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Parametron: 50s Japanese computer that uses neither transistors nor vacuum tubes

ethw.org

11–20 of 58 posts

Re: Parametron: 50s Japanese computer that uses neither transistors nor vacuum tubes

#11
post #2

> In 1954, Eiichi Goto invented the parametron, a logic device leveraging nonlinear parametric oscillation with two ferrite cores. Unlike the vacuum tube and early transistor circuits prevalent at the time, the parametron offered remarkable stability, requiring minimal maintenance compared to vacuum tubes with short lifetime and costing significantly less than both vacuum tubes and nascent transistors. Its simplicity…

[flagged]

No, it’s literally a paragraph from TFA.

https://ethw.org/Milestones:Parametron,_1954#Invention_of_th...

Re: Parametron: 50s Japanese computer that uses neither transistors nor vacuum tubes

#12

EAC-1101 In March 1958, NEC finished its first digital computer, the NEAC-1101. This machine used parametrons, invented by Eiichi Goto in 1954, and was perfected by using a single-turn transformer coupling system independently devised by NEC. This computer was designed for scientific and engineering calculations, and was Japan's first computer to use floating point operations. It was capable of decimal 7-digit floati…

Interesting additional info, IMO this doesn’t deserve the downvotes.

Re: Parametron: 50s Japanese computer that uses neither transistors nor vacuum tubes

#13
The quantum flux parametron is a really fascinating design and I always wondered why no one talks about it. You can get to GHz range easily and computing will be adiabatic. Its based on Josephson-junctions so you need to provide very low temperatures. I always thought it was a more promising next gen compute technology than the current quantum computers. Especially when you get to write your own SQUIDs in a SEM. Its like two long rectangles with pads at the end+thin insulator on top+two wires for the contacts for a SQUID sandwich and suddenly you can do complex quantum circuits.

Re: Parametron: 50s Japanese computer that uses neither transistors nor vacuum tubes

#16
The Elliott 803 computer (a little later) also used magnetic core logic; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliott_803

Not sure if the principal is similar or not. (There was one down at the Bletchley computing museum many years ago when I went down)

Re: Parametron: 50s Japanese computer that uses neither transistors nor vacuum tubes

#19
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, it’s literally a paragraph from TFA. https://ethw.org/Milestones:Parametron,_1954#Invention_of_th...

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Re: Parametron: 50s Japanese computer that uses neither transistors nor vacuum tubes

#20
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, it’s literally a paragraph from TFA. https://ethw.org/Milestones:Parametron,_1954#Invention_of_th...

[flagged]

AI text detector is powered by AI. QED your comment is AI summary.
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