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benhc123
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I am wondering how I would create a really simple electronic calculator/computer
benhc123 said:I am wondering how I would create a really simple electronic calculator/computer
sophiecentaur said:Hi and welcome.
Unless you know a lot about basic circuit design and have a lot of experience of circuit building then I would say the project would be unlikely to succeed. If only one in a hundred of your solder joints is dry or connected wrongly, the device will not work and testing it could be a nightmare.
There are many less complicated digital projects that would be fun and instructive to go for first.
Sorry to be a damper but they haven't made 'discrete' processors since the 60's - for good reason.
A calculator/computer doesn't necessarily mean assembling a bunch of logic chips. You could make a simple Electronic Analog Computer which uses electrical components, such as capacitors, inductors, resistors, and operational amplifiers to model physical systems of linear mechanical components.benhc123 said:I am wondering how I would create a really simple electronic calculator/computer
dlgoff said:For example, here's how you would add several inputs (in volts) to get the output sum (in volts).
sophiecentaur said:@digoff
You are totally right about the analogue computer and the OP amp in that diagram could be replaced by a very few discrete transistors. That may not be what the OP intended, though; the last time I actually saw an analog computer (explicitly used as such) in use was in the late 60s - just before the advent of Digital Computers for all.
berkeman said:(Actually, the output voltage of this circuit is the negative sum of the inputs...)
minus 2 points, sign error. :tongue:berkeman said:(Actually, the output voltage of this circuit is the negative sum of the inputs...)
mheslep said:minus 2 points, sign error. :tongue:
dlgoff said:Can't get away with anything here.
A transistor computer works by using transistors, which are tiny electronic devices that can switch electrical signals on and off. These transistors are connected together to form logic gates, which are the basic building blocks of a computer's central processing unit (CPU). The CPU then executes instructions, performs calculations, and controls the flow of data through the computer's memory and other components.
To make a basic transistor computer, you will need transistors, resistors, capacitors, and diodes. You will also need a power supply, a clock signal, and a way to input and output data. Additionally, you will need a circuit board or breadboard to connect all of the components together.
Programming a transistor computer involves writing instructions in machine language, which consists of binary code (0s and 1s). These instructions are then stored in the computer's memory and executed by the CPU. This process requires a deep understanding of computer architecture and logic gates.
A basic transistor computer can perform many simple tasks, such as basic arithmetic operations and data storage. However, it is not capable of performing complex tasks like modern computers, which have advanced processors and software.
A transistor computer is much simpler than a modern computer. It has a limited instruction set and executes instructions in a sequential manner. Additionally, it does not have a graphical user interface or the ability to run multiple applications at once. However, modern computers are built on the same basic principles of transistor computers, but with much more advanced technology and capabilities.