DoPECC: Wang 360SE Technology

Electronics

Discrete diode-transistor circuits, hardwired logic

Architecture, Memory & Speed

• 10 displayed digits, 4 hidden digits for precision, 1 sign digit and 1decimal position digit = 16 digit word.
• Digits encoded as 4-bit BCD, digit-serial processing over 4-bit internal bus
• Core memory, 4 users x 4 registers x 16 digits x 4 bits = 1024 cores

Construction

The SE versions were built as extensions of the base E version, using many of the same circuit cards in an extended chassis.

The backplane in this SE is wired, using clips to connect each wire rather than solder or wire-wrap. Wire-wrap is a very robust and reliable connection technique, the clip method has many fewer points of close metal-metal contact and it remains to be seen if it will be so reliable in the long term.

The powe supply is based on the (simple / primitive) 360E design.