A transfluxor program store for an airborne digital computer

Non-destructive read-out devices for digital computer storage can have two advantages over volatile storage. Program information may not be lost in the event of computer or power supply malfunction, and economy can often be achieved in drive circuitry and power consumption. The transfluxor can be used for a store which has both these advantages, and is, moreover, electrically alterable at microsecond speeds. This paper discusses the design of a 2048-word 20-bit word-organized store, with particular reference to the severe requirements of an airborne environment. The wiring pattern is examined and economies peculiar to this type of store are explained. Brief details are given of the read amplifier, in which a novel method of sense-line switching gives rise to further economies in circuitry.