1-bit computing

In computer architecture, 1-bit integers or other data units are those that are 1 bit (1/8 octet) wide. Also, 1-bit central processing unit (CPU) and arithmetic logic unit (ALU) architectures are those that are based on registers of that size.

Not to be confused with bit, bit-serial architecture, or one-instruction set computer.

Computer architecture bit widths
Bit
Application
Binary floating-point precision
Decimal floating-point precision
1-bit programmable logic controller MC14500BCP

There are no computers or microcontrollers of any kind that are exclusively 1-bit for all registers and address buses. A 1-bit register can only store 21 different values, i.e. 0 or 1 (off or on, respectively). This is very restrictive and therefore not enough for a program counter which, on modern systems, is implemented in an on-chip register, but is not implemented on-chip in some 1-bit systems. Opcodes for at least one 1-bit processor architecture were 4-bit and the address bus was 8-bit.

While 1-bit computing is mostly obsolete, 1-bit serial communication is still used in modern computers, that are otherwise e.g. 64-bit, and thus also have much larger buses.

While 1-bit CPUs are obsolete, the first carbon nanotube computer from 2013 is a 1-bit one-instruction set computer (and has only 178 transistors; since it has only one instruction though it can emulate 20 MIPS instructions).[1]

1-bit

A serial computer processes data a single bit at a time. For example, the PDP-8/S was a 12-bit computer using a 1-bit ALU, processing the 12 bits serially.[2]

An example of a 1-bit computer built from discrete logic SSI chips is the Wang 500 (1970/1971) calculator[3][4] as well as the Wang 1200 (1971/1972)[5] word processor series developed by Wang Laboratories.

An example of a 1-bit architecture that was marketed as a CPU is the Motorola MC14500B Industrial Control Unit (ICU),[6][7] introduced in 1977 and manufactured at least up into the mid 1990s.[7] Its manual states:

[…] Computers and microcomputers may also be used, but they tend to overcomplicate the task and often require highly trained personnel to develop and maintain the system. A simpler device, designed to operate on inputs and outputs one-at-a-time and configured to resemble a relay system, was introduced. These devices became known to the controls industry as programmable logic controllers (PLC). The Motorola MC14500B Industrial Control Unit (ICU) is the monolithic embodiment of the PLC's central architecture […]

There are functions for which one bit machines are poorly suited. […] Under some circumstances, a combination of an MC6800 MPU and an MC14500B ICU may be the best solution. […]

Program Counter
The program counter is composed of two MC145168 binary up-counters chained together to create 8 bits of memory address. This gives the system the capability of addressing 256 separate memory words. The counters are configured to count up on the rising edge of the ICU clock (CLK) signal and reset to zero when the ICU is reset. Notice that the program counter count sequence cannot be altered by any operation of the ICU. This confirms that the system is configured to have a looping control structure.

Memory

The memory for this system is composed of one MCM7641 512-word by 8 bit PROM memory. Because the program counter is only 8 bits wide, only 256 words, (half of the memory), can be used at any one time. However, by wiring the most significant bit of the memory's address high or low, the system designer can select between two separate programs with only a jumper option. This might be a desirable feature if extremely fast system changes are required.

— MC14500B Industrial Control Unit Handbook[6]

One of the computers known to be based on this CPU was the WDR 1-bit computer.[8] A typical sequence of instructions from a program for a 1-bit architecture might be:

  • load digital input 1 into a 1-bit register;
  • OR the value in the 1-bit register with input 2, leaving the result in the register;
  • write the value in the 1-bit register to output 1.

This architecture was considered superior for programs making decisions rather than performing arithmetic computations, for ladder logic as well as for serial data processing.[6]

There are also several design studies for 1-bit architectures in academia, and corresponding 1-bit logic can also be found in programming.

Other examples of 1-bit architectures are programmable logic controllers (PLCs), programmed in instruction list (IL).

Several early massively parallel computers used 1-bit architectures for the processors as well. Examples include the May 1983 Goodyear MPP and the 1985 Connection Machine. By using a 1-bit architecture for the individual processors a very large array (e.g. the Connection Machine had 65,536 processors) could be constructed with the chip technology available at the time. In this case the slow computation of a 1-bit processor was traded off against the large number of processors.

1-bit CPUs can now be considered obsolete; not many kinds have ever been produced, still as of 2022 some MC14500B chips are available from brokers for obsolete parts.[9][10]

See also

References
  1. Courtland, Rachel (2013-09-25). "First Computer Made From Carbon Nanotubes Debuts - The modest 1-bit, 1 kHz machine could usher in a new post-silicon era". IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News. Archived from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  2. "III. System Logic - 3.4. Control Circuits - 3.4.1 Adder". PDP-8/S Maintenance Manual (PDF) (4th printing ed.). Maynard, Massachusetts, US: Digital Equipment Corporation. August 1969 [October 1967]. pp. 3-14–3-15. F-87S. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2022-06-15. (191 pages)
  3. Wasserman, Katie (March 2006) [January 2004]. "LED calculators rule her house". Computer Collector Newsletter / Technology Rewind (Interview). Interviewed by Koblentz, Evan. Archived from the original on 2019-12-27. Retrieved 2017-05-20. Probably my most favorite is the Wang 500. It's got several unique things about it: a very unusual ROM memory made of hundreds of long enamel-coated wires wrapped around iron cores; a super-fast single-bit CPU built out of SSI logic chips; and of course tons of really cool-looking colorful keys.
  4. Product Service - Schematic manual (PDF). Wang Laboratories, Inc. 1974. 03-0019-0. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  5. Battle, Jim (2010-03-07). "Wang 1200 - Wang WP History". Archived from the original on 2017-05-21. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  6. Gregory, Vern; Dellande, Brian; DiSilvestro, Ray; Malarkey, Terry; Smith, Phil; Hadley, Mike (1977). Motorola MC14500B Industrial Control Unit Handbook - Theory and Operation of a CMOS one-bit processor compatible with B series CMOS devices (PDF). Motorola Semiconductor Products Inc. 33-B78/8.0. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-04-01. Retrieved 2017-05-20. (NB. Also available in German language under the title "Motorola MC14500B Industrial Control Unit Handbuch - Theorie und Anwendung eines Ein-Bit-CMOS-Prozessors".)
  7. Industrial Control Unit MC14500B (PDF). 1995. pp. 306–313. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2012-08-01. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  8. Ludwig, Volker; Paschenda, Klaus; Schepers, Heinz; Terglane, Hermann-Josef; Grannemann, Klaus; John, Burkhard; Komar, Hermann; Meinersen, Ludwig (1986). Fast alles über den WDR-1-Bit-Computer (PDF) (in German). Neuss & Recklinghausen, Germany: DATANorf. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  9. "MC14500B Price & Stock". www.digipart.com. Archived from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
  10. "MC14500B". www.ebay.com. Archived from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2019-11-04.

Further reading
  • Schembri, Thierry; Bizoirre, Sylvain; Boisseau, Olivier; Chauvaud, Pierre-Emmanuel. "WDR-1-Bit Computer". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM. Archived from the original on 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
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