On 03/13/2016 05:32 AM, Ben Greenfield wrote:
I have one simple specific question, without a simple answer and general call for examples.
I’m researching timing clocks used in general purpose digital computing. I’m starting to think that Ace/Pilot Ace by Alan Turing is the start of clock based general purpose computers. I’m starting to conclude the earlier computers were all basically clocked by the media holding the instructions.
Is this correct?
I’m currently looking for examples of general purpose computers that do not use crystal based clocks.
Any thoughts appreciated.
I don't think this is really what you're looking for, but since it popped into my head I'd mention it just in case. The built-in console port on the PDP-11/05 and 11/10 processor board set uses an RC oscillator as a baud rate generator. It's very common in the modern microcontroller space. The SiLabs EFM32 ARM family has built-in RC clock generators, in particular, as do many others. The Green Arrays GA144 Forth array processor, positioned as a general-purpose microcontroller, takes it a step further with an asynchronous, i.e. non-clocked, design. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA