Parametron

software

It took charge of decimal to binary conversion, code conversion, the process of relative and absolute address, and so on in only 68 words. The PC-1 bootstrap is undoubtedly one of the masterpieces of computer programs in the world. It is worth to have a look at it.

Principle of Parametron

The principle of the Parametron is invented by Dr. Eiich Goto(2) in 1954 and is based on the phase of an oscillation where a constant cycle is generated.
By actuating (touching)  this oscillating "wave" on the right moment you could use the pulse generated as a minimum or maximum indication.
The phase thus rotated 0 or 180 degrees and in that way the "oscillation" can be interpreted as a binary 0 or 1. A way for encoding information.

What Goto did was to build a circuitry based on that idea, and by joining a number of such circuits one could build logical modules acting like AND - OR XOR etc.

Because of the much simpler construction the Parametron computer was much more stable than the western machines with valves and transistors. Machines build that way are also much cheaper.
It is only because of the speed of the transistor that the Parametron will loose the battle to the commercial market. Unles one finds a way to switch much more quicly.

However development does continue in universities when we may believe the various web pages.

Specifications

Chronology

1954
The principle of the Parametron is invented by Dr. Eiichi Goto(2) (see top picture)

1964
March Oi Electric Co., Ltd. Shows Prototype Aleph Zero Electronic Calculator [Parametron (ferro-electronic) Circu

Parametron X_aleph_01

1986
DC FLUX PARAMETRON

A New Approach to Josephson Junction Logic

The direct current flux Parametron using Josephson junction and based on the principle of Parametron seems to be the answer for the search of new technology for the future needs of computer power. The combination of its very high switching speed and highly integrable Josephson junction with the established Parametron computer technology accounts for its high performance. This book presents the new type of Josephson computer technology which is fundamentally different from the conventional approach. In this approach, a logic state is represented by a flux polarity whereas the conventional approach uses a voltage state to represent a logic state. (1)

Rebirth

2008

Researchers in Japan have taken the first step towards making a nanomechanical computer. Imran Mahboob and Hiroshi Yamaguchi at NTT Basic Research Labs in Kanagawa have proposed a way to perform logic operations using nanomechanical systems (NEMS). The concept is based on the Parametron – a logic processing system developed by Prof. Eiichi Goto, in Japan more than 50 years ago. (4)