Changeset 460 in t29-www for en/computer/gamma55.php
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- Sep 7, 2013, 12:43:23 PM (11 years ago)
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en/computer/gamma55.php
r303 r460 37 37 38 38 The basic implementation of the machines makes heavy use of mechanical 39 parts but at least the card reader is an optical device.<br> 39 parts but at least the card reader is an optical device.<br> 40 40 41 <div class="box left"> 41 <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/ge-55-2.jpg" alt="Während der Restauration" width="566" height="322" /> 42 <div class="bildtext"> 43 44 <p>During reconstruction: 45 The picture on the left shows the system during the refurbishment of 46 the cabinets etc.</p> 47 </div> 48 </div> 42 <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/ge-55-2.jpg"> 43 <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/ge-55-2.jpg" alt="Während der Restauration" width="565" height="323" /></a> 44 45 <div class="bildtext"> 46 <p>The system during the refurbishment of 47 the cabinets <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/ge-55-2.jpg"> (enlarge picture) </a><br> </p> 48 </div> 49 </div> 50 49 51 50 52 <p>Our machine can be programmed in machine language or some kind of a … … 66 68 same time other companies like UNIVAC or IBM already employed 67 69 integrated circuits (DTL, Diode-Transistor-Logic) for their machines.<br> 70 </p> 71 72 September 2013: <b id="ge-55">Success! The machine is up and running!</b><br> 73 After a substantial amount of time spent for debugging, the machine is now 74 fully operational again. More the 30 (!!) defective transistors and diodes had to 75 be traced down and replaced to achieve this. These parts failed silently 76 during the 33 years in storage. We can now proudly state that this is the 77 only surviving Gamma 55 on earth which is still running. If you are 78 interested in details concerning the architecture and programming of the 79 machine, have a look here (in German only): <a href="http://www.technikum29.de/download/Manuals-Bull%20GE55/"> BULL Gamma 55 manuals </a> </p> 68 80 69 We are still working on restoring this wonderful machine to working 70 condition. So stay tuned, we will post status updates along the 71 process. 72 </p> 81 <div class="box left"> 82 <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/leser617.jpg"> 83 <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/leser617.jpg" alt="Card-Reader" width="402" height="249" /></a> 84 <div class="bildtext"> 85 <p>Card-Reader <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/leser617.jpg">(enlarge picture)</a><br> </p> 86 </div></div> 87 The card reader of the GE55 can be seen on the left of the pictures (without 88 its cover. It is interesting to see that Bull solved every problem for which 89 as (practical) mechanical solution exists in a mechanical way (as compared to 90 our times where microcontrollers are abundant even in applications which 91 might be implemented more easily with a mechanical approach). The card is 92 coupled to a punched tape which generates the clock signal for reading the 93 card's columns. Although this part can wear out easily, it is nevertheless an 94 ingenious solution.<br> 95 Also visible is the projection display: 10 digits and two 96 additional symbols are displayed by an array of incandescent lamps with 97 associated lenses. This is the main way of communicating with the machine 98 like today's video terminals. 99 The picture below shows the read-only-memory containing 1024 words. A very 100 heavy contraption but very maintainable. (Both pictures can be enlarged by 101 clicking on them.) 102 103 104 <div class="box right"> 105 <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/ge55-rom.jpg"> 106 <img src="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/ge55-rom.jpg" alt="Read-only-memory" width="399" height="259" /> </a> 107 <div class="bildtext"> 108 <p>Right: Read-only-memory removed from the machine. 109 <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/ge55-rom.jpg">(enlarge picture)</a><br></p> 110 </div> 111 </div> 73 112 74 113 <div class="cols"> … … 87 126 input/output devices and one high speed channel used by external 88 127 memory units or a fast line printer...<br> 89 </div>90 <div class="rightcol"><blockquote><p class="small">91 128 ....the cycle time is 7.9 us. Characters are represented by their 92 129 respective ISO-code. The core memory is used as data and program 93 130 memory. A since byte, comprised of 8 data bits and one parity bit, 94 131 stores a single alphabetical character or up to two numerical 95 digits...<br> 132 digits... 133 </div> 134 <div class="rightcol"><blockquote><p class="small"> 96 135 97 136 Instructions are analyzed and executed under control of a
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