Series 3440 DATAPLOTTER
series 3440
DATAPLOTTER
for fast, accurate, automatic plotting of digital information
POINT PLOTTING
LINE PLOTTING
SYMBOL PLOTTIN
from
magnetic tape
punched tape
punched cards
manual keyboard
analog signals
ELECTRONIC ASSOCIATES, INC. Long Branch, New Jersey
rics 8440 DATAPLOTTER automatically reduce
from magnetic tape
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Typical of the versatility of the 3440 is this plot Loy eae :
of bridge span INFLUENCE LINES. In a truly fast, economical digital plotting system an analog type
X-¥ plotter is required to produce the graphic plot of the digital
data being read by the digital to analog circuitry. In the 3440
DATAPLOTTER an EAI Series 205 VARIPLOTTER®, standard
equipment on every missile range in the Free World, is used. This
completely transistorized instrument plots one d-c voltage as a
function of a second d-e voltage. It combines all the facilities re-
quired for rapid, accurate, graphic recording of data read by the
8440 DATAPLOTTER. The VARIPLOTTER is also capable of
independent operation directly from analog voltages. Origin loca-
tion and scale factor controls are provided for use when the
VARIPLOTTER is used for direct analog plotting.
masses of data to graphic form
punched tape, punched cards. manual keyboard,
for faster, easier interpretation and study.
almost every area of science and industry can benefit
Research and Engineering. Research investigations
and design calculations performed by a digital com-
puter may be accurately and economically plotted in
graphic form for the rapid evaluation and comparison
of results.
Business. Almost every area of commerce and industry
draws graphs of business activities, both internal
and external. With the DATAPLOTTER, management
obtains up-to-the-minute graphic plots of information
for faster, sounder decision making.
Production. Production fluctuations, inventories of
stock and parts, etc., can be automatically charted for
modern production control. The DATAPLOTTER can
also be used to provide a quick, convenient way to
eliminate errors in the automatic programming of ma-
chine tools—before machining operations begin.
Statistics, Statisticians graph a high percentage of the
solutions they obtain because graphs can provide an
integrated picture of the analysis and allow better de-
cisions to be made from the results.
Data Processing, Data Processing Groups may rapidly
obtain a graphic display of the data produced by digital
computers—economically and accurately.
Weather Charts. Isobars, isotherms, and weather sym-
bols may be plotted automatically from computer out-
puts or from transmitted digital data.
Mapping. Contour lines and geographical characteris-
tics may be plotted automatically. Geophysical informa-
tion for oil exploration may be graphically presented as
it is processed by the digital computer. Well-logs, grav-
ity and magnetic data are readily mapped.
Military. Missile trajectories and orbits as determined
through digital computations and/or telemetered data
can be accurately converted to graphic form.
insurance. Actuarial graphs or other statistical data
can be economically plotted.
System Testing. Today’s defense and space development
programs require elaborate system evaluations where
telemetered data are produced in large quantities. Digi-
tal test data from wind tunnels, missile ranges, etc.,
may be rapidly and accurately reduced to graphic form.
Orher Uses of automatic plotting are constantly being
discovered.
Off-line plotting of digital da
features
ee
did
... Accurate graphs up to 30 x 80 inch F a i iE ih BR
... Salid state reliability
.. Plots up to 4500 line segments per minute
.. Directly compatible with most computers
.
.. Magnetic tape, punched cards*, punched tape*,
manual keyboard or analog inputs
. Fully automatic control
.
.. No temperature controlled environment necessary—
temperature sensitive elements housed in oven
...- Dial controlled data selection
.. Versatile automatic data selection* and location*
.. Self-contained parity check system
.. Built-in ease of maintenance
DATAPLOTTER, Series 3440 offers complete facilities
for the independent (off-line) plotting of digital in-
.. Vacuum paper hold-down formation as inked plots on 30” x 30” or smaller graph
sheets. Digital data may be read directly from magnetic
tape, eliminating the time consuming step of preparing
punched cards or paper tape. In addition to saving val-
uable computer or tape unit time, this feature also per-
.. Incremental advance plotting* mits locating the DATAPLOTTER remotely from the
computer. Thus, one DATAPLOTTER may be used to
plot runs from several widely separated computers or
...Numerical* or Symbol* point identification several DATAPLOTTERS may be used simultaneously
with the same computer.
.. Disposable ink cartridge
.
may be accomplished from the following system inputs .. .
MAGNETIC TAPE
PUNCHED CARDS
PUNCHED TAPE
MAGNETIC TAPE. The DATAPLOTTER tape transport will accept 4
inch magnetic tape written at a density of two-hundred characters per
inch. The tape is comprised of seven channels of which six are used for
BCD-coded characters. The seventh channel is used for parity check.
PUNCHED CARDS*. The DATAPLOTTER accepts decimal data read
from Card Readers in a parallel or serial manner. With parallel read data
the columns to be read are selected on the Card Reader patch panel. Data
that can be accepted from the Reader includes: sign, command, thousands,
hundreds, tens, and units for both X and Y, and the “select-reject” control
characters. Operation for serially read data is similar to magnetic tape.
Uniquely defined control characters are used for “end of file’, and “select-
reject’.
PUNCHED TAPE*. A high speed photo-electric paper tape reader cap-
able of reading any punched paper tape up to eight channels width is
provided. The system recognizes the numbers 0 through 9. In addition,
it recognizes three unique characters from punched tape which signify:
“minus sign”; “end of block”; and “end of file’. Optional provisions may
include pen/printer selection and data block selection.
*Optional features
3440 DATAPLOTTER
HIGH ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY
The accuracy of the analog plotter is 0.015 inches;
conversion of the digital data is within 4 counts, giv-
ing an overall plotting precision very close to the width
of the line drawn. High stability, wirewound resistors
and silicon diodes are located in a thermostatically
controlled oven to give extra protection against changes
in environmental temperature. Analog operational am-
plifiers are chopper stabilized and, except for the tape
transport unit, all circuitry is transistorized for great-
er reliability.
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The DATAPLOTTER plots up to 4-digit decimal num-
bers of either sign, making its range effectively
20,000 counts or +9999 to — 9999. Front panel controls
are provided to permit plotting 1, 2, 3, or 4 digit num-
bers as desired. Scale and origin controls allow the plot
to be compressed or expanded from 1/8 of full scale to
more than 10 times full scale and to move the data
origin to a point either on or off the plotting surface
up to 4 board widths, depending on the scale used.
YMRER PLOTTING AODES
Two types of plots may be made with the standard
DATAPLOTTER: (a) Point Plots in which each set
of X-Y coordinates are recorded as a point, and (b)
Line Plots in which successive X-Y points are con-
nected by straight lines. As an optional feature the
system may be supplied with equipment to provide
Symbol Plots, either as one of 12 automatically selected
symbols or with numeric identification of points. The
VARIPLOTTER may also be equipped with a second
plotting arm for additional plotting versatility. When
the second arm is equipped with a symbol printer both
pen or symbol plots can be obtained by the selection
of the proper arm.
Lateral parity check is maintained on selected words to
minimize the chances of error when data is being
plotted from magnetic tape. By placing the Parity
Action switch on the Control Panel in the “Reject” posi-
tion, the DATAPLOTTER automatically rejects ques-
tionable data and continues plotting. With this switch
in the “Stop” position, faulty data causes the DATA-
PLOTTER to cease all operations so that the operator
can examine the nature of the error and take appro-
priate action. The operator may decide to manually
reject the data or to correct it by entering correct in-
formation with the Manual Data Entry Keyboard.
After either of these actions are taken, the plotter will
continue to plot subsequent data.
EASE OF MAINTENANCE
Trouble-shooting and maintenance are easily accom-
plished on the Series 3440 DATAPLOTTER.
All triggers and counters in the system are monitored
by visual indicators. The keyboard may be used to
simulate the tape. In this mode all data detection, con-
trol and counting circuitry are utilized. All digital
logic and control printed circuit cards are mounted on
rolling drawers for easy accessibility. Each of these
cards has color-coded phone jacks on its edge which
ae
allow safe monitoring of the output of all active ele-
ments on the card. In addition, a Test Panel is provided
which contains a selector switch for monitoring any of
the system power supplies with a self-contained volt-
meter, and balance potentiometers for balancing the
operational amplifiers.
Optional e equipment i is ; available for increasing the plot-
ting versatility of the Series 3440 DATAPLOTTER.
This includes printing facilities for symbol or numeric
identification of plotted data, automatic incremental
advance, paper roll mechanism and others.
Variations of the Series 3440 DATAPLOTTER can be
provided on special order to accept magnetic tapes from
other digital computers. A VARIPLOTTER with a 45”
x 58” plotting surface is also available on special order.
Magnetic Tape Format Definitions
Character—consists of a group of bits placed in
each of the seven channels on the tape.
Record—a sequence of characters along the tape.
File—a sequence of records along the tape.
The tape transport used with the 3440 DATAPLOT-
TER is the Ampex FR400, which is designed for read-
ing tape prepared by IBM 650, 704, 705, 709, 7070,
7090, 1401, 1620, and CDC 160 and 1604 Computers. It
is equipped with hubs for mounting standard IBM or
NARTB tape reels using 4 inch wide tape. The tape
is read at a speed of 75 inches per second with a
seven-channel reading head to fit the dimensions of
gree of accuracy
the recorded data. Manual controls are provided for
controlling the tape reader in addition to the automatic
controls that are required to carry out the automatic
plotting operations. Brakes are provided to automatic-
ally stop the tape in event of tape breakage or failure
of AC power. Optionally available are stop devices
which sense the IBM end of the tape foil markers.
Sous en. A record is first divided
into words of arbitrary size rom 2 to 12 characters)
and the words into characters. The size of the word is
set on the Word Size dial. The location of the words
to be plotted within the record are set on the X and Y
Word Selector dials. Any word from 000 to 159 can be
selected. When plotting from magnetic tape, punched
tape or serially fed punched cards it is possible to select
the following characters from anywhere within the
desired word: sign character, command character,
thousands digit, hundreds digit, tens digit, and units
digit. These selections are accomplished by the use of
six dials for X and six for Y. The action taken on each
record will depend upon the command characters
which appear in the location as set on the Command
Character dials. Note that it is possible to set the
Command Character selector to “0” in which case
every X and Y word selected will be plotted.
3440
DATAPLOTTER
data selection
The Series 8440 DATAPLOTTER offers unprecedented input format fiexi-
bility. No patching is necessary except in the Card Reader—all data selec-
tion is performed by dials.
Bes ° Frequently, information to be plotted appears
only. in certain records and, accordingly, it is useful to have a means for
selecting these particular records. Similarly, for other cases, it may be
desirable to reject certain records. Any character position within any word
of the record may be selected as the record control character by the
Control Character Select dials. The control character itself can be defined
by the Character Code selector switches. When in the “reject” mode all
records with this character are rejected; and when in the “select” mode
all records with this character are selected and processed. This feature
applies to operation from magnetic tape, punched tape, and punched cards.
REESE ee ape Sometimes, large amounts of well resolved data are
written on 1 magnetic tape, punched tape or punched cards. By plotting only
a percentage of the data, time can be saved during the plotting operation.
Accordingly, for magnetic tape, punched tape, and punched cards, one can
predetermine that every second, every third, every fourth, etc., up to
every 1599th record will be plotted. This is known as Record Thinning
and is accomplished by setting the Mode switch to Record Thin and
selecting the proportion of records to be thinned out on the Thin Counter
dials.
data location
One of the outstanding features of the Series 3440 DATAPLOTTER is
its ability to locate the data to be plotted. By using any of the following
means it is easy to find the data to be plotted.
The operator pre-
selects that number of files or records which he wishes to advance or
regress on the Scan Counter dials and then pushes the Tape Forward or
Reverse key. The magnetic tape will be positioned at the beginning of the
pre-selected file or record. Up to 1599 files or records may be traversed in
this manner. Data may be located in a similar manner on punched paper
tape except that it cannot be scanned backwards.
The Record Address dials are
preset to the value at which the operator wishes to start plotting. The
word in which this value appears is selected with the X Data Selector dials.
The magnetic tape will be positioned at the point at which this value
appears. Similarly, a terminal value may be preset through the Record
Address dials and the machine will stop plotting at the desired point.
Data location by Record Address is also possible with punched cards and
punched tape.
A file counter is provided which gives a continuous display of
the file that is under the reading head when operating from magnetic
tape. The tape is caused to move forward or backwards by depressing the
Tape Forward or Reverse key. It is stopped at any time by pushing the
Stop key. Under manual control and depending upon the position of the
Scan switch, the tape advances or regresses one record or file or moves
continuously in one direction until halted by the Stop key. The position
of the Mode switch determines whether records or files are to be scanned.
A unique character which simulates the file mark may be written on
punched tape and is handled in the same manner except that punched tape
cannot be moved backwards.
*Optional features
series 3440 DATAPLOTTER
system control panel
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automatic plotting and set-up is facilitates’ b. use of commands
The DATAPLOTTER is capable of performing several
different functions from commands written on mag-
netic tape, punched tape or punched cards. Two com-
mand characters, one taken from the X word and an-
other from the Y word, grouped together as a pair,
are known as a command. For each parcel of quantita-
tive data that is read from the record there is a com-
mand which instructs the machine what to do with the
data. These commands are listed at the right.
An alternate to fully automatic plotting is available
through manual selection. In this mode of operation,
even though commands do not exist in the stored data,
the machine automatically gives itself a plot command
and thereby plots the data points from all those records
except those rejected for any of the various reasons
that the machine normally rejects data. In addition, all
commands can be introduced with the Manual Data
Entry Keyboard.
The Control Panel of the Series 3440 DATAPLOTTER
provides for the complete control of the plotting opera-
tion. Controls are arranged in a logical grouping and
are clearly marked to indicate their function. In addi-
tion, for high speed operation, the Control Panel dis-
plays in X and Y, both a four-digit input and output
register with sign plus their associated command
characters that are in storage. The contents of both
the input and output register are displayed at all times.
** As an alternate the DATAPLOTTER can be supplied with 0 0 and 1 1 codes transposed.
Commands
0 0
1 1
2 2
2 0
0 2
3 3
3 0
0 3
4 4
4 0
0 4
0 5
0 6
0 7
0 8
0 9
0 iil
0 12
CONTROL COMMAND CODE
Action
Skip this data
Plot this data
Set scale factor
for X and Y coor-
dinates
Set scale factor
for X coordinate
Set scale factor
for Y coordinate
Set data value at
Data Reference
Point for X and Y
coordinates
Set data value at
Data Reference
Point for X coor-
dinate
Set data value at
Data Reference
Point for Y coor-
dinate
Set Data Refer-
ence Point for X
and Y coordinates
Set Data Refer-
ence Point for X
coordinate
Set Data Refer-
ence Point for X
coordinate
Select symbol
Pen down
Pen up
Start new curve
Paper advance*
Select pen*
Select printer*
Data Meaning
Has no significance
Coordinates for X and
Y
Counts per half inch
or centimeter
Coordinate value at
Data Reference Point
Number of half inches
or centimeters that the
Data Reference Point
is to be displaced from
the Board Reference
Point
Denotes a particular
symbol on the printer
Has no significance
Has no significance
Has no significance
Has no significance
Has no significance
Has no significance
*Optional features
The Series 3440 DATAPLOTTER includes provisions
to allow scale factor and origin to be set automatically.
Inclusion of the appropriate command code and setting
instructions causes the DATAPLOTTER to move the
data origin to any point either on or off the plotting
surface and to adjust the scale factor of either co-
ordinate to any desired value. These adjustments are
accomplished automatically where the appropriate
commands are included in the data. When data is
written without commands, scale factor and origin
commands and setting can be manually introduced with
the Manual Data Entry Keyboard.
“"& Seale factor adjustment varies contin-
uously within the range of 000.1 to 999.9 counts per
half-inch or centimeter. It is possible to select all scale
factors within this range from input command with-
out any manual adjustment being made. Scale factors
are set digitally.
sMWY. This is the location of the
analog plotter pen on ‘the plotting surface correspond-
ing to zero voltage into the plotter. It is established
by adjustment of the Parallax controls on the analog
plotter.
“Oim7?. This is a reference point on
the curve which establishes a correspondance between
the data to be plotted and a point on the plotting sur-
face. This point is set (Code 4 4) with respect to the
Board Reference Point in terms of numbers of one-
haif inches or centimeters; the range is from —79 to
+79 half-inches or centimeters. The value of the data
at the Data Reference Point is set by command code
3 3 and has a continuous range from —9999 to +9999.
This point is also set digitally.
The DATA INPUT PANEL provides controls and indica-
tors for monitoring the electrical power, controls for
the manual! reset of the digital circuits and input regis-
ter, the Manual Data Entry Keyboard, and a six-
position Input switch for selecting the input to the
DATAPLOTTER.
specifications
DATA INPUT
Magnetic Tape: Accepts 3 inch wide, 7 track, BCD tape,
written at a density of 200 characters per inch.**
Punched Cards: Read with parallel or serial fed Card
Readers.
Punched Tape: High speed photo-electric reader cap-
able of reading tape with up to 8 levels.
Keyboard: Manually operated—adding machine type.
DATA OUTPUT*
Point Plot: Any size paper up to 30 inch x 80 inch
(available in plain or ruled sheets or rolls)
Continuous Line: Any size reproducible ink drawing
on any size paper up to 30 inch x 80 inch.
Coded Plots: Symbols—up to 12 distinct symbols (aver-
age selection time 0.33 seconds) ; Numeric point
identification.
PLOTTING ACCURACY (quoted as maximum errors)
Analog Plotter: 0.015 inches
Data Conversion: within 4 counts
Line Segment Conformity: 0.015 inches
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Tape Reader and
Console X-Y Plotter
Width (Coverall) 42” 46”
Depth (overall) 32” 463”
Height 754” 412”
Weight (uncrated) 1212 lbs. 660 Ibs.
Power—Requires 30 amp, 115V, 60 cycle (single phase)
service. (50 cycle model available on special
order )
*Wide line (up to 1/16 inch) pens are available
**Other formats available on special order
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
PLOTTING SPEEDS
Point Plots: Magnetic Tape (at 4 inch spacing) at least
350 ppm
Punched Cards:
Serial-fed—nominally 75 ppm
Parallel-fed—nominally 100 ppm
Punched Tape—nominally 300 ppm
Line Plot: Magnetic Tape: (depends upon setting of
Max. Point Displacement switch)
% inch—540 lines/min
+ inch—3806 lines/min
4 inch—144 lines/min
1 inch—114 lines/min
2inch— 90 lines/min
5inch— 42 lines/min
Punched Cards
Serial-fed— maximum 75 lines/min
Parallel-fed—maximum 100 lines/min
Punched Tape
maximum 300 lines/min
Coded Plots (4 inch spacing):
Magnetic Tape—at least 180 ppm
Punched Cards
Serial-fed—75 ppm
Parallel-fed—100 ppm
Punched Tape—180 ppm
Free Running Mode—up to 4500 ppm
(Data points are read at 75 inches per second
tape speed without stopping in the record gaps)
(All equipment specifications contained herein are
subject to change)
Bulletin No. D.P. 6188-1