Analog Computers

Historical Document

MICROSTORE Model 2.395 — Product Information Release (PIR 6219)

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A six-page Product Information Release (PIR 6219) from Electronic Associates, Inc. describing the MICROSTORE Model 2.395, a completely integrated solid-state accessory for the PACE 231R Analog Computing System. The unit provides high-speed tracking, storage, and switching of analog data points using solid-state electronic gates with a total switching time under 5 microseconds, and supports real-time and repetitive operation modes determined entirely by patching. Specifications include ±10 V outputs, up to 10 track-and-hold gate inputs, 200 V/µs slew capability, and a control comparator with 10 mV differential sensitivity; the release also surveys general applications such as curve fitting, boundary value problems, optimization, and stagewise simulations.

Manufacturer
EAI
System
PACE 231R / MICROSTORE Model 2.395
Type
Historical Document
Language
English
Learning track
machine reference
Pages
6
Credit
PIR 6219. Electronic Associates, Inc., Long Branch, New Jersey. Printed in USA.
  • PACE 231R / MICROSTORE Model 2.395
  • EAI
  • analog data storage
  • track-and-hold
  • electronic switching
  • PACE 231R accessory

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MICROSTORE Model 2.395 — Product Information Release (PIR 6219)

PRODUCT 1NFORMATION RELEA SI An Accessory for PACE 231R Analog Computing Systems. MICROSTORE Model 2.395 a completely integrated solid-state system for the high -speed tracking, storage and switching of analog data points. outstanding features of the PACE MICROSTORE Completely Solid-State Circuits for Maintenance-Free Operation @ Total Switching Time Froni‘Track’’ to ‘Store”’of Less Than 5 Microseconds e Switching Controlled from Either Master Control Unit or Electronic Control Comparator @ Uncommitted Patch Panel Terminations for Increased Versatility — Mode of Operation is Determined by Patching — Converts Storage or High Gain Amplifier to a Switching Element e Control Comparator Can be Operated as Solid-State Relay for Either Repetitive or Real- Time Operation @ Special ‘‘Latching’’ Input to Comparator Reduces the Number of Storage Elements Required in any Given Problem @ Plug-In Modularized Design — Can be Field Installed in Existing 231R Computers *MICROSTORE is a trademark of Electronic Associates, Inc. (EAI reserves the right to revise its product specifications in accordance with its continuing program of product development.) ELECTRONIC ASSOCIATES, INC., Long Branch, New Jersey PRINTED IN USA PIR 6219 New EAI MICROSTORE Accessory Expands the Versatility of Repetitively Operated PA C E°All-Electronic Analog Computing Systems. With the addition of the MICROSTORE accessory the PACE 231R Analog Computer can now perform point storage functions in real time and at repetitive operation speeds — and with the precision and reliability of the PACE wide bandwidth computing components the concept of point storage for the solution of pro- blems on the analog computer takes on new significance. MICROSTORE combines with the PACE. High Speed Repetitive Operation System to add still more versatility to the EAI family of precision analog com- puting equipment. PACE 231R Computing System equipped with High Speed Repetitive Operation (HSRO) and Dis- play Unit. The combination of MICROSTORE and accurate high-speed repetitive operation makes possible many new techniques and applications for the analog computer. The HSRO accessory permits the computer to be operated alternately as a real-time or repetitive computing device — repetitive solution times of from 10 to 80 milli- seconds are available — with no loss in real time computing accuracy. Change from real-time to repetitive operation is accomplished by a single control — without reprogramming or repatching the problem. Display unit allows simultaneous display of up to eight variables on an electron- ically generated display grid. Typical MICROSTORE Pre-Patch Panel layout. Terminations labeled + and — signify comparator outputs according to the algebraic sum of its input signals. PATCH PANEL TERMINATIONS are of the un- committed type permitting maximum flexibility in the use of the MICROSTORE logic units. Two gates and one electronic control comparator are terminated in a single patching module ~ up to ten such modules may be conveniently placed on a standard 231R Pre-Patch Panel. MICROSTORE operation requires only the use of high gain amplifiers with associated network resistors — any standard summer or summer-inte- grator amplifier may be utilized with appropriate patching. Three general functional modes of operation are possible — the patching determines the mode of operation obtained. TRACK AND STORE Patching for normal track and store operation is shown below. Input and feedback resistors are patched from the amplifier network. The ampli- fier mode is determined by the polarity of the switch input (SW); if the input is negative, the amplifier will TRACK; if the input is positive, the amplifier will STORE. This input is pro- vided by either the master drive unit or the con- trol comparator. Gout if "SW'=—5v,@out =—@in if "SW"=+5v,@o 428 SW »& out ~ “stored CIRCUIT 2A Computer symbol for Track and Store Amplifier. Switching signals are obtained from the master drive unit or a control comparator. ELECTRONIC SWITCHING Since the MICROSTORE gates are essentially precision electronic ON-OFF switches they may be utilized to perform high speed switching. When patched as shown below, the gate will pass an input voltage to an amplifier when it is ON (posi- tive switching voltage) thus, utilizing two gates and a comparator, a high speed SPDT switch is obtained. Switch control voltages may be ob- tained from either the master drive unit or from the electronic control comparator as shown. If Ey, =+5 volts, eg = —eyjn, or if Ep, = —5 volts €(Q = —e9in, regardless of the inputs at E1 and E2. With no input on EL, if El + E2 > +10 mv, eg =—e]jn or if El + E2 < -10 mv, Eg = —e9in. *@ in 10 Gate |S SW E2 —LIF SW +@2 in 10 G T-S ; 10 Gate |S CIRCUIT 2B Computer Symbol for Track and Store Gate MASTER CONTROL UNIT A plug-in chassis provides regulated solid-state power supplies to supply power for the operation of up to ten MICROSTORE modules, and a Master Drive Unit for controlling the track-store gates. The master drive control card is a transistorized, plug-in printed circuit unit which provides a bi- polar square wave for controlling track-store gates under computer mode control. It receives the REP-OP drive as an input and converts this signal by suitable shaping and adjustable time delay into two complementary outputs of plus and minus five volts. These control voltages can than be used to control the operation of track-store units as desired. TRACK AND STORE GATE NETWORK These networks contain the high-speed switching circuits necessary for the control of the so-called MICROSTORE track-store gates may be used for high-speed switching functions or in conjunction with a sum- “track-store’’ amplifier storage. ming amplifier to provide tracking and storage of problem voltages. Each network contains a stor- age capacitor and a six-diode gate that is capable of operating as a precision electronic ON-OFF switch. The gate is turned ON or OFF by the +5 volt control signals generated by the Master Drive Unit or the Electronic Control Comparators. Two gate networks and a control comparator are mounted in a plug-in module which is inserted into the rear of the computer patch bay, within the temperature stabilized oven. ELECTRONIC CONTROL COMPARATOR The control comparator provides a means of con- trolling the MICROSTORE gates from an alge- braic summation of two problem variable inputs. Two outputs are available for controlling the gate mode with a negative sum of comparator input voltages; one output is negative five volts and the othér output is positive five volts. When the summation becomes positive, the output state A third comparator ‘‘latching’’ input (Ey) is available for overriding the other two in- puts. This input allows a control signal of +5 volts (either from mode control or problem vari- reverses, ables) to maintain a desired mode of the com- parator regardless of the summation of input volt- ages. The latching feature is effective for over- riding the comparator inputs during the computer RESET mode to maintain a stored value until the next OPERATE cycle, thus saving a track- store network. Some General Applications of the PACE MICROSTORE, MICROSTORE increases the versatility of the PACE Analog Computers. It extends the useful- ness of analog computation by providing precision components for performing high-speed switching and simulation of logic functions for real-time and repetitive computations. Its high speed memory capabilities extend the range of analog applications by making it possible to solve pro- blems in a sequential manner with the accom- panying economic benefits of time-sharing of computing components and by the solution of equations through the use of high-speed iterative procedures. DATA AND CURVE FITTING — Problems often arise where it is desired to establish suitable ‘‘mechanisms’’ or equations whose solution mat- ches that of experimental data gathered from a real process. When the data is a series of points track-store units may be employed to pick-off the point solutions for comparison purposes. If the data is in curve form a technique employing automatic parameter changes may be used where the circuits for evaluating the error criterion and making parameter changes utilize MICROSTORE units. BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS — This impor- tant class of problems involves the solution of differential equations in which the problem is to find the initial conditions for which the solu- tions (a) are stable, periodic or continuous, or (b) satisfy certain specified final conditions. Automatic solution techniques are sometimes use- ful where the initial conditions are varied until the error is reduced to zero. The use of MICRO- STORE memory together with simple iterative techniques represents a powerful tool for such problems. STAGEWISE CALCULATIONS — Many of the separation operations in chemical engineering are calculated in a serial or stage-wise manner where the results of one calculation are required as inputs to the next calculation, but the equa- tions remain essentially the same. MICROSTORE is ideally suited for the solution of such problems as a storage device for the results of each calcu- lation whether computation is made in real time or repetitive operation. SERIAL SOLUTION OF PARTIAL DIFFEREN- TIAL EQUATIONS = The solution of partial differential equations used to represent physical systems often requires excessive non-linear equip- ment when parallel solution is attempted. Serial solution is sometimes effective where the repeti- tion of circuitry is traded for a single basic circuit together with storage and interpolation schemes. Iterative techniques may also be effectively employed. The accuracy problems inherent in curve generation from point storage must be considered but this approach represents an area where MICROSTORE may be used to advantage. OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES — Various kinds of sampling and storage are required for system optimization whether ‘‘on-line’’ in a plant or as a computational technique. The use of MICRO- STORE track-store units permits automatic para- meter evaluation to be extended to that of model or plant optimization by automatic techniques in which process variables (real or simulated) are changed to satisfy an economic or other criterion. Technical Data INSTALLATION — The MICROSTORE accessory may be installed in the field by an EAT Field Engineer. Standard Expansion Group, Model 2,395, provides five MICROSTORE modules and the wiring for a total of ten. Five additional MICROSTORE modules are added by Expansion Group, Model 2.396. SPECIFICATIONS Control Comparator Sensitivity oer 10mv differential Switching Time oo... ceeeccscceeesesceeescsseseeesnes 10 psec Signal Input Impedance ........... eee 50,000 ohms Outputs two control channels of +5V each Driving Capability ....up to 10 track and hold gates Track and Hold Gate (With standard .005 mf capacitor) D.C. Offset oo. cceeeeseeeeeeseeeeseneeesseneaes +10 mv Switching Input... eee eeereee eres +5 volts A.C, Offset oo cece ceesee secs aeeeenesaeraeeeeeae £25 mv Switching Time oo... ceeteeeeees 5 microseconds Drift in Hold (with any input from 0 to 100 volts)... beseueescesseeseceesseeecensesenensees 80 mv/sec for 8 hour period Frequency Response (200 volts p-p input) Max. Inst. Error (includes amplitude error plus phase shift) Cps. 100 0.2 volts 500 1.5 volts 1000 2.5 volts Master Drive Unit Outputs oo... two control channels of +5V each Delay (Used to compensate for any mechanical delay induced by rep. op. choppers) .........:ceeeeee be seeeeeseesseeeseesteesaeesseeaees variable from 100 to 500 usec Driving Capability .............. at least 20 T & H gates sales offices EASTERN REGIONAL OFFICE Long Branch, New Jersey Telephone: CApital 9-1100 TWX —- LG BR 896 CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE 101 South Pine Street Mount Prospect, Illinois Telephone: CLearbrook 5-6070 TWX ~ ARL HTS 3315 SOUTH WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 108 Prentice Bldg. 4515 Prentice Street Dallas 6, Texas Telephone: EMerson 1-6165 WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE 1500 East Imperial Highway El Segundo, California Telephone: EAstgate 2-3124 TWX - EL SEG 4222 CONTINENTAL REGIONAL OFFICE Centre International, 22nd Floor Place Rogier, Brussels 1, Belgium Cable: PACEBELG Brussels Telephone: Brussels 18-40-04 Telex: 2.21-106 UK & SCANDINAVIAN REGIONAL OFFICE Electronic Associates, Ltd. Victoria Road, Burgess Hill Sussex, England Telephone: Burgess Hill (Sussex) 2636