What is it about?
How to make and play with digital logic circuits using neon lamps, LEDs and photo sensors. From NOR to Flip Flops and how to bring them all together to make a programmable memory
Featured Image
Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash
Why is it important?
1. These circuits perform their functions "visibly" and can be stepped through their states allowing the user to observe/explain the functioning of complicated sequential and combinatorial logic and state machines without the need for oscilloscopes or logic analyzers 2. The circuits can be routed with silicone light pipe cord which cuts with scissors. Simpler than bread-boarding with wires. No insulation stripping needed.
Perspectives
I have worked as a volunteer STEM educator since the 1980s. This work is the culmination of many years of "I wish I could see what it is you are talking about" from many bright kids. It makes a computer (if you build a big enough optical drum) a kinetic sculpture bridging art and engineering. I am available to provide additional circuit schematics and construction info. Please feel free to contact me at ed_vogel@yahoo.com.
Edward Vogel
Leonardo's Basement
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Optoelectronic NOR gates and rotating drum memory illuminate logic, July 2019, SPIE,
DOI: 10.1117/12.2522211.
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