Inside the 1980 Spacelab computer: 128KB of magnetic core memory
Cores in space: The core memory module from a 1980 Spacelab computer
Spacelab, a reusable laboratory flown in the Space Shuttle, relied on a French-built Mitra 125 MS minicomputer. Its 128KB of RAM used magnetic core memory, storing each bit in a tiny ferrite ring. This article takes a close look at the core memory stack, explaining how coincident-current addressing, diode matrices, and sense/inhibit lines work, and why this late-1980 example represents the peak of core memory technology.
It was completely obvious that you could make a memory with this material, in the words of Jan Rajchman.
- imnotr0b0t
The architecture without inhibit lines is interesting. Did this make the memory faster, or was the main goal simply to reduce the number of sense amplifiers and simplify the board layout?
- lampcord
Amazing how reliable core memory was for critical systems, even in space. Bet it weighed a ton compared to modern RAM.
- kens
Author here for all your core memory questions...