Chapter 38 The RW-400-a new polymorphic data system 485

vidual characters to be printed are represented by a 6-bit code and are transmitted four to a computer word. Zero suppression, line completion and information block end codes are included for format control. A plugboard is provided for flexibility in columnar data arrangement. Paper feed is controlled by means of a loop of 7-channel punched paper tape. Control of the printing operation has been arranged so that the connected control module may send line headings from one set of memory locations, stop sending information while going to a different part of the memory, and then proceed to send data from this new set of memory locations to complete a line of print.

The RW-400 Data System may be equipped with a high speed punched card reading module (CR) and an IBM card punch. The CR communicates with Computer or Buffer modules via the Central Exchange. It is capable of reading 80 column punched cards at the rate of 2,500 cards per minute. The card punch is connected to the system through the Peripheral Buffer Module (PB) since it is a relatively low speed device. Emphasis has not been placed on directly connected punched card equipment since the sources of large volumes of punched cards usually convert this data into magnetic tape form which may be more rapidly handled using the Tape Adapter Module (TA).

RothS59; WestG60