DESCRIPTION AND BASIC SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SOVIET MINSK-2 DIGITAL COMPUTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00247A001300550001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 24, 2013
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 8, 1964
• Content Type: REPORT

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50X1-HUM I
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material, contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
C=0 -N -F -N=T -I -A -L
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
50X1-HUM
COUNTRY USSR
SUBJECT Description and Basic
Specifications of the Soviet
MINSK-2 Digital Computer
DATE OF
INFO. -
? PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
5
4
3
2
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,or REPORT
DATE DISTR.
NO. PAGES
September 1964
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50X1-HUM
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION. SOURCE GRADINGS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE,
50X1-FRAT
a Soviet brochurentitled General-Purpose Digital
Computer "Minsk.2", prepared by V/0 MAShPRIBORINTORG- Moscow
Distribution of Attachment:
OSI:. copy for retention
C-0-N-F-I-D7E-N-T-I-A-L
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
STATE
I DIA
I ARMY NAVY I AIR
I N SA I )(AAA NIC
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GROUP I
Excluded from autonsoric
downgrading and
declassification
(Note: Field distribution indicated by "#".)
50X1-HUM1
NFORMATION REPORT INFORMATION REPORT
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.Attachment
-GENERAL?PURPOSE DIGITAL COMPUTER
"MINSK-2"
V/0 "MASHPRIBORINTORG"
C ()NV IDENT lEt
NO FOREIGN DISSEH
Moscow
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PURPOSE
The digital computer "Minsk-2" is a semi-conductor data
processing system. The machine is a general-purpose computer,
since it can be used for a wide range of problems arising in
business, science and technology. The modular construction of
the computer which permits changing its units as desired makes
it possible to meet individual requirements of the Users and
renders the computer highly suitable for various applications.
In the business field, the computer can be used for thk?
.following purposes:
calculation of wages and salaries and making of pay-sheets;
accounting;
stock-taking;
production planning;
compilation of summary specifications;
optimalized transportation planning;
statistical analysis and solution of other economic pro-
blems.
In science and technology, the computer has the following
applications:
matrix operations;
solution of sets of algebraic equations;
solution of sets of differential equations;
calculation of electric and magnetic fields;
calculation of power networks;
calculation of transformers, rectifiers and filters;
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study of thermo-nuclear processes in nuclear reactors
calculation of complex mechanism 'designs and many others.
Deversified uses of the "Minsk-2" computer are made possi-
ble by the following parameters:
4,)
sufficiently high computation speed (the average of 5-6
thousand operations per sec.);
large internal storage capacity (4 or 8 thousand numbers);
large external storage capacity. (from 400 to 1.6 million
numbers);
floating-rpoint and fixed-point operation;
? ability to process alphanumeric data;
large set of input and output devices and the possibility
of simultaneous operation of the output devices during computa-
tion (a programme-interruption mechanism is included in the
machine);
excellent programming facilities;
comparatively small dimensions;
high reliability of. the system.
COMPONENTS
The "Minsk-2" digital computer consists of the following
basic components:
central control desk;
?
photoelectric tape reader;
central computer which incorporates an arithmetic unit and
a control unit;
L.
COIFIDEUTIAL
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? internal store of the computer (4096 words);
magnetic tape external store (400 thousand words);
high-speed digital printer (employs a 70 mm-Wide tape);
2 output paper tape punch units;
device for punching initial data an a tape;
document printing unit (a paper roll, 215 mm wide, is used).
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF BASIC COMPONENTS
The central control desk is designed for starting the
programme with subsequent control over its execution, manual
input of a small amount of data and monitoring computer opera-
tion. An important advantage of the control desk which consi-
derably facilitates the operator's task is the indication of
the contents of the main registers in the form of octonary
numbers and display boards "READY" (FOTOBHOCTB ), "OPERATION
MODE" (PEEN PAEOTU ) and "CAUSE OF STOP" (HANNA OCTLHIOBA. ).
The indication and manual control elements are designed and
painted so as to decrease operator's fatigue and minimize there-
by his operation errors. An important new feature of the com-
puter is also sound indication as an experienced operator can
"follow" the process of programme execution by the noise pro-
duced by the machine . Special controls for selected stop of
the computer: "INSTRUCTION" (KOMAHAA ), "WRITING" (3AHMCB ),
"READING" (RTEHAE ) facilitate programme debugging and reduce
the debugging time.
The photoelectric tape reader is intended for input in
the computer of instructions and initial information represent-
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CONfIDENTTkt:
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CONV,vDDAL,..
NO FOREIGN DISSEM
ed in the "Minsk-2" digital code and also alphanumeric infor-
mation in the 2d International'Telegraph code. Input of alpha-
numeric information enhances the efficiency of the computer in
solving different problems in the fields of economic planning.
Digital information can be read into the machine both in the
octonary and decimal codes. Information is read into the com-
puter in blocks which makes it easy to correct or supplement
information on the punched tape as desired. The input opera-
tion is monitored by automatic calculation of the check sums
of the material put into the machine. The input speed is WO
lines per sec.
The central computer consists of a three-register parallel
binary arithmetic unit and a central control unit. The arith-
metic unit can perform both.floating -point and fixed-point .
operations. The basic time characteristics of the arithmetic
unit are as follows:
shift by one digit - 4 microsec.
fixed-point addition - 12 microsec.
floating-point addition - 72 microsec.
fixed-point or floating-point
multiplication - 200 microsec.
fixed-point or floating-point division - 624 microsec.
Multiplication is performed by the "multiplication by
2 digits" method which greatly reduces multiplication time.
If desired, the product can be obtained with a double number
of digits. The results may be either rounded-off or not.
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NO FOREIGN DISali
The central control unit coordinates the operation of
individual units of the' computer and controls the sequence of
.
instruction execution. A special "prOgramme-interruption" unit
is provided which makes it possible to print or punch output
information without interrupting the computation process.-
a feature especially important in solving economic planning
problems.
The arithmetic unit adder is used as the instruction re-
gister of the central control unit which makes the computer
more compact. Central control is effected as a definite sequ-
ence of synchronous and asynchronous operations.
The synchronous characteristic is helpful for debugging
the programme and Iodating faults in operation; the asynchro-
nous operation makes it possible to reduce the time required
for different operations by omitting unnecessary steps when
obeying the instruction.
The internal store of the computer is a ferrite-core
storage with a capacity of 4096 37-digit binary words. The
access time of the ferrite store is 24 microsec. The store is
contained in a separate housing, is easily adjusted and high-
ly reliable in operation. Provision is made for connection of
another similar store to the computer to bring the total capa-
city of the internal storage up to 8192 words.
The magnetic tape store is a bay including four pocket-
type tape transport mechanisms. The capacity of the entire
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store is 400,000 words. Information on the magnetic tape has
.special even digits due to which storage and reading of infor-
mation are monitored automatically. The packing density is 10
pulses per mm. The speed of information exchange with the fer-
rite store is 2500 words per sec. Both direct - and reverse
search of information address is possible which gives a consi-
derable time saving. The information exchange with the internal
store is arbitrary: any amount of-information from one word to
the entire material stored may be exchanged. This feature is
extremely useful for programming. processing of variable-size
groups of information and saves both length of the programmes
and the time of their execution. To ensure reliable operation
of the magnetic-tape store, each binary digit is written by two
magnetic heads, which are switched electronically.
. Provision is made for connection of three more magnetic-
tape stores to the computer which makes the total capacity of
the store 1600 thousand words.
The high-speed printing unit type TERM-16/1200 iB a
device whose operation principle is based on continuously-rotat-
ing digital wheels. Information may be supplied to the printing
unit in the form of octal information, decimal fixed-poimt
Information or decimal floating-point information. The contents
of one location is printed in one line. The printing speed is
20 lines per sec. with the computer operating in the "motor
Interlocked", mode, the motor is automatically switched on only
when reference is made to the printing unit which decreases the
noise level and improves computer reliability.
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No FOREIGN Dina
Two output tape punch units type -20 operate at a
speed of 20 lines per sec.
Punch unit No.I receives both ottonary and decimal infor-
mation as well as information represented in the second Inter-
national Telegraph Code (alphanumeric information). Punch unit
No. 2 can accept only the second International Code. Both punch
units can operate simultaneously. From the punch units, the in-
formation can be put back into the computer to be typed in a
page telegraph printer PTA-50 (teletype) on a paper tape, 215
mm wide, as a final document (invoice, payroll, etc.)
Preparation of initial information in an alphanumeric form
is made on a conventional telegraph printer CTA-2M. When numeri-
cal information is punched in the machine code for facilitating
data preparation the printer CTA-2M with a modified key-board
may be used. Both printers may be employed for multiplication
of documents by copying them in a repunch unit with a speed of
400 lines per minute.
INFORMATION ENCODING
One word of information stored in one location of the
"Minsk-2" machine consists of 37 binary digits. The location
may contain:
fixed-point binary number"'
.floating-point binary number;
fixed-point decimal number;
floating-point decimal number;
alphanumeric word;
octonary instruction word.
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CONFIDEUTIEZ
NO FORIMIT cot.t, ,
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The binary digit places of the location are numerated as
follows: the lefthand digit place is a "Sign digit" and the
following digl.t places bear the numbers from 1 to 36 (from'
left to right),
A fixed-point binary number is represented in a location
as follows:
3/t
1
2
Number
sign
3
5
31
37
33
34
16
lisdlical part after point Is? digits'
When a location contains a floating-point binary number,
binary digits are arranged as follows:
29 31.113334 35
f
4-1 or er
- 16 times!
I - digit sign
II - unused digit
The digit places of a location storing decimal numbers
are shown in the following two figures:
Fixed-point decimal number
3ii
1
2
Number
3
5
Di9itical part, .atter point /3.6 digits/
IO
001TrtzDtkri4,
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floating-point decimal number
3 7
3411
2
.1
tian issa
sign
mantissa /28 digits,
8 .9
Pf
\31 31 31 3134 15 .16
ordertstime51
I - digit sign
II - unused digits
. The range of floating-point decimal numbers is the follow-
ing:
0.521010.10-19
0.9223372.10+19
The next figure shows the arrangement of alphanumeric infor-
mation in a locations each information symbol being coded in 6
binary digits:
2
ati
2
3
6
Alphapameric
i i
SNM 013 .18 digi 5)
PROGRAMMING
54
6
All operations performed by the "Minsk-2" machine include
the following basic groups of operations:
arithmetical operations;
logical operations;?
transfer operations;
auxiliary operation;
control operations;
reference to external storage;
,input-output operations;
special arithmetical operations.
? c*NPrDENTrirr
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MYFORMODISPM
The computer uses two-address instructions. An instruction
occupies one full storage word. Besides the addresses of two
operands, the instruction code also contains a short address
(four binary digits) of the index location. The index locations
serve for automatic modification 'of instruction addresses and
for counting. the number of cycle repetitions which greatly sim-
plifies programming, decreases the length of programmes and con-
siderably reduces the time of programme execution. The first 15
locations of the internal store are used as index locations.
The typidal structure of a Standard instruction is as
follows:
311
1
2
3
Ii
5
7
30
3?
36
K on
Cl
az
I( 011 N I a, a7
- operation code
- block number
- index-address
- first address
second address
? Each arithmetical and logieal operation has four modifi-
cations. This makes the two-address instruction system highly
flexible and imparts to it the advantages of both the single
address system (information can be accumulated without placing
the results in the storage) and the three-address instruction
system (three operands are available for operation: adder,
first address and second address).
The system of ccmputer instructions covers a wide range
of control instructions - conditional and unconditional traa-
12
CONFIDENTTI'r
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sfers - which is particularly helpful for programming proces-
ses with defferent characteristics.
The system of instructions includes special instructions
for programme control Of programme interruption. The inter-
ruption system allows to execute several programmes simultane-
ously, making transfers from one programme to another When
special signals appear. Thus, computation operations may easi-
ly be combined with the output of a large amount of informa-
tion.and, thereby, the machine dead time due to slowly-operat-
ing output devices is reduced to zero.
The logical principle is employed in the octal numeration
of the codes,therefore, operation encoding does not require
much time .or special efforts on the part of programmers.
The machine is provided with a library of standard subrou-,I
tines and routines for automation of small programming operations
which greatly saves programming time and makes redundant a large
part of the User's mathematical personnel. The computer is also
provided with the programmes of standard economic problems aris-
ing at plants and factories.
CONSTRUCTIONAL FEATURES
The computer "Minsk-2" has a modular construction, each
unit being mounted in an individual standard bay or a transport-
able rack and fitted with an individual control and monitoring
panels. On the "Minsk-2" computer, it is possible to independent-
ly check the central computer, the magnetic-tape store unit and
printing and punch units simultaneously.
The machine cells are intercoupled by printed connectors
and employ printed circuits throughout. The cbmputer "Minsk-2"
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has 23 types of cells. A special stand is delivered with the
-computer for checking and adjusting computer cells.
Constructionally, the computer consists of 4 standard bays
with dimensions of 1100x650x1800 mm, a tape-transport mechanism
bay, 1640x650x1800 mm, a control panel, 1350x950x1150 mm, and
two racks; housing input and output devices with the dimensions
of 900x650x1000 mm. The floor space required for normal opera-
tion of the computer is 40-50 scion.
The machine. requires no special equipment, except a power
supply panel and, if necessary, an exhaust fan.
BASIC SPECIFICATIONS
Operation speed
Ferrite-core store capacity (M03Y)
Ferrite store access time
Magnetic-tape store capacity (HMA)
Speed of information exchange with
external magnetic-tape store
Number representation
Number of digits
5-6 thousand operations/sec
4096 words
24 microsec
400,000 words
2500 words/sec
floating-point and fixed-
point
37 binary digits (sign
included)
Range of fixed-point number.
representation
Range .of floating-point number
10+19
10729
representation
Instruction code two-address
Number of instructions 10I
Speed of information reading
out from punched tape 800 lines/sec
41 ft T 171 11 T rik
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Spe e d of information reading
into high-speed printing unit
EIN -20
Speed of information readig into
punch unit
Type of input and output informa-
tion
Operation calculus system
Floor space requirements
Power consumption
T,1'. 7: 5'.i iii
20 words/sec
20 lines/sec
decimal, octal, alpha-
numeric
binary
40-50 sq.m
about 4 kVA
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