Compucorp 324G
Scientist Calculator

General description

The Compucorp 324G is a vintage calculator from the early 1970s, produced by Compucorp, a company known for its advanced electronic calculators.

The Compucorp 324G model was part of the Compucorp 300 series, which catered primarily to the scientific and engineering communities.

Features and Specifications:

  • Display: The 324G featured a Panaplex gas discharge display, providing clear and bright numerical output. This type of display was common in high-end calculators of the era and was known for its distinct orange glow.
  • Functions: The Compucorp 324G was designed with a range of scientific functions, including trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential calculations. These features made it particularly useful for engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.
  • Programmability: Unlike simpler calculators, the 324G offered limited programmability, allowing users to store sequences of operations. This capability enabled more complex calculations to be automated, saving time and reducing errors.
  • Memory: The calculator was equipped with memory registers, which allowed users to store intermediate results and recall them during complex calculations.
  • Keyboard: The 324G had a sturdy mechanical keyboard, which provided a tactile and precise input experience. The keys were arranged logically, with dedicated keys for various scientific functions, making it easier to perform specific calculations.

The Compucorp 324G was a valuable tool for professionals in technical fields, offering features that were advanced for its time. It was widely used in scientific research and engineering, where the ability to perform complex mathematical operations was crucial. The 324G’s programmability and memory functions set it apart from many other calculators available during the same period.

Today, the Compucorp 324G is considered a collector’s item, appreciated for its historical significance and its role in the evolution of electronic calculators. It represents an era when calculators were transitioning from simple arithmetic tools to sophisticated devices capable of supporting complex scientific and engineering work. Although it is less known compared to some other models in the Compucorp lineup, the 324G remains an important piece of technology history, reflecting the ingenuity and innovation of its time.

Internal structure

The Compucorp 326 was not only impressive on the outside but also featured advanced internal components that were cutting-edge for its time.

The Compucorp 324G was not only impressive on the outside but also featured advanced internal components that were cutting-edge for its time.

Internal Architecture:

  • Processor : At the heart of the Compucorp 324G was a custom-designed microprocessor that handled complex mathematical operations. Unlike many calculators of its time, which relied on simpler arithmetic logic units (ALUs), the 324G’s processor was capable of performing a broader range of functions, making it suitable for scientific and engineering tasks.
  • Memory: The internal memory of the Compucorp 324G was designed to store multiple numbers and intermediate results, which was essential for executing longer, more complicated calculations. This memory was based on early forms of static RAM, which retained data as long as the calculator was powered on.
  • Circuit Boards: The Compucorp 324G featured multiple circuit boards densely packed with integrated circuits (ICs), transistors, and other electronic components. These boards were responsible for the calculator’s logic processing, display control, and input/output operations. The complex layout of these boards reflected the sophisticated capabilities of the machine.
  • Power Supply: The calculator was powered by an internal power supply that converted standard DC electricity into the required voltages to run the electronic components. The power supply was robust, ensuring stable operation over extended periods, which was crucial for its use in professional and scientific environments.
  • Display Driver: The Panaplex display required specific driving circuitry to illuminate the gas-filled segments correctly. The calculator contained specialized display drivers that managed the brightness and multiplexing of the digits on the screen, ensuring that the output was clear and accurate.

The basic modules of the Compucorp 324G calculator are:

Display Module
Enter Board
Processor Board
Memory Board
Power Board