Magnetic bubble domain processing apparatus and method

Abstract

Bubble domain logic apparatus and a method of processing data in the form of a stream of magnetic bubble domains which represent data by their coding (such as presence and absence of bubble domains). The data stream has a key associated with each data entity. A bubble lock at a junction directs the associated data entity to one of two possible paths. In this fashion the key associated with the data determines the processing of the data in a self-programmed fashion. The bubble lock accepts a stream of bubble domains which are taken to represent units consisting of key/data. A splitter duplicates the key and inserts the duplicated key in the stream so that the units in the stream represent key/key/data. An array of bubble domain switches are selectively located to correspond to a selected single key of all possible combinations. This array acts to compare the first key with the selected key and the remainder of the stream, representing key/data, is directed out on one of two possible paths depending on the relationship between the key and the selected key. One of the output paths from the bubble lock may be connected to a logic circuit so the logic circuit receives the data entity if, and only if, the key leading the data entity matches the lock. The logic apparatus may or may not perform a logic operation on the key, as well as the data entity.