The Design of Logical OR-AND-OR Pyramids for Digital Computers

This paper first considers design techniques of widespread use in the field today. As an example of these techniques, design values for the circuits of the Moore School Automatic Computer (MSAC) are presented. Some recently developed design techniques are then presented which offer marked improvements. These techniques are compared with those presented earlier by listing design values for comparable performance. The paper also considers some of the basic philosophies involved in the choice of elements for logical "OR-AND-OR" pyramids. It concludes with a description of reduced circuits which, when combined with the new techniques, make possible a 50-fold saving in power.