Retro 60's Core Storage Memory - basic explainer. Lets get this core store working!

In this video, we take an old core storage device from the late 60's and create a test setup circuit, first using Symetrix circuit simulation to design a way to communicate with its cores. We then build an interface and together with a PC, see if we can set / read bits from this device from the past.
We cover the basic principles of how a core store works (without going into any maths or great detail) to get a basic appreciation of how these things worked back in the day.
At the end, we write a simple bit of software to test the circuit and check its timing responses on a scope and together with an Arduino board, view the results in the serial terminal.
Its a 1 hour video and we cover quite a lot in the process. So best viewed if you have plenty of time :)
Credits for photos used:
Casio Calculator Collectors : www.casio-calcu...
Brent Hilpert : madrona.ca/
And if you are interested in further information regarding the Casio AL-1000 calculator, Brent has an excellent site which includes his own reverse engineered schematic of the AL-1000. Awesome work.
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Leave a comment! Do you like long format videos or would you rather see smaller 10-20 minute ones. What kind of content would you like to see? More digital, more analog, CPU/MCU?. Thanks.

[@derekchristenson5711]

Cool!

[@williefleete]

Next challenge get the rest working. Do a dump of the core!

[@twostickes]

Nice, good mixture of engineering in one vid! An almost forgotten technology, created by brilliant engineers before chips and internet.

[@megatesla]

That core memory module was used in a Facit 1125 made by Sharp. It was also branded as an Addo-X 9958 and Burroughs C3350. I have the Facit model that isn't working. (Core module SN: 8070015). Hopefully I can fix it.

[@megatesla]

I see now on your other video you mention the Sharp Compet 32. I have never seen the insides of one of those, and I believe not many made it out of Japan. But it most likely used the same module as the Facit was based on it.

[@NEEC1]

Hi, Yes they all used the same core module. Including the Sharp Compet 32(CS-32A) which i understand was the original design. Very interesting that you have the Facit 1125. Hoping to get one myself one day to reverse engineer. Good luck with it and thanks for watching.