One Bit Ferrite Core Memory

Core Breadboard
This is awesome! Wayne’s Tinkering Page: One Bit Ferrite Core Memory

Before solid state memories appeared and devastated the market for magnetic core, I had schemed to build my own computer using a surplus core stack I kept in my garage for years and years.  But, the new darling of the era, the Intel 8008 caught my eye and these plans were long forgotten.  But, in the back of my mind, I’ve always wondered if I had the “chops” to build a magnetic core memory that would actually work.  I’m a pretty decent digital designer, but my analog skills are not as strong and, to be honest, the whole process seemed a bit funky.  But, the bug to try bit me one day, so I set out to do a few experiments and find out if I could make it all work.  Most of the components used to build these old memory systems, such as X/Y drivers and sense amplifiers have been obsolete, and virtually unobtainable for many, many years.  But, with some creative substitutions, I’ve come up with a simple, one bit design that demonstrates all the basic principles of a working, coincident current, ferrite core memory.


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1 Comment

  1. i’ll second that — awesome!! 😀

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