A bit-slice implementation of analogue-type computing units

Abstract

This paper describes the design and use of an analogue-type computing unit constructed from 2900-series bit-slice microcomputer parts. Units simulating the action of different analogue computing devices are architecturally identical but execute different microcode. All units have sufficient memory to store the microcode for all the common analogue devices and, at system initialization, each unit is configured as a particular type of device when it accepts a unit type number from the system console. An array of such units can be interconnected through an automatic patching system and used to simulate complex physical systems.