Bi-weekly progress report of project Whirlwind I research teams

Forrester, Jay W.

MIT Libraries Dome

# * ,••> UNCLASSIFIED 6345 Memorandum ? 1-668 Page 1 of 13 Projeot Whirlwind ServomechnnisiM Laboratory Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts SUBJECTi BI-WEEKLY REPORT, PART I, OCTOBER 29, 1948 Tot 6545 Engineers • Promt Jay W. Forrester 1.0 WTHRL"T??P I COMPUTER ELB"EKTS 1.1 Listed by Blook Diagram Number 102 Program Counter (K. E. HoVicar) Test specifications for the program counter panel are being written and should be ready for approval and distribution next week. 109 Clock Pulse Control (J. A. O'Brien) The layout of the olook pulse control panel has been received from Sylvania. The layout has been oheoked and approved with a few minor changes in the zero and one designations of the flip-flops to oonform to the latest block diagram changes. Ill Synchroniser (H. Kenosian) Breadboard of the push-button circuits has been o om-pleted and is now undergoing tests. 202 Toggle Switoh Storage (H. Fahnestook) The toggle switoh storage layout has been approved with a few minor ohanges. WE 8 Tiff IKP' APPROVED FOR PUB IC REL ASE. CASE 06-1104.*\ UNCLASSIFIED 6345 Memorandum M-668 Page 2 | 205 Flip-Flop Stsraga (A. K. Susskind) A block schematic of flip-flop storage oontrol has been made up showing the interconnections of the various RD types I & II involved and is now being finished in the drafting room. Drawing number is D-3Z106, (Ho H. Gould) Writing of final specifications for the f l ip- f lop storage register and f l ip- f lop storage output panel wi l l commence after some final tes t s on the prototype panels. 300 Arithmetic Control C?. Papian and G. G. Hoberg) Testing of the divide error and sign oontrol panel and the ACO auxiliary panel has been completed. Drawings are being brought up to date. Testing of the step counter has been postponed until after point-off control and divide'oontrol have been reoheoked. dircuft sohema-fios' or all non-repetitive pentions of the arithnetio element have been reviewed in light of Tluroh's layout of the video oabling for arithmetic oontrol (SR40182). A list has been made of all circuit modifioations which will be or might be necessary. Cable terminations and step-up transformers must be removed from a number of places, and terminations added in other places. In some oases external plug-in terminations will be used so that drawings and panels need not be modified. Where oabling is still arbitrary or doubtful for any reason, modifioations will be withheld pend-ing final information. 301 A-Register (IT, Fahnestock) Sixteen tested A-register panels have been delivered to us by Sylvania. This oompletes the A-register exoept for the sero digit. U l APPROVED FOR P BLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.&& • i ejsj H "-vv 9S9BSHI #\ 6345 Memorandum :!-6G8 UNCLASSIFIF EST1OTE0 MHHflHHHMil I Page 3 • 302 Aooumulator (R. H. Oould) The aooumulator digits 1-14 test specifications have been typed in final form and are waiting for approval. Changes may be neoessary in the trigger tube input to reduce feedback, but it was deoided that some further experimentation is needed and any changes will be made at L'.I.T. after delivery of the panels. 305 Step Counter Output (J. A. O'Brien) The construction of the step counter output panel is prooeding. This work is well head of schedule. 700 Operator's Console (C. w. Watt) Temporary video oabling for the preliminary testing period has been designed, and orders for about half have been given to the shop. The balanoe will be ordered next week. This oabling interconnects the standard test equip-ment used in the temporary console, and ties it to the arithmetic element. About 100 cables must be fabricated, and 50 more can be taken from standard lab stock cables. 1.2 System Engineering (U. S. Rogers) Installation - The following WffI installation projeots were completed! 1. Installation of two power supplies (+120 volt and +90 volt). The following work will be continued t 1. Installation of rack filter units. It was felt that new mounting brackets would permit easier removal of the units when balanoe of other panels are installed. 2. Sylvania - installation of overhead wlreways awaiting material for completion. Sections which might be delayed by late delivery of mounting parts will be mounted by use of temporary braokets. i .. »L'LriC} BESTMBflTED APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.UNCLASSIFIED . BE*f#H)«D . 6345 Memorandum K-668 Page 4 1.2 System Engineering (continusd) 5. The ground grid in the computer room is completed as far as overhead wireways permit. 4. Power wiring for available D.C, supplies has been completed but other units are expected. 5. Raolc locating pins have been installed in arithmetio element racks and location data is expected on other raoks. The following will be startedt 1* Lab power and service AC wiring in overhead wireways will be run as Boon as wireways permit* Personnel A* Computer Room 8 B. Power Supply Room 2 C. Part-time students where needed 2 1,21 Power Control & Distribution (R. E. Hunt) Power Supply Remote Control Panel - has been manufaotur ed and partially assembled, final assembly awaits the delivery of a push-button station that will be delayed two more weeks. Power Supply Control - is progressing satisfactorily. Drafting is now in its final stages. Marginal Checking Control - has been manufactured and assembled and is now being wired* Installation will be made when the manpower is available. Installation drawings are progressing well. We are trying to keep these drawings well ahead of installation rather than turn out finished drawings in any instance. In this way semi-finisbed drawings will be available for installation when needed. Drawings for the arithmetio bay are practically oomplete. Drawings for the arithmetio control (AX-7 & AX-8) and C-15 are underway. ^EST&wra APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.• UNCLAoSIFIED iEt™«JEI 6345 Menorandun M-668 Page 6 1.22 Power Cabling (H. S. Loe) The drafting and produotion of preformed oables is progressing satisfactorily. Present indications are that all preformed oables for the arithmetic elements and arithmetic oontrol will be available when required for testing of the A-register. 1.23 Video Cabling (C. V. Watt) Further details of oable marking were deoided upon, and memorandum 'I-6G4 outlines these. Spec S-7,504-3 will be revised to include them. (R. H. Uuroh) A drawing (SR-40182) s owing all the video cabling for arithmetic oontrol has been completed and oheoked. Cable numbers have been assigned and master video cabling schedules are about 50"J complete for all oables shown on this drawing. Several basic forms for oable detail drawings will be completed next week. 1.24 Register Driver (C. A. Rowland) The prototype of register driver panel type n has been tested and approved for produotion. 1.3 Auxiliary Equipment 1.31 Power Supplies (J. J. Gano) Designed heater load for testing power supplies; capacity, 10 Kff; 115-230 volts; single phase or three phase. Parts are on order. (J. J. Gano ?• C. H. Wieser) Synchronous Motor Regulator - The breadboard regulator has been operating daily during the past week, maintaining the laboratory 115 7 a-c power supplies within one volt. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.UNCLASSIFIED 6345 Memorandum H-668 Page 6 1*31 Power Supplies (continued) Slnoe there are no safety features in the oirouit, it is shut off eaoh evening. A permanent design incorporating safety features is underway. (C. R. vTieser) Tffifl Plate Power - The +150, +250, +90, and -150 volt supplies from Power Equipment Co. have been mounted and are about 90% wired i n . The +150 volt supply has been operated sat is factori ly at no load after repair of a short-oirouited test-key. (L. J. Nardone) Variable-Voltage - The control circuits of the variable -voltage supply were modified to eliminate high frequency-noise In the output. The low frequency noise (a ripple of approximately 0.5 cycles per second) was reduoed to -£"S of the output by critical adjustment of the contacts .of the Brown Converters. Tlowever, this does not eliminate the source of the 0.5 ops ripple* A method has been devised for inserting the variable-voltage supply into a loaded oirouit. Tests are being made on the transient response. When the variable-voltage output is sero volts and is inserted into a oirouit carrying a 2 amp load, transients of less than 2 volts and .05 seo duration occur. However, the output of the variable-voltage supply ohanges its level fromzero volts to approximately 2 volts* MiTWTEl 1̂ APPROVED FOR PUBLI  RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.R UNCLASSIFIED TUfiTED 6345 Ifemorandum II- 668 T7WI Drawing L i s t System Control Master Clock 101 Pulse Generator 102 Program Counter 103 Program Register 104 Control Switch 105 Operation Matrix Control-Pulse Output 106 Time-Pulse Distributor 106 Time-Pulse Distributor Counter 106 Time-Pulse Distributor Output 109 Clock-Pulse Control 110 Frequency Divider 111 Synchroniser 112 Restorer-Pulse Generator 200 Storage 201 Storage Switch 202 Toggle-Switch Storage 202 Toggle Switoh Storage Output 203 Flip-Flop Storage Output 203 Flip-Flop Storage Register 203 Flip-Flop Storage Control Page 7 Block Diagram B-37071-5 B-3709S-U B-37199-1 A-37155-1 B-37062-k B-37067-2 B-37066-3 B-37068-3 B-39817-1 A-3715^1 A-37160 0-37156-1 B-3712L-1 B-37122-2 C-37156-1 B-3706O-U B-37O57-U Block a _v *. A «, dSudwoSXC B-32385 B-32213-1 B-39289-1 T60CSOO-1*-C S600M00 B6OCPOO T6OPDOO-8-B T60PDOO-3-A T6OPDOO-^B C-326142-2 B-32264-1 B-32209 - 3 B-32855 T6ocsoo-i4-c C-32080 B-32269-I B-32268-I Circuit Sehamatic »-3233>3 D-31516-4 D-31276-8 Z60CS00-A W60CSOO-I-A Z6OCS0O-2-A Z6OOMOO-I-'J S60CP0Q-1-B T6OPD0O-C 360PDOO-1-B B-31916-2 B-31729L.1 D-31909-6 Z6OOSOO-A ZbOCSOO-2-A B-3283O-I B-32722-1 B-327H B-32721-2 B-3l635-»+ E-31621-4 A-37061-5 D-32106 TOOT APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.63*5 Memorandum M~ 668 UNCLASSIFIED WWI Praying List (Continued) 301 A-Register, Digits 1-15 301 A-Regieter, Digit 0 302 Accumulator, Digits 1-lU 302 Aocumulator, Digit 0 302 Accumulator, Digit 0, Aux. Panel 303 B-Register 30U Sign Control A 308 Divide-Error Control 305 Step Counter 305 Step Counter Output 306 Multiply A 307 Shift Control 308 Divide Control 305 Special Add Memory A AOO Carry 310 Point-Off Control U03 In-Out Register UOk Comparison Register 601 Check Register 601 Check Register Check Bus Driver, Arithmetic Element Bus Driver, Flip-Flop Storage Register Driver, Type X Register Driver, Type XI Fuse Indication Panel Voltage Variation Panel WWI Power-Connector Pin Connections mi IE 8 TIB II IB T . E ! Page 8 Block Diagram B-37056-2 B-37056-2 B-37072-7 B.37063-5 B-37096-5 B-37096-5 B-37097-3 B-37069-8 B-3707U-5 B-37119-2 B-37120-2 B-39816-2 * Block Schematic B-3121L.3 B-3157U D-3121>3 D-32851 B- 321+92-2 B-31212-3 C-3I576-2 D- 31828-1 A-32723-I C-3I532-3 C-31552-2 c-31575-2 C-31600-5 B-32U3U-1 B - 3 2 5 7 8 B-32577 B.32018 A-32297-1 A-32296-1 B-32207-1 A-32691 Circuit Schematic D-31276-8 D-31573-2 B - 3 1 2 7 5 - U B-32850 D-326O2 D-31277-2* E-3I619-I D-3976U-1 D-32735-I I-3I588-3 B-31718-3 I-3I632-I 1-31717-3 D-3i277-u 1-32576-1 1-32576-1 1-32023 D-31727-6 D-31726-6 1-32261-3 D-32690-1 W60PPOO-7-D W60PP00>6-B c-31955-1* APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.UNCLASSIFIED U I f J HIIG IE 0 6345 Memorandum TT-668 Page 9 2.0 WgBjjMgD I RESEARCH ' • 2.2 Caspsrusnts 2.23 Vaouum Tube Studies (Ray L. Ellis) The 36 6AG7 tubes on life test were retasted at 2500 hours. Six 832 tubes were tested to find the eleotrode voltages for concurrent maximum plate and soreen dissi-pation. The halves were well balanced and emission very similar. 5687 tubes are oonning in slowly. Tests indicate tubes of the last shipment will muoh better meet our requirements. (n. B. Frost) Study of the operation of deteriorated 7AD7's in buffer amplifiers is being handicapped somewhat by the lack of bad 7AD7»s. Results to date show that deteriora-tion does not result in a general sealing of the buffer-amplifier transfer characteristic, but distorts it, with very little ohange at signal levels of 25 volts* but about 10/S loss below 20 volts input. The study is being continued, , 2.24 Crystal Rectifiers (B. S. Rioh) Standard tests made on 24 type 1N34 diodes which were removed from the deflection circuit generator after 1250 hours of operation showed that four of these diodes tend to drift and therefore are unsatisfactory. The remaining diodes pass the standard tests, and since initial data on them is not available no conclusions can be drawn as to their deterioration. Temperature measurements are being made for comparison with temperature data taken last summer on the five-digit multiplier. Some 1N38 diodes taken from the G.E. oounters are also being tested and operating temperature measurements will be made to see if deterioration has occurred in these units. ^ESTOTTEI APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.I ^CLASSIFIED u itimmi i 6545 Memorandum 11-668 ' Page 10 2.24 Crystal Reotifiers (oontinued) (Ray L. Ellis) Voltage versus current curves have also been made on 1N21 B and D557 crystals and are available to those interested. 2.5 Systems 2»S1 Five-Digit Multiplier (II o L. Ziegler) Alterations and additions to the multiplier have been completed and the multiplier has been returned to normal operation. Temporary jumpers have been used to supply power to those circuits which will be controlled from the marginal checking panel. Wiring and installation of all marginal checking equipment should be completed during the coming week. In returning the multiplier to operation, all supply leads were first checked with an ohmmeter for shorts and grounds. Voltages were then applied and each tube sooket checked for proper voltages. After all tubes were installed, approximately one and one half days of trouble-shooting were required to obtain oorreot operation on all test problems. The major cause of trouble was poor grounding of tube-socket rings. The original ground network was broken up during alterations to the multiplier and a new arrangement of ground leads showed these sooket rings, to be poorly grounded. Those rings were then jumpered to the nearest good ground connection, the sooket-ring mounting sorews being inaooessible. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.B: <CL/toSlF ED 6345 Memorandum M-668 Pa^e 11 3.0 ffSQIAh CIRWIT? 3.2 XflBt ftmlaaoat 3.21 Standard Teat Bouloment (C. A. Rowland) > Register Panel; A register panel incorporating a d~c coupled flip flop is being developed. This panel will be similar to the present register panel, but it will eliminate the necessity at restoration. Polar Mao fflflOli A delay line panel is being developed. Delays in steps at 0.1 micro-eec. from 0.1 to 1.0 micro-sec. will be obtained by push button selection; provision will be made for adding additional external delay lines. A pulse standardizer will be included on the panel. (H. Kenosian) Sate and Delay Unit! Final design ohanges will be completed this week. Ten new units will be built incor-porating these changes. Eventually, all units will be modified. Pulse Standard!«#rt Several units from the shop were tested, and did not give rectangular envelopes on pulse ohalns. The first few pulses were found to be smaller than the following. Tests indicate that the trouble was due to the decrease of forward resistance of the bus driver crystals (D-359) with the first few pulses passing through these crystal*. At least half of the crystals were rejected for this reason. (R. w. Read) Qate Invertan Circuit design is underway on the gate Inverter for use in storage tests. A larger amplitude than previously required is being generated. The negative gate will feed a capacltive load. (R. L. Massard) Video -Amplifier for 'Scone; A second model 5 synchro-scope with a modified Henry amplifier and probe have been sent to Sylvanla to be ueed for testing WVI prototype panels. uulLQJ) U u u U P U.lL APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RE EASE. CASE 06-1104.6345 Memorandum H-668 Page 12 | 3.21 Standard Teat ̂ nulnment (continued) All fuur of the amplifiers reoelved from Sylvanla have been lined up. These amplifiers still broaden O.liApulsee and cut down their amplitude, even with the 15 m£. bandwidth. A much greater bandwidth is still needed. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.MMsVlsMiaMtfSKitiiMBBHBBi UNCLASSIFIED 63U5 Memorandum M-668 D Page 13 U.O BLOCK DIAGRAMS (J . M. Salser) The first stage of Block Diagram revisions has been nearly completed. All block diagrams on Control and Tewt Storage (Number series 100 A 200) have been changed. These changes are not major ones and hare been transmitted to the Interested designers in all cases. A great deal of work has also been made on all other block diagrams and on all timing diagrams; the corresponding changes, however, are not put in effeot at this time because of the addi-tional changes in sight. This is due to the present work of test-ing the Arithmetic Element and of consolidating the Operations. Engineering Note, E-159, hae been written on Whirlwind nomen-clature. Several new terms are described and the usa of several known terms discussed. Other memoranda concerning the Block Dia-gram revisions will be issued. (R. P. Mayer) Memorandum M-6U9 has been issued and describes "Some New Orders for Wl". Order ao, add one, Is useful in increasing Indices nnd other number* by one, times 2_15. Order s£, subprogram, is an old order but has been modified to place the contents of PC in the AR. Uses of these orders are suggested in the Memo. A Memorandum is about to be issued which describes "Standard Switch Positions for WWI". The switches referred to are those which determine the use of certain storage registers, rnd those which determine the contents of toggle-switch storage registers Without Standard Settings of these switches, each program to be run on the computer would require the manually checking of all switohes involved, nnd checking to make sure that all programs {library, test, main, rnd sub-programs) being run at the same time are coded for the same switch settings. ; APPROVED FOR PUBLI  RELEASE. CASE 06-1104.

Bi-weekly Report, Part I, October 29, 1948

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Bi-weekly Report, Part I, October 29, 1948

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