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BRL 1961, EDVAC, start page 0236

EDVAC

Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer MANUFACTURER Moore School of Electrical Engineering University of Pennsylvania Photo U. S. Army Photo APPLICATIONS Ballistic Research Laboratories Exterior ballistics problems such as high altitude, solar and lunar trajectories, computation for the preparation of firing tables and guidance control data for Ordnance weapons, including free flight and guided missiles. Interior ballistic problems, including projectile, propellant and launcher behavior, e.g. physical characteristics of solid propellants, equilibrium composition and thermodynamic properties of rocket propellants, computation of detonation waves for reflected shock waves, vibration of gun barrels and the flow of fluids in porous media. Terminal ballistic problems, including nuclear, fragmentation and penetration effects in such areas as explosion kinetics, shaped charge behavior, ignition, and heat transfer. Ballistic measurement problems, including photogrammetric, ionospheric, and damping of satellite spin calculations, reduction of satellite doppler tracking data, and computation of satellite orbital elements. Weapon systems evaluation problems, including anti- aircraft and anti-missile evaluation, war game problems, linear programming for solution of Army logistical problems, probabilities of mine detonations, and lethal area and kill probabilities of mine detonations, and lethal area and kill probability studies of missiles. PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM Internal number system Binary Binary digits per word 44 Binary digits per instruction 4 bits/command 10 bits each address Instructions per word 1 Instructions decoded 16 Instructions used 12 Arithmetic system Floating and Fixed point Instruction type Four-address code
BRL 1961, EDVAC, start page 0237
Photo U. S. Army Photo EDVAC Floating Point Number range Fixed -(1-2-43) n (1-2-43) Floating -(1-2-33)2511 <= n <= (1-2-33)2511 The fractional part of floating point number has 33 bits plus sign, and the exponent of 2 may range from -512 to +511. Instruction word format +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+ | A-Add | B-Add | C-Add | D-Add | Order | | 1 - 10 | 11 - 20 | 21- 30 | 31-40 | 41 - 44 | +---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+ ARITHMETIC UNIT Microsec Add time (includ. stor. access) 864 (min 192 max 1,536) Mult time (includ. stor. access) 2,880 (min 2,.208 max 3,552) Div time (includ. store access) 2,930 (min 2,256 max 3,600) Construction Vacuum-tubes and Diode-gates Number of rapid access word registers 4 Basic pulse repetition rate 1.0 megacycle/sec Arithmetic mode Serial Timing Synchronous Operation Sequential STORAGE Number Number of Media of Words Digits Access Microsec Mercury A.D.L. 1,024 48-384 48-384 Magnetic Drum 4,608 48/Word 17,000 Includes relay hunting and closure. The rate of information transfer to and from the drum is at one megacycle per second. The block length is optional from 1 to 384 words per transfer instruction. Magnetic Tape 48/Word Maximum number of units that can be connected to the system 7 Units Maximum number of characters per linear inch of tape 112 Char/inch Channels or tracks on the tape 8 Track/tape Blank tape separating each record 1.5 Inches
BRL 1961, EDVAC, start page 0238
Tape speed 75 Inches/sec Start time 3 Milliseconds Stop time 3 Milliseconds Average time for experienced operator to change reel of tape 30 Seconds Physical properties of tape Width 5/8 Inches Length of reel 1250/2500 Feet Composition Red Oxide The magnetic tape system has the following features: Variable block length from 2 to 1,024 words. The search order releases the machine for computation during search. Information which has been taken from a block and operated upon, can be automatically re-recorded in the same block. INPUT Media Speed Photoelectric Tape Reader 942 sexadec char/sec 78 words/sec Card Reader (IBM) 146 cards/min 8 words/card OUTPUT Media Speed Paper Tape Perf. 6 sexadec char/sec 30 words/min Teletypewriter 6 sexadec char/sec 30 words/min Card Punch 125 cards/min 1,000 words/min CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM Type Quantity Type Quantity Tubes, total 5,937 6Y6 1,000 6AN5 275 6J6 1,500 2D21 160 6AG7 1,127 6SN7 150 6V6 900 6AS6 50 6L6 275 Misc 500 Diodes, total 12,000 1N297 6,000 Misc 1,200 1N 34 4,800 Transistors, total 328 2N398 256 2N123 4 2N1008B 60 2N167 4 2N 43 4 CHECKING FEATURES Two arithmetic units perform computation simultaneously, discrepancies halt machine. Unused commands halt machine. Paper tape reader error detection. POWER, SPACE, WEIGHT, AND SITE PREPARATION Power, computer 52 K.W. Space, computer 490 sq. ft. floor Weight, computer 17,300 lbs. Power, sir cond. 25 K.W. Space, air cond. 6 sq. ft. floor Weight, air cond. 4,345 lbs. Capacity, air cond. 20 Tons PRODUCTION RECORD Number produced 1 Number in current operation 1 COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES Approximate cost, basic system $467,000 Rental rates for additional equipment I.B.M.card reader $82.50 per month I.B.M.card punch $93.50 per month PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS Typical Personnel Three 8-Hour Shifts Supervisors 6 Analysts 3 Programmers and Coders 14 Clerks 1 Engineers 1 Technicians 6 No engineers are assigned to the operation of the machine, but are used for development and design of additions to the machine. The technicians consult the engineers when a total break-down occurs. RELIABILITY, OPERATING EXPERIENCE, AND TIME AVAILABILITY Average error-free running time Approx. 8 hours Good time 145 hours/week Attempted to run time 168 hours/week Operating ratio 0.87 Figures based on last 3 years. The 23 hours per week are devoted to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, testing, modifications and improvements, time lost due to error, etc. The 145 hours are good, useful production time. EDVAC has been operating since 1949.
BRL 1961, EDVAC, start page 0239
Photo Synchronous Magnetic Drum U. S. Army Photo ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND REMARKS Oscilloscope and neon indicator for viewing contents of any storage locations at any time. Exceed capacity options: halt, ignore, transfer control, or go to selected location. Unused instruction (command) halt. Storage of previously executed instruction and which storage location it came from, for viewing during code checking. Storage of current instruction and storage location it originated from. Address halt when prescribed address appears in any of 4 addresses of instruction to be executed by computer. Tape reader error detection. Built in automatic floating point equipment. Magnetic tape auxiliary storage unit and high speed printing techniques are being investigated. Punching one card requires from 384 to 768 microseconds. The computer may proceed between cards. INSTALLATIONS Ballistic Research Laboratories Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland FUTURE PLANS A second magnetic drum system, of 16,128 words capacity is being added to the EDVAC. The transistorized track selector will permit channel switching in 48 microseconds.
BRL 1961, ELECOM 50, start page 0240

ELECOM 50

Electronic Computer Type 50 MANUFACTURER Underwood Corporation Electronic Computer Division
Photo Photo by Underwood Corporation, Electronic Computer Division APPLICATIONS Commercial (Out of Production) PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM Internal number system Decimal Decimal digits per word10 plus sign Instructions decoded42 plus combinations Arithmetic system Fixed point Number range .000001 to 99999999 ARITHMETIC UNIT Exclud Stor Access Microsec Add time 650 Mult time 39,000 Construction Vacuum tubes Rapid access word registers 3 Basic pulse repetition rate 67 Kc/sec Arithmetic mode Serial Timing Synchronous Operation Sequential One minor cycle is 650 microseconds. Multiplication requires 60 minor cycles. STORAGE Access Media Words Digits Microsec Magnetic Drum (Main) 1001,000 33,000 Magnetic Drum (Working 3 30 325 Registers) INPUT Media Speed Keyboard Manual Paper Tape 20 dec dig/sec OUTPUT Media Speed Printers (Two-gang) 10 char/sec Paper Tape 2 dec dig/sec The printers operate in parallel.
BRL 1961, ELECOM 50, start page 0241
CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM Tubes 160 Tube types 5 Crystal diodes 2,000 Number of different kinds of plug-in units 42 Number of separate cabinets, excluding power supplies and air conditioners 3 POWER. SPACE. WEIGHT. AND SITE PREPARATION Power, computer 2Kw Volume, computer 50 cu ft Area, computer 20 sq ft Weight, computer 750 lbs PRODUCTION RECORD System is out of production.As of June 1957, the following figures were reported: Produced 3 In production 50 Operating 3 On order 50 COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES Approximate cost of basic system $22,500 Rental rates of basic system$ 600/month (As of June 1957) PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS Manufacturer Daily OperationTech and Operators One 8-hour shift 1 Two 8-hour shifts 2 Three 8-hour shifts 3 RELIABILITY, OPERATING EXPERIENCE, AND TIME AVAILABILITY Manufacturer Average error-free running period 6 Hours ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND REMARKS Manufacturer Simple operation Programming by manufacturer 2,400 step program tape Interchangeable program tapes INSTALLATIONS (As of June 1957) Underwood Corporation Electronic Computer Division 35-10 36th Avenue Long Island City 6, New York (1) Underwood Corporation One Park Avenue New York, New York (2) American Telephone and Telegraph Company 195 Broadway New York 7, New York
BRL 1961, ELECOM 100, start page 0242

ELECOM 100

Electronic Computer Model 100 MANUFACTURER Underwood Corporation Electronic Computer Division
Photo Photo by Underwood Corporation, Electronic Computer Division APPLICATIONS Manufacturer Engineering and scientific. System not in production. U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground Missiles, aircraft systems accuracy, expansion of firing tables, fire control problems. Reeves Instrument Company The computer is owned by the U.S. Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics, and is operated by Reeves Instrument Company under Project Cyclone. PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM Internal number system Binary Binary digits per word 30 Binary digits/instruction 30 Instructions per word 1 Instructions decoded 8 Instructions used 8 Arithmetic system Fixed point Instruction type Three address Number range -(4-2-27) to (4-2-27) The 8 instructions include an "external operation" which, in turn, includes six different operations. Octal number system is used. ARITHMETIC UNIT Construction Vacuum tubes Basic pulse repetition rate 100 Kc/sec Arithmetic mode Serial Timing Synchronous (Magnetic Drum) Asynchronous (Magnetic Tape) Operation Sequential 25-50 operations persecond may be performed, in- cluding drum storage access. STORAGE Media Words Access Microsec Magnetic Drum 512 20,000 Magnetic Tape 60,000 Access time is the maximum value. One block of tape is equivalent to one channel on the drum (64 words). A transfer, or movement of one block takes approximately 2 seconds. INPUT OUTPUT Media Speed Typewriter (Flexowriter) Manual Paper Tape (Flexowriter) 7.5 octal dig/sec Typewriter 7.5 char dig/sec
BRL 1961, ELECOM 100, start page 0243
Photo Photo by U. S. Army Development and Proof Services CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM Tubes 230 Tube types 6 Crystal diodes 2,200 Separate cabinets 2 Number of different kinds of plug-in units 5 CHECKING FEATURES Overflow indication and halt Out of synchronous for tape and halt Engineering diagnostic tests POWER, SPACE, WEIGHT, AND SITE PREPARATION Power, computer 3.5 Kw Area, computer 120 sq ft PRODUCTION RECORD (June 1957 figures) Number produced 3 Number operating 3 System out of production COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES (June 1957 figures) Approximate cost of basic system $60,000. System is no longer in production. PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS One engineer and one technician required per 8 hour shift. RELIABILITY, OPERATING EXPERIENCE, AND TIME AVAILABILITY First unit passed acceptance test on 9 December 1952. U. S. Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground, D & PS Good time 1,471 Hours Attempted to run time 2,225 Hours Operating ratio (Good/Attempted to run time) 0.66 FUTURE PLANS System is no longer being manufactured. INSTALLATIONS Development and Proof Services Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland Reeves Instrument Corporation 215 E. 91st Street New York 28, New York
BRL 1961, ELECOM 120, start page 0244

ELECOM 120

Electronic Computer Model 120 MANUFACTURER Underwood Corporation Electronic Computer Division
Photo Photo by Underwood Corporation, Electronic Computer Division APPLICATIONS Manufacturer Engineering and scientific applications. (out of production). Westinghouse Electric Corporation Located at the Kansas City, Missouri, Engineering Department, the system is used for all types scientific computing, e.g. mechanical design, and stress calculations, and for semi-automatic data reduction. Shell Development Company Located at 3737 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas, the system is used for scientific calculations arising in research and for data processing. RADC Griffiss Air Force Base Located in Bldg. 102, RADC, Griffiss AFB, N. Y., the system is used for scientific and engineering applications. PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM Internal number system Decimal Decimal digits/word 8 plus sign Decimal digits/instruction 10 Instructions per word 1 Instructions decoded 33 Instructions used 33 Arithmetic system Fixed and floating point Instruction type Two address Number range Fixed point -(10-10-10) <= n <= (1-10-10) Floating point Exponent -50 _< c <_ 49 Coefficient -(1-10-8) <= c <= (1-10-8) Floating point operation is optional and is supplied with fixed point at extra cost. ARITHMETIC UNIT Manufacturer Exclud Stor Access Microsec Add time 330 Mult time 18,300 Div time 18,700 Construction Vacuum tubes and crystal diodes Rapid access word registers 3 Basic pulse repetition rate 105 Kc/sec Arithmetic mode Serial Timing Synchronous Operation Sequential Above operation times are for average 10 digit multiplier, dividend and divisor, respectively.
BRL 1961, ELECOM 120, start page 0245
Photo Photo by Griffiss Air Force Base, RADC STORAGE Manufacturer Access Media Words Microsec Magnetic Drum 1,000-10,000 8,300 avg. Magnetic Drum 10-100 1,670 avg. Main storage is on single head per channel basis. Fast access storage is a group of recirculating channels. Griffiss AFB Access Media Words Digits Microsec Magnetic Drum1,000 8 plus sign 20,000 max. 330 min. Magnetic Tape (2) 125,000 8 plus sign1,600 (Potter Mod 902) Shell Magnetic Drum 1,000 8 plus sign 20 000 max Magnetic Tape 100,000 8 plus sign 106.50 word Westinghouse Drum 1,010 8 330 INPUT Manufacturer Media Speed Typewriter Manual and 8 char/sec Paper Tape reader 8 to 1+00 char/sec Magnetic Tape 400 char/sec The typewriter is standard equipment. The high-speed paper tape reader is optional. One magnetic tape unit is supplied as standard equipment. Standard model includes controls for additional tape units. Griffiss AFB Paper Tape (Flexowriter)8 char/sec Paper Tape (Ferranti)200 char/sec Keyboard (Flexowriter)Manual Shell Paper Tape (Flexowriter)1 word/sec Paper Tape (Ferranti)20 words/sec Keyboard (Flexowriter)Manual For program check-out and manual modification of program on data. Paper tape reading system does not operate satisfactorily. There is no error detection in reading. Westinghouse Paper Tape 200 char/sec Paper Tape (Flexowriter)8 char/sec
BRL 1961, ELECOM 120, start page 0246
Photo OUTPUT Manufacturer Media Speed Typewriter 8 char/sec Paper Tape 8 or 60 char/sec Magnetic Tape 400 char/sec Typewriter is standard equipment. High speed paper tape punch is optional. Griffiss AFB Typewriter (Flexowriter) 8 char/sec Shell Typewriter (Flexowriter) 1 word/sec Paper Tape (Flexowriter) 1 word/sec Paper Tape (Yawman)6 words/sec Westinghouse Paper Tape60 char/sec Paper Tape (Flexowriter) 8 char/sec Typewriter (Flexowriter) 8 char/sec CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM Tubes 400 Crystal diodes 4,500 95,% of tubes are of two basic types. This system utilizes the 12AT7, 6CL6, 5687, and 2051 in the arithmetic unit.Diodes used are 1N34A, 1N140 and 1N91. CHECKING FEATURES Internal check for forbidden pulse combinations and check of drum-writing operations. Parity check on tapes with automatic re-read. POWER, SPACE, WEIGHT, AND SITE PREPARATION Manufacturer Power, computer 5 to 7 Kw Volume, computer 200 cu ft Weight, computer 3,500 lbs These figures are for computer complete with control desk and one tape unit. Griffiss AFB Power, computer 7 Kw 7.5 KVA 0.9 pf Volume, computer 200 cu ft Area, computer 50 sq ft Room size 400 sq ft Weight, computer 4,500 lbs Computer sets on locally fabricated false floor. Air conditioner is shared with many other equipments.
BRL 1961, ELECOM 120, start page 0247
Photo Photo by Republic Aviation Corporation Shell Power, computer 7 Kw 7.5 KVA 0.9 pf Volume, computer 200 cu ft Area, computer 93 sq ft Room size 10 ft x 20 ft Floor loading 35 lbs/sq ft Weight, computer 3,500 lbs Sound-proof material on walls. Exhaust system. Two tons additional air-conditioning in air-conditione room. Westinghouse Power, computer 5 Kw 5 KVA Power, air cond 4.4 KVA 0.8 pf Volume, computer 250 cu ft Volume, air conditioner42 cu ft Area, computer 95 sq ft Area, air conditioner 6.5 sq ft Room size, computer20 ft x 20 ft Room size, air conditioner5 ft x 4 ft min Floor loading 40 lbs/sq ft 800 lbs concen max Capacity, air conditioner5 Tons Weight, computer 4,000 lbs Weight, air conditioner940 lbs Power distribution transformer. 5 ton air conditioner. PRODUCTION RECORD (June 1957) Number produced 5 Number in operation 5 System is no longer in production. COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES Manufacturer (June 1957) Approximate cost of basic system $97,000. Rental rates of basic system $3,500/month for complete sys- tem, including maintenance. System is out of production. Griffiss AFB System purchased at $90,000 plus $35,000 for addi- tional equipment. Shell Purchased at $90,000, for central processor, control desk,Ferranti reader, Yawman punch, and Potter tape device. Westinghouse Basic system purchased at $90,000. Additional equipment High Speed Punch $ 3,600 Photo Electric Reader5,000 (2) Flexowriters 5,200 Test Equipment 2,000
BRL 1961, ELECOM 120, start page 0248
Photo Photo by Shell Development Company, Exploration and Production Research Division Card to tape converter rents at $85. Maintenance performed by local computer group. PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS One 8-Hour Two 8-Hour Three 8-Hour Shift Shifts Shifts Engineers 1 2 3 Tech and Operators 1 2 3 Griffiss AFB One 8-Hour Shift Used Recommended Engineers 1 1 Operation tends toward closed shop. Methods of training used include instruction manuals and on- the-job training. Shell Five persons are utilized with the system, covering two 8- hour shifts and performing the functions of supervision, analysis, programming, coding, operating, and engineering. Westinghouse One 8-Hour Shift Used Recommended Supervisors 1 1 Analysts 0 1 Programmers 3 3 Coders 3 4 Clerks 0 2 Operators 1 1 Engineers 1 1 Operation tends toward open shop. Methods of training include on-the-job training, formal classes, assign new personnel to work with experienced. All system information for Elecom 120 only. Magnetic tape use has been discontinued. RELIABILITY, OPERATING EXPERIENCE, AND TIME AVAILABILITY Operating ratio (Good/Attempted to run) 0.90 to 0.95 Figure based on eight month period. Above up-times (machine time available for problem work divided by total time reported for 5 Elecom 120 Computer installations. At one location, up-times of 100% and 99.9% were obtained for two successive months.
BRL 1961, ELECOM 120, start page 0249
Photo Photo by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Aviation Gas Turbine Division Shell Average error-free running period 5 Hours Good time 80 Hours/Week (Average) Attempted to run time 100 Hours/Week (Average) Operating ratio (Good/Attempted to run time) 0.80 Above figures based on period from Jun 59 to May 60 Passed Customer Acceptance Test Jun 54 Time is not available for rent to outside organiza- tions. Westinghouse Good time 60 Hours/Week (Average) Attempted to run time 62 Hours/Week (Average) Operating ratio (Good/Attempted to run time) 0.97 Above figures based on period from May 54 to Apr 60 Passed Customer Acceptance Test May 54 Time is not available for rent to outside organiza- tions. Above time is average for a 6 year period. Drastic changes in scheduled work load have occurred during this time. ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND REMARKS Westinghouse An outstanding feature is the high speed input-output, compared to internal speed mixture of numeric and alphebetic information. System is very good with automatic data taking and plotting equipment. Little is given to magnetic tape protection except air conditioning for temperature. Little preventive maintenance done. Circuit modifications have been made that increase reliability. 6677 tubes to replace 6CL6 have improved system. FUTURE PLANS Shell Retirement is planned during last quarter of 1960. INSTALLATIONS Rome Air Development Center Griffiss Air Force Base, New York Shell Development Company 3737 Bellaire Blvd. Houston, Texas Westinghouse Electric Company, Box 288 Kansas City, Missouri
BRL 1961, ELECOM 125 125 FP, start page 0250

ELECOM 125 125 FP

Elecom Type 125 Computer and Elecom Type 125 File Processor MANUFACTURER Underwood Corporation Electronic Computer Division
Photo Photo by Underwood Corporation, Electronic Computer Division APPLICATIONS Manufacturer Commercial, engineering and scientific. The Elecom 125FP is primarily commercial. The system is no longer in production. Sandia Corporation Located in Building 880 at the Sandia Corporation, Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Elecom 125 is used for scientific computation and engineering studies. PROGRAMMING AND NUMERICAL SYSTEM Internal number system Decimal Decimal digits/word 10 and sign Decimal. digits/instruction 10 Instructions/word 1 Instructions decoded 36 Instructions used 36 Arithmetic system Floating and fixed Instruction type Two address Number range Coefficient range -(1-10-8) <= c <= (1-10-8) Exponent range -50 <= e <= 49 Fixed point range-(1-10-10) <= n <= (1-10-10) Floating point is optional at extra cost and is additional to fixed point. Fixed point is standard. The Elecom 125FP utilizes 2 decimal dig/alpha char. It operates on "Items" containing any integral number of words. Fixed program, switch-selected; sequence, collate, select, collate and select, separate, and substitute. The following combinational operations are available as an option: Select-separate, collate-separate, substitute-separate, collate-select- separate. ARITHMETIC UNIT Exclud Stor Access Microsec Add time 330 Molt time 18,300 Div time 18,700 Construction Vacuum tubes Rapid access word registers 3 Basic pulse repetition rate 132 Kc/sec Arithmetic mode Serial Timing Synchronous Operation Sequential Above operation time is based on average 10 decimal digit multiplier, dividend and divisor. Sandia Corporation Incl Stor Access Exclud Stor Access Microsec Microsec Add time 3,500 330 Milt time 22,000 18,000 Div time 22,000 18,000 The above figures are obtained for 10 digit numbers.
BRL 1961, ELECOM 125 125 FP, start page 0251
STORAGE Access Media Words Microsec Magnetic Drum 4,000 to 10,000 8,300 avg. Magnetic Drum 50 to 100 1,670 avg. Main storage operates on a single head per channel basis. The rapid-access storage is a recirculation channel. The Elecom 125 FP has a 100 word acoustic delay line. Sandia Corp. Media Words Digits Magnetic Drum 4,000 10 plus sign Paper Tape Magnetic Tape INPUT Media Speed Typewriter 8 char/sec and Manual Paper Tape 8 to 400 char/sec Magnetic Tape 6,000 char/sec Cards (IBM 528 or similar) The typewriter is standard equipment. The high speed tape reader and punched card unit is optional. Magnetic tape synchronizing circuits and controls are included as standard equipment. The Elecom 125 FP unit is utilized in conjunction with magnetic tape and typewriter. The typewriter and punched paper tape are used for checking and control. Sandia Corp. Paper Tape 400 char/sec Magnetic Tape 7,500 char/sec Manual OUTPUT Media Speed Typewriter 8 char/sec Paper Tape 8 or 60 char/sec Magnetic Tape 6,000 char/sec Cards (IBM 523) 6,000 char/sec Tabulation (IBM 407) Typewriter is standard equipment. High speed paper tape and card equipment are optional. Sandia Corp. Typewriter (Flexowriter) 8 char/sec Paper Tape 60 char/sec Magnetic Tape 7,500 char/sec CIRCUIT ELEMENTS OF ENTIRE SYSTEM Manufacturer Tubes 450 for Elecom 125; 250 for 125 FP Diodes 2,500 for Elecom 125 FP 95% of the tubes are of 2 types. Tube types used are the 6CL6, 12AT7, 5687, and the 5670. CHECKING FEATURES Manufacturer Internal check for forbidden pulse combinations Check of drum writing circuits Parity check on tape with automatic re-read. The Elecom 125 FP makes a parity check on all data. Sandia Corp. Magnetic tape circuits contain check to determine if block read contains same number of digits as block contained when written. Automatic re-read takes place if error is detected. The storage signals are continuously monitored for forbidden combinations. POWER, SPACE, WEIGHT, AND SITE PREPARATION Power, computer 5-7 Kw Volume, computer400 cu ft Weight, computer4,000 lbs Capacity, air conditioner 5 Tons Volume and weight figures are for computer (complete) with control desk and three tape units. Room air conditioning is recommended. No built-in air conditioning is supplied with system. Elecom 125 FP requires 7 Kw and occupies 200 cu ft, including control desk and 5 magnetic tape units. Five tons of room air conditioning is recommended. No built-in air conditioning is supplied with system. Sandia Corp. Power, computer 20 KVA Power, air conditioner2 KVA Volume, computer250 cu ft Area, computer 50 sq ft Weight, computer8,000 lbs Site preparation includes platforms over connecting cables, duct work over units to draw air through units for cooling, and normal dust prevention. PRODUCTION RECORD Manufacturer (June 1957 figures) Number produced 6 In production 2 Number in operation 6 On Order 3 System is no longer in production. COST, PRICE AND RENTAL RATES Manufacturer (June 1957 figures) Price Computer only $155,000 Computer System with File Processor 350,000 to 450,000 File Processor only 85,000 Monthly Rental Computer only $4,185 Computer System with File Processor 8,500 to 9,500 File Processor only 2,295 Sandia Corp. Console, main frame, power supply, storage, tape drive (4 ea.), paper tape punch, Ferranti, paper tape reader, and Flexowriter cost $122,500. Three Flexowriters are used at a total cost of $7,578. PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS One 8-Hour Two 8-Hour Three 8-Hour Shift Shifts Shifts Engineers 1 2 3 Tech & Operators 1 2 3 Above figures are the same for the File Processor. Sandia Corp. One operator, trained on the job, is required. Present use is primarily for engineering studies with job requestor operating facility himself.
BRL 1961, ELECOM 125 125 FP, start page 0252
RELIABILITY, OPERATING EXPERIENCE, AND TIME AVAILABILITY Manufacturer Operating ratio (Good/Attempted to run) 0.90 to 0.95 Figures based on an eight-month period. Above up-times (machine time available for problem work divided by total time) reported for 5 Elecom 120 computer installations. (Much of the Elecom 125 internal circuitry is substantially the same as that of Elecom 120). At one location, up times of 100% and 99.9% were obtained for two successive months. Sandia Corp. System is used very little at present time. ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND REMARKS Manufacturer Two (2) four-digit base registers (B-boxes) are included as standard equipment. An important partner in the Elecom 125 System is the Elecom File Processor. This is an entirely sep- arate piece of equipment, designed and engineered to handle the sequencing, collating, extracting and similar operations necessary in day-to-day business applications. The Elecom File Processor extracts from the vol- uminous "Library Tapes", the particular items upon which processing is to be done. It is the job of the Elecom File Processor to pick the pertinent items out of the tape file, so that the associated Computer wastes no time in "searching" through un- wanted items. Once the items have been processed by the Elecom 125 Computer the Elecom File Processor puts them back into their proper place (in sequence) in the main file. The picture shows the Elecom File Processor on the left, the Elecom 125 Computer on the right. The Magnetic Tape Units and the Magnetic Tape Inter- connecting panel are in the rear. The Elecom High- Speed Line Printer is not shown. FUTURE PLANS Manufacturer Elecom Universal Data Converter - A device for transcribing data between Elecom magnetic tapes and those of other manufacturers. In addition, the con- verter will be able to handle punched paper tape and punched cards. The converter is designed to make the Elecom 125 System, or the Elecom 125 Computer compatible with the input/output from it to any other data processing equipment currently manufactured. INSTALLATIONS (As of June 1957) Sandia Corporation (2) Albuquerque, New Mexico Underwood Corporation (1) Data Processing Center New York City, New York The Texas Company Houston, Texas Sylvania Electric Corporation (1) Waltham, Massachusetts [ page 253 is blank ]


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