Serial Matrix Storage Systems

Coincident-current techniques, usually associated with parallel ferrite-core stores, may also be used for the operation of serio-parallel or purely serial memories. After outlining, in block diagram form, one possible physical realization of a serial system, the paper examines the conditions under which such a store is economically justified. The distinguishing feature of the system discussed is that coincidence is established in the memory matrix between two currents representing an address signal and a time signal, respectively. Studies of the characteristics and economics of serio-parallel devices are however not reported in detail. It is shown how the properties of the time-controlled serial store may lead to the adoption of a word-asynchronous design for serial digital computers. In such a machine, timing is not controlled or determined by limited store access. As examples, the paper indicates how the serial techniques facilitate the incorporation into small serial computers, of autonomous transfers, automatic floating point operations, high speed multiplication, division and shift orders and asynchronous transfers between, say, a high speed store and a magnetic drum.