruction, and an address from a previous transfer.
ARITHMETIC UNIT
Incl Stor Access Exclud Stor Access
Microsec Microsec
Add 7 to 16 3 to 4
Mult 108 100
Div 108 100
Times are estimated.
Construction (Arithmetic unit only)
Vacuum-tubes 900
Transistors 60
Diodes 5,600
Arithmetic mode Parallel
Timing Asynchronous
Operation Sequential
STORAGE
No. of No. of Bin Access
Media Words Dig/Word Microsec
Flip-Flop Register 4 54 < 1
Electrostatic (CRT) 8,192 (present) 63 8(avg)
Diode-Capacitor 4 63 Buffers
Magnetic Tape
No. of units that can be connected 8 Units
No. of char/linear inch of tape 500 Char/inch
Channels or tracks on the tape 10 Tracks/tape
Tape speed 75 Inches/sec
Start time 7 Millisec
Stop time 10 Millisec
Physical properties of tape
Width 0.75 Inches
The flip-flop registers are located in the arithmetic unit and
listed there also. Barrier Grid type CRT is used. .63 bits include 54
word, 2 tags, 6 error correction code, and 1 parity. Diode-
Capacitor registers are buffers to and from magnetic tapes.
INPUT
Media Speed
Paper Tape 400 hexads/sec
44 words/sec
Ferranti T.R. 5 (Photoelectric)
Magnetic Tape 2 to 4 words/millisec
Typewriter Manual (IBM Input-Output Writer)
Switches Manual (Can set 4 Special-Purpose
Registers)
Operator can type to or from any register.
Sense, Mode, Trapping, Indicator Registers.
OUTPUT
Media Speed
Line Printer 20 lines/sec (numeric)
10 lines/sec (alphanumeric)
Paper Tape Punch 100 codes/sec 6 levels plus control
Typewriter 10 octal dig/sec
Magnetic Tape
Printer mechanism is Anelex 56-160.
Punch is Teletype BRPE 11
Paper Tape preparation is by off-line Flexowriter.
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BRL 1961, OKLAHOMA UNIV, start page 0729
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CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM
Type
Tubes
5965 About 1,500
6197 About 300
S11E12 About 20 A high quality British power pentode.
2D21 About 120 To drive printer hammer solenoids.
1858 63 Barrier-grid storage tube.
Total approx. 2,000
Diodes
OMC-537
SG211
Other miscellaneous
About 16,000 total (estimate)
The majority of these are OMC-537 which is a Gold
Bonded Germanium Diode
Transistors
2N585
2N598
2N393
SB101
Others
Total 2,000 - 3,000(estimate) mostly the first
two types
Primary uses: instruction decoding and gates, per-
ipheral equipment, and memory preamplifier.
Magnetic Cores 700 Used for pulse transformers
The above quanities include some rather gross estimates for the
control unit which is only partially completed.
CHECKING FEATURES
Six bit error correction code plus parity on electrostatic storage
and magnetic tape. Corrects singlyoccurring bit failures. Exponent,
mantissa overflow indicators which can be automatically checked as
a trap condition.
Provision for marginal. checking of circuits. Rounding is
optional on results of certain arithmetic operations.
POWER, SPACE, WEIGHT, AND SITE. PREPARATION
Power, computer 12 Kw (estimated)
Capacity, air conditioner 15 Tons
PRODUCTION RECORD
Number produced to date 0
Number in current operation Sections only, not en-
tire system
Number in current production 1
System operation anticipated in 1961.
COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES
Locally produced.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND REMARKS
On any instruction the address can be modified by any
combination of the 8 index registers (B registers), the control
counter as a B register allows easy relative addressing of
subroutines. Large exponent base for faster floating point
operations, extra long mantissa to minize loss of significance by
shifts of 8.
Provision for repeating the same instruction in a 1-word
loop. Result of any arithmetic or logic can be returned to
memory as a general "add-to-memory" with a block transfer
option.
Interchange options allow integer arithmetic, where the4,
fixed point number range can be considered as
+-247
Two tag bits in memory on either words or instructions.
A special register of "Mode Lights" allow special modes of
machine operation: trapping made where certain tests are made
during the instruction execution; repeat mode for repeating the
same instruction) rounding on multiplication and floating point
addition and subtraction is optional by "Rounding Mode",
There is provision for using two magnetic tape units
concurrent with normal program, execution.
The designation 1066 refers to the Battle of Hastings, in as mush
as the computer is located at Norman.
This computer is s copy of the Rice University Computer,
see that description for further comments that are applicable as
of 1960-1961.
FUTURE PLANS
Memory size to be increased to full. 32,000 word capacity
after the system is running.
INSTALLATIONS
University of Oklahoma
Computer Laboratory
Merrick Building - North Campus
Norman, Oklahoma
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BRL 1961, ORACLE, start page 0730
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ORACLE
Oak Ridge Automatic Computer and Logical Engine
MANUFACTURER
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory, Jointly
Photo by Oak Ridge National Laboratory
APPLICATIONS
Located at X-10 site at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, use and
application has been primarily as a research and development tool for numerical
analysis, programming techniques, and problems in physics, chemistry,
engineering and biology. Methods have been developed for solving linear
equations, matrix inversions, computing eigenvalues and vectors of matrices,
solution of reactor problems involving ordinary and partial differential
equations. Monte Carlo techniques have been designed and applied to
problems in health physics and shielding. Many "one of a kind" problems are
solved which involve methods mentioned above as well as function evaluation,
interpolation and statistical analysis. In the last few years much effort has gone
into data processing, data handling and reduction. System is a large scale and
general purpose computer.
PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM
Internal number system Binary
Binary digits/word 40
Binary digits/instruction 8
Instructions/word 2
Arithmetic system Fixed point
Instruction type One address
Number range -1 to + (1 - 2-39)
Instruction word format
+------------+---------+---------------+
| Order | Break | Address |
| | Point | |
+------------+---------+---------------+
| 8 | 1 | 11 |
+------------+---------+---------------+
Registers
Accumulator, quotient and storage registers
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BRL 1961, ORACLE, start page 0731
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Photo by Oak Ridge National Laboratory
ARITHMETIC UNIT
Incl. Stor. Access Exclud. Stor. Access
Microsec Microsec
Add 70 8
Mult 370-590 Slightly less
Div 590 Slightly less
Construction (Arithmetic unit only)
Arithmetic unit is constructed of vacuum tubes,
transistors, and diodes. Type 2N43 transistors and type
1N68 and 1N191 diodes are used. Arithmetic mode Serial
Timing Synchronous in storage
and asynchronous in arithmetic
Operation Sequential Concurrent in
magnetic tape hunting operations
STORAGE
No. of Access
Media Words Microseconds
Cathode Ray Tube 2,048 18
Magnetic Tape 3 x 106 50,000/block
Four handlers 128 words/block
No. of units that can be connected 4 Units
No. of chars/linear inch 170 Chars/inch
Channels or tracks on the tape 42 Tracks/tape
Blank tape separating each record 1 Inch
Tape Speed 47 Inches/sec
Transfer rate 8000 chars/sec
Start time 5 Millisec
Stop time 5 Millisec
Average time for experienced
operator to change reel 30 seconds
Physical properties of tape
Width 2 Inches
Length of reel 1,000 Feet
Composition .003" Mylar base
.001" Oxide coating
INPUT
Medium Speed
Paper Tape (Ferranti) 200 char/sec
OUTPUT
Media Speed
Photographic Curve 2000 char/sec
Plotter
Used for point plotting also
Characters are series of points
Console Typewriter 10 char/sec
Not normally used for output
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BRL 1961, ORACLE, start page 0732
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Paper Tape 60 char/sec
Teletype BRPE-2
Magnetic Tape 1000 char/sec
Printed on typewriter at 10 char/sec
Output magnetic tape is run at 60 in/sec on ORACLE
and slowed to 0.6-in/sec for printing on typewriter (IBM).
CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM
Type Quantity
Tubes
5844
5965
7044
6211
3633
6BC7
6AL5
6AK5
6AH6
12AT7
12AU7
12AX7
Total 5,000
Diodes
1N68
1N191
Total 200
Transistors
2N43 100
Magnetic Cores None
CHECKING FEATURES
Word parity on memory
Word parity on magnetic tape
Character parity on paper and magnetic tape
POWER, SPACE, WEIGHT, AND SITE. PREPARATION
Power, computer 75 Kw 0.9pf
Room size 60 ft x 60 ft
Capacity, air cond., computer 25 Tons
Capacity, air cond., room 15 Tons
A false floor consisting of four plenums covers 0.9 of
room. Ducts under false floor and over roof seals in closed loop
air conditioning. A separate 4400-volt power line transformer
is used.
PRODUCTION RECORD
Number produced to date 1
Number in current operation 1
COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES
Arithmetic Unit
Memory Unit
Magnetic tape unit
Input-Output and Console
Total $250,000
PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
Three 8-Hour Shifts
Used Recommended
Supervisors 2
Analysts 4 8
Programmers 40
Coders 2 8
Clerks 1
Librarians 1
Operators 5
Engineers 1 3
Technicians 6
Methods of training includes classes in basic coding and
algebraic language coding.
RELIABILITY, OPERATING EXPERIENCE,
AND TIME AVAILABILITY
Average error-free running time 4 hours
Good time 3,869 hours
Attempted to run time 4,252 hours
Operating ratio (Good/Attempted to run) 0.91
Figures based on period Jul 55 to Jul 56
Acceptance test 1 Sep 53
ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND REMARKS
Two operating modes are possible in the ORACLE.
Mode 1 is the 1024 word mode in which time multiplex is
used between a pair of Williams tubes to determine the stored
information for each bit. When either tube reads a dash signal,
a dash is replenished to both. This method overcomes the
common type of screen blemish which would prevent storage
of a "1" (dot-dash).
Mode 2 is the 2048 word mode in which each tube stores
1024 bits. The first tube is regenerated in the first half of a
major cycle and the second tube in the second half.
LAS type computer.
INSTALLATIONS
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
P. 0. Box X
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
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BRL 1961, ORACLE, start page 0733
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BRL 1961, ORDVAC, start page 0734
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ORDVAC
Ordnance Variable Automatic Computer
MANUFACTURER
University of Illinois
U. S. Army Photo
APPLICATIONS
Ballistic Research Laboratories
Exterior ballistics problems such as high altitudes, solar and
lunar trajectories, computation for the preparation of firing
tables and guidance control data for Ordnance weapons,
including free flight and guided missiles.
Interior ballistic problems, including projectile, propellant
and launcher behavior, e.g. physical characteristics of solid
propellants, equilibrium composition and thermodynamic
properties of rocket propellants, computation of detonation
waves for reflected shock waves, vibration of gun barrels and
the flow of fluids in porous media.
Terminal ballistic problems, including nuclear,
fragmentation and penetration effects in such areas as
explosion kinetics, shaped charge behavior, ignition, and heat
transfer.
Ballistic measurement problems, including
photogrammetric. ionospheric, and damping of satellite spin
calculations, reduction of satellite doppler tracking data, and
computation of satellite orbital elements.
Weapon systems evaluation problems, including anti-
aircraft and anti-missile evaluation, war game problems, linear
programming for solution of Army logistical problems,
probabilities of mine detona
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BRL 1961, ORDVAC, start page 0735
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Transistorized Arithmetic UnitU. S. Army Photo
tions, and lethal area and kill probabilities of mine detonations,
and lethal area and kill probability studies of missiles.]
PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM
Internal number system Binary
Binary digits per word 40
Instructions per word 2
Instruction type One Address
Binary digits in operation code 6 or 9
Binary digits in address 12 or 10
Instructions used 55 or 72
Arithmetic system Fixed point
Number range -1 < x < 1
Instruction word format
+-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Left Instruction | Right Instruction |
+--------+---------+------------+--------+---------+------------+
| 6 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Order | unused* | Address | Order | unused* | Address |
+--------+---------+------------+--------+---------+------------+
| 20 Bits | 20 Bits |
+-------------------------------+-------------------------------+
*One bit will be used to differentiate floating point
numbers from fix point numbers
Rapid Access word registers - 3 Sexadecimal representation
is used externally. Negative numbers are handled as 2
complements.
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BRL 1961, ORDVAC, start page 0736
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Magnetic Core Memory U. S. Army Photo
Floating point operation may be programmed.
Dual code - ORDVAC operates on a dual code basis. The codes
are, on a two instructions per word basis, i.e. 20 digits per
instruction:
Code A - 1,024 words of storage:
9 digit, command
1 digit, spare
10 digit, address
Code B - 4,096 words of storage:
6 digit, command
2 digit, spare
12 digit, address
This system permits utilization of routines developed previous
to the 4,096-word operation change over.
ARITHMETIC UNIT
Arithmetic mode Parallel
Basic pulse rate Not pulse controlled
Add time (Basic addition by
arithmetic unit) 14 microsec
Multiply time (exclud. stor.
access) 700 microsec
Divide time (exclud. stor.
access) 700 microsec
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BRL 1961, ORDVAC, start page 0737
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Transistorized Channel Selector U. S. Army Photo
The total add time, including transfer to final
register, is 50 microseconds. None of the above
figures include access to storage.
Construction, Arithmetic unit only - Transistorized
on printed circuit plug-in boards, using 1,000 Type
2N128 transistors.
Timing Asynchronous
Operation Parallel
STORAGE
Media Words Digits Access
Magnetic core 4,096 163,840 bits 15 microsec
Magnetic drum 10,032 401,280 bits 80,000 "
/48 words
Magnetic drum purchased from ERA Division of Sperry Rand, Incorporated.
The track selector for the magnetic drum has been transistorized. Magnetic
core storage unit purchased from Telemeter Magnetics,
Incorporated. Both above storage units adapted to
ORDVAC and installed by Ballistic Research Laboratories personnel.
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BRL 1961, ORDVAC, start page 0738
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INPUT
Media Speed
Teletype tape (5 hole) 2.5 words per sec
Punched cards40 words per sec (bin)
8 words per sec (dec)
Ferranti Hi-speed Paper
Tape Reader20 words per sec (bin)
Magnetic tape 300 words per sec
The special purpose one inch wide magnetic tape system for
transferring telemetered data to ORDVAC has 6 information
tracks and 3 control tracks.
OUTPUT
Media Speed
Teletype page printer 0.4 words per sec
Teletype tape 0.4 words per sec
Punched cards40 words per sec (bin)
8 words per sec (dec)
Transistorized magnetic core contents display.
CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM
Tubes
Type Quan Type Quan
5964 817 C6J 28
5687 420 6x5 4
2C51 568 OC3 4
5965 637 6SF5 4
6AL5 47 6AC7 4
6A67 2 12SN7 12
2D21 160 12AM 1
6080 21 6AH6 9
6AN5 13 6350 86
0B2 14 6829 2
7AK7 16 6216 2
5963 46 6x77 42
6AV6 13 6197 90
6L6 26 5998 72
12AX7 22 6336 27
6X4 6 350B 4
5651 12 OA2 3
6AQ5 1 Total 3,430
Transistors
Type Quan Type Quan
2N126 20 2N1056 250
2N140 65 2N113 75
2N128 1300 2N426 25
2N109 346 2N425 _10
Total 2,091
Diodes
Type Quan Type Quan
IN91 418 IN63 15
1N93 162 1N58A 15
IN52 10 1N298 300
Total 915
POWER, SPACE, WEIGHT, AND SITE PREPARATION
Power Consumption
Computer 40 K.W.
Core Memory 15 K. W.
Magnetic Drum 6 K.W.
Air Conditioning
Computer 15 Tons
Core Memory 7.5 Tons
Magnetic Drum 3 Tons
Space
Computer 630 cu ft 80 sq ft
Weight
Computer 3,000 lbs
PRODUCTION RECORD
Number produced to date 1
Number in current operation 1
COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES
Rental rates for additional equipment
$648.57 per month
The additional rentedequipment is:
I.B.M. punch$ 83.32 per month
I.B.M. reader $82.50
I.B.M. reproducer $122.50
I.B.M. tabulator $360.25
Approximate cost of basic system $600,000.
PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
Typical Personnel
Three 8-Hour Shifts
Supervisors 6
Analysts 3
Programmers and Coders 14
Clerks 1
Engineers 1
Technicians 6
No engineers are assigned to the operation of toe machine, but
are used for development and design of additions to the
machine. The technicians consult the engineers when a total
break-down occurs.
RELIABILITY, OPERATING EXPERIENCE,
AND TIME AVAILABILITY
Average error-free running period Approx. 6 hours
Good-time 7,475 hours
Attempted to run time 8,760 hours/year
Operating ratio 0.85
The above figures are based on the yearly average of the last 5
years. Approximately 2 hours per week are used for scheduled
preventive maintenance and 10 hours per week are used for
running computer test programs. The 1,286 hours difference
above were used for testing, servicing, bad operating time, general
improvement, and the incorporation of new components.
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BRL 1961, ORDVAC, start page 0739
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ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND REMARKS
The ORDVAC belongs to the group of computers whose basic logic was
developed by the Institute for Advanced Study and utilized in the IAS
computer. This IAS family of computers is made up of such machines as the
ILLIAC, ORACLE, AVIDAC, MANIAC, JOHNNIAC, MISTIC, and
CYCLONE. The ORDVAC is a direct-coupled machine using threedimensional
construction. A direct-coupled machine is one that connects the voltage level of
one component directly to the input of the next, without voltage isolation
between. This feature is very helpful in trouble-shooting the system.
Threedimensional construction is sometimes called lowcapacitance wiring. In
the ORDVAC, three-dimensional wiring is employed by placing the arithmetic
unit and other controls on opposite sides, and interconnected wiring running
across the open space between. The machine can be remotely controlled from
commercial Teletype units.
ORDVAC is equipped with the option of two different instruction codes.
Code -9 (nine bits per instruction) makes 1,024 words of high speed core
storage available to the operator while Code -6 (six bits per instruction) makes
4,096 words of high speed storage available. Each code shares a common
ninebit decoder; however, when the code -6 option is used the instruction first
passes through a code translator which translates the six bit instruction into its
9-bit equivalent. There is no loss of time while making the code translation.
The translator uses the following number of
circuit elements
Transistors
SB 100 135
2N 43 24
2N 140 12
Total 171
Crystal diodes 253
Resistors 305
Capacitors 23
The above components are mounted on 21 printed circuit boards. Power
dissipation is approximately 5 watts.
INSTALLATIONS
Ballistic Research Laboratories
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland
FUTURE PLANS
The Floating Point unit for the ORDVAC will
fully Transistorized, with a number range of 2
to 2-,using a seven bit biased exponent. Num-
bers will be normalized automatically on transfer
to storage. The mantissa of the normalized float-
ing-point number will have a range of 1/2 > C > -1/2.
-his system will require that an existing register
be converted from a one-sided shifting register to
a two-sided shifting register.
Fully transistorized control circuitry for new indexing orders will be
added in the near future.
General purpose magnetic tape stations will be added to the ORDVAC
shortly, with provisions for 8 stations. ORDVAC will control read, write, re-
wind forward and backward, move tape forward and back N words, starting at
A address of memory, transfer to B address of memory for next instruction, re-
record N words, playback N words, check for parity error, transfer on error,
and other functions.
Circuit Elements, Entire System
Magnetic Cores
Quan OD ID Thick
172,032 100 70 30 mils
5376 375 260 125 mils
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