L-1: Difference between revisions
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The '''L-1''' was a unique computer created by Wes Clark at the [[Lincoln Laboratory]], for processing RF receiver | The '''L-1''' was a unique computer created in 1960 by [[Wes Clark]] at the [[Lincoln Laboratory]], for processing RF receiver [[signal]]s in real-time. One of his previous devices - the [[ARC-1]] - was [[hard-wired]], and Clark noted it would have been more flexible as a [[program|stored-program]] computer. These ideas were borne out in the L-1. | ||
{{stub}} | It was somewhat novel in its day, when most computers were large constructs devoted to handling human-originated data, for a computer to be used for a task that would previously been performed by a custom hardware [[instrument]]. Lincoln Laboratory, of course, had extensive previous experience of working with computer handling of [[analog data]] in the [[Semi-Automatic Ground Environment]] project. | ||
{{semi-stub}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [https://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/51G-0012_Functional_Description_of_the_L1_Computer_Mar60.pdf A Functional Description of the L-1 Computer] | * [https://bitsavers.org/pdf/mit/lincolnLaboratory/51G-0012_Functional_Description_of_the_L1_Computer_Mar60.pdf A Functional Description of the L-1 Computer] | ||
* Wesley A. Clark, [https://www.digibarn.com/stories/linc/documents/LINC-Personal-Workstation/LINC-Personal-Workstation.pdf The LINC Was Early and Small], [[Association for Computing Machinery|ACM]], ''Proceedings of the ACM Conference on the History of Personal Workstations'', 1986, pp. 133-155 - covers the L-1 on pp. 136-137 | |||
[[Category: 10-bit Computers]] | [[Category: 10-bit Computers]] | ||
[[Category: Unique Computers]] | [[Category: Unique Computers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:31, 2 September 2026
The L-1 was a unique computer created in 1960 by Wes Clark at the Lincoln Laboratory, for processing RF receiver signals in real-time. One of his previous devices - the ARC-1 - was hard-wired, and Clark noted it would have been more flexible as a stored-program computer. These ideas were borne out in the L-1.
It was somewhat novel in its day, when most computers were large constructs devoted to handling human-originated data, for a computer to be used for a task that would previously been performed by a custom hardware instrument. Lincoln Laboratory, of course, had extensive previous experience of working with computer handling of analog data in the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment project.
External links
- A Functional Description of the L-1 Computer
- Wesley A. Clark, The LINC Was Early and Small, ACM, Proceedings of the ACM Conference on the History of Personal Workstations, 1986, pp. 133-155 - covers the L-1 on pp. 136-137
