A set of voltage-switched magnetic-core decoding matrices

A class of decoders is described which translates an input of N bits to a unique output signal on one of 2N output line s. This operation is equivalent to that performed by diode decoding matrices except that the output may be a current pulse of several hundred ma (milliamperes) rather than a logical level. The logic on which these decoders are based is described and implementations of it which use only magnetic cores, wires, resistors, and standard semiconductor circuit elements are analyzed. These implementations require as few as N+1 cores, N+1 related drivers, and a single current source. Decoding is accomplished by current steering. Consideration is also given to the use of these matrices for error detection and correction in redundant codes.