RCA 301, Programmer'S Reference Manual, Page: 8 / 235

The Program Control executes the instructions of the program stored in the High-Speed Memory and performs
the automatic accuracy checks. The classes of instructions are: Data Handling, Arithmetic, Decision and Control,
and Input/Output. Both direct and indirect addressing can be employed.
The Console Panel provides for complete monitoring of operation of the Processor. Adequate indicators and
controls are provided on the panel to initiate normal computer operation and to facilitate program check-out and
maintenance.
The Power Supply distributes power to the Processor and to certain Peripheral Equipments which require d-c
or regulated a-c power. Other Peripheral Equipments, not requiring d-c or regulated a-c, are supplied from the power
mains individually.
The Simultaneous Mode Control pemits the operation of one input/output device simultaneously with another
operation being performed by the Computer. This other operation being performed by the Computer can be a second
input/output instruction or a compute instruction.
The Record File Mode Control provides an additional degree of simultaneity so that reading from or writing to
one of four Data Record Files can be time-shared with other operations.
The Input/Output Control Modules control the peripheral equipment, generally one for each device used in a
system. The modules are installed only when their associated input/output devices, described in succeeding para­
graphs of this section, are added to the system.
The Card Reader, Model 323, reads information punched in 80-column cards for transfer to the Processor.
Hollerith card code may be automatically translated to RCA 301 code. It is possible to bypass automatic translation
and read cards binarily. Cards are read at rates up to 600 cards per minute. Information may be edited and rearranged
under program control.
The Card Reader, Model 324, reads information punched in 80-column cards for transfer to the Processor.
Automatic translation between Hollerith card code and 301 code is provided under program control. Cards may be
read binarily under program control. Reading is performed at a rate of up to 900 cards per minute.
The Card Reader, Model 329, reads information punched in 80-column cards for transfer to the Processor.
Automatic translation between Hollerith card code and 301 code is provided under program control. Cards may be
read binarily under program control. Reading is performed at a rate of up to 1500 cards per minute.
The Card-Reader-Punch, Model 330, consists of an 80-column card reader and card punch in the same
enclosure. Reading is performed at rates up to 800 cards per minute and punching at rates up to 250 cards per
minute. Automatic translation between Hollerith card code and 301 code is provided. Under program control, auto­
matic translation may be by-passed to permit reading or punching binary coded cards. Card reading, punching and
editing are performed under complete control of the stored program. Concurrent reading and punching may be
performed when the Simultaneous Mode Control is included in the system.
Paper tape input and output is provided by three optional paper tape devices. The Paper Tape Reader and
Punch, Model 321, is a single unit which permits on-line reading from and punching either 5 or 7-channel paper
tape at the rate of 100 characters per second. The Paper Tape Reader, Model 322, is a single unit which permits
on-line reading from 5, 6, or 7-channel, odd or even parity, paper tape at either 500 or 1000 characters per second.
The Paper Tape Punch, Model 331, is a single unit which permits punching 5 or 7-channel paper tape at 100
characters per second.
The High-Speed Paper Tape Punch, Model 332, is a single unit which permits punching of 7-channel paper
tape at 300 characters per second.
Two models of the On-Line Unbuffered Printer are available; one printing 120 characters per line (Model 333)
and the other printing 160 characters per line (Model 335). The 120-characters per line model has a printing rate
up to approximately 1000 lines per minute during synchronous printing, with the ability to print 47 selected
characters, and up to approximately 800 lines per minute, with the ability to print 64 characters. The 160-character
per line model has a printing rate up to approximately 1075 lines per minute, with the ability to print from 47 selected
characters, and up to approximately 835 lines per minute, with the ability to print 64 characters. Two 120-character
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