Changeset 460 in t29-www for en/computer/gamma55.php


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Timestamp:
Sep 7, 2013, 12:43:23 PM (11 years ago)
Author:
heribert
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Englische Seiten aktualisiert

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1 edited

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  • en/computer/gamma55.php

    r303 r460  
    3737
    3838The basic implementation of the machines makes heavy use of mechanical
    39 parts but at least the card reader is an optical device.<br>
     39parts but at least the card reader is an optical device.<br>   
     40
    4041<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
     47the cabinets <a class="popup" href="/shared/photos/rechnertechnik/ge-55-2.jpg"> (enlarge picture) </a><br> </p>
     48                </div>
     49                </div>
     50               
    4951
    5052<p>Our machine can be programmed in machine language or some kind of a
     
    6668same time other companies like UNIVAC or IBM already employed
    6769integrated circuits (DTL, Diode-Transistor-Logic) for their machines.<br>
     70    </p>
     71       
     72September 2013: <b id="ge-55">Success! The machine is up and running!</b><br>
     73After a substantial amount of time spent for debugging, the machine is now
     74fully operational again. More the 30 (!!) defective transistors and diodes had to
     75be traced down and replaced to achieve this. These parts failed silently
     76during the 33 years in storage. We can now proudly state that this is the
     77only surviving Gamma 55 on earth which is still running. If you are
     78interested in details concerning the architecture and programming of the
     79machine, have a look here (in German only): <a href="http://www.technikum29.de/download/Manuals-Bull%20GE55/"> BULL Gamma 55 manuals </a> </p>
    6880
    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>
     87The card reader of the GE55 can be seen on the left of the pictures (without
     88its cover. It is interesting to see that Bull solved every problem for which
     89as (practical) mechanical solution exists in a mechanical way (as compared to
     90our times where microcontrollers are abundant even in applications which
     91might be implemented more easily with a mechanical approach). The card is
     92coupled to a punched tape which generates the clock signal for reading the
     93card's columns. Although this part can wear out easily, it is nevertheless an
     94ingenious solution.<br>
     95Also visible is the projection display: 10 digits and two
     96additional symbols are displayed by an array of incandescent lamps with
     97associated lenses. This is the main way of communicating with the machine
     98like today's video terminals.
     99The picture below shows the read-only-memory containing 1024 words. A very
     100heavy contraption but very maintainable. (Both pictures can be enlarged by
     101clicking 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>
    73112
    74113        <div class="cols">
     
    87126input/output devices and one high speed channel used by external
    88127memory units or a fast line printer...<br>
    89 </div>
    90 <div class="rightcol"><blockquote><p class="small">
    91128....the cycle time is 7.9 us. Characters are represented by their
    92129respective ISO-code. The core memory is used as data and program
    93130memory. A since byte, comprised of 8 data bits and one parity bit,
    94131stores a single alphabetical character or up to two numerical
    95 digits...<br>
     132digits...
     133</div>
     134<div class="rightcol"><blockquote><p class="small">
    96135
    97136Instructions are analyzed and executed under control of a
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