Arithmetic Unit of a Computing Element in a Global, Highly Parallel Computer

The arithmetic unit of a digital computing element for a proposed globally controlled, highly parallel computer having up to thousands of such computing elements is described. Because operand words are regarded as circular, and any digit position may be designated as most significant during an operation, the atom of the computing element is the digit position logic, i.e., the computing elements are themselves composed of identical modules for each digit. The entire computing element, consisting of the arithmetic unit, an 8192 bit IGFET memory, and a special purpose input unit can be packaged on a 3.75 inch by 4.5-inch ceramic substrate using beam lead integrated circuits.