Is it possible to have some sort of magnetic viewer for these cores? Or is the field too weak? It would be cool to have some sort of visualizer besides LEDs being on or off. Maybe an internal oscilloscope of sorts to look at the magnetization curve? This could probably be done with one of the controller's ADCs and sampling the sense amplifier? Then output to a cheap LCD or OLED display. Absolutely brilliant project!
Interesting idea! I've tried to use magnetic paper to visualize the action in the core, but I think the field is extremely weak, and it's fully captured in the loop of the core, so there is nothing left externally to see. Maybe there are other ways? I like the idea of indicating the pulses either on the LED array (would be more suitable for the Core64) or on an optional OLED SAO screen. It would also be helpful for diagnosing failures in the core matrix. I've added it to the TODO list!
Certainly possible, although connecting/disconnecting the wire from the end of the needle needs to be extremely low profile. I understand that when the companies manufacturing core memories became highly automated, they ran a hollow needle through the matrix, and then a wire inside that. Then they secured the exposed end of the wire and retracted the hollow needle.
Because he can and is fun? Also this type of RAM may be old design, to big and not able to save much info, but was totally battle tested, literally, was used by the military for ages and was used in space by NASA with high success. Don't take me wrong thou, I'm not saying we should return to it, modern RAM and ROM memory, is way more useful but is good to know other alternatives exist, even if older and their pros and cons.
Is it possible to have some sort of magnetic viewer for these cores? Or is the field too weak? It would be cool to have some sort of visualizer besides LEDs being on or off. Maybe an internal oscilloscope of sorts to look at the magnetization curve? This could probably be done with one of the controller's ADCs and sampling the sense amplifier? Then output to a cheap LCD or OLED display. Absolutely brilliant project!
Interesting idea! I've tried to use magnetic paper to visualize the action in the core, but I think the field is extremely weak, and it's fully captured in the loop of the core, so there is nothing left externally to see. Maybe there are other ways? I like the idea of indicating the pulses either on the LED array (would be more suitable for the Core64) or on an optional OLED SAO screen. It would also be helpful for diagnosing failures in the core matrix. I've added it to the TODO list!
I always imagined them being threaded with a sewing needle. Isn't that possible ?
Certainly possible, although connecting/disconnecting the wire from the end of the needle needs to be extremely low profile. I understand that when the companies manufacturing core memories became highly automated, they ran a hollow needle through the matrix, and then a wire inside that. Then they secured the exposed end of the wire and retracted the hollow needle.
It is better that you are doing this than I because my eyes hurt just watching you weave.
Watching this makes want to start working with my cores again 🙂
….why?
It's a very long lasting, highly resistant, low power form of memory storage
Because he can and is fun?
Also this type of RAM may be old design, to big and not able to save much info, but was totally battle tested, literally, was used by the military for ages and was used in space by NASA with high success.
Don't take me wrong thou, I'm not saying we should return to it, modern RAM and ROM memory, is way more useful but is good to know other alternatives exist, even if older and their pros and cons.