The application of square-loop ferrite material in data-processing systems

Digital computing systems using very small ferrite cores have been developed because of the rapidity with which data can be inserted or withdrawn. The paper describes other applications of ferrite material in data-processing systems, either as toroidal cores or as blocks which are subdivided into a number of independent cells by drilling holes through which the controlling circuit connections are threaded. One application takes the form of buffers for modifying the speed or mode of presentation of data; a second concerns counters, distributors and scalers, and, as an example of such requirements, an incoming line terminal for a telegraph exchange is quoted. Attention is directed to the possibility of using a ferrite selector and a ferrite store for electronic telephone-exchange systems employing time division. In both these applications speed is of importance. In the case of dial registers, it is explained that substantial economy can be derived from rapid processing of the data. The application to telephone-message accounting is also described. It is shown that magnetic material can be used to replace electromagnetic switches, meters and relays and electronic triggers, counters and gates.