28 Jan
2011
28 Jan
'11
12:18 p.m.
Chuck wrote:
I don;t think I would consider the 14500 on its own as a 'computer'. But
I don't see why a computer can't be built using one or more of them.
FWIW, I don't think the Z80 (replace with your vavourit MPU) is a
computer. But it can certaiuly be used as the processor in something I
would call a computer.
Would you consider the MC14500 to be a
"computer"?
Tony wrote:
More seriously, from what you say, I think I
would consider it a computer
in some applications but maybe not in all.
Note that the MC14500B did not contain a program counter. It was really
just a one-bit ALU with a small amount of logic to interface to an
external sequencer. That sequencer could simply be a binary counter, if you didn't need branching, or it could be
something elaborate with a
subroutine stack. The MC14500B Industrial Control Unit Handbook gives
Is this book on-line anywhere? I've not checked the obvious places, so if
it's on bitsavers or datasheetarchive or similar, don't flame too hard ;-)
-tony