A Magnetic Drum Digital Storage System

Abstract

The role of storage section in all Information Processing System is explained at the introduction with reference to digital computers. A practical magnetic drum storage system suitable for a parallel or a serial parallel digital computer designed and built for providing a reasonable balance between access time, storage capacity, reliability, size and cost is described. In order to make an experimental study of the complex interrelationship of the parameters involved in the process of pulse recording on a moving magnetic surface the mechanical design was made flexible. The coating technique that resulted in a very satisfactory magnetic surface has been explained in detail. From the physical analysis of the factors involved and from experimental investigations, basic requirements for achieving high pulse packing density are shown to be high coercivity, low permeability, rectangular B-H loop characteristics, thin coating, optimum recording current and optimum pole face configuration.