Diode Matrix

A diode matrix is an extremely low-density form of read-only memory that was used in computers in the 50s through the 70s, before EEPROMs were invented. (They are actually still used, but only inside microchips, not using discrete diodes.) Each bit in the ROM is represented by the presence or absence of one diode. The ROM is easily user-writable using a soldering iron and pair of wire cutters.

This particular diode matrix board is a floppy disk boot ROM for a PDP-11, and consists of 32 16-bit words.

The entire board stores the following code:

0005002 Clear R2 0052702 Bit set (PC)+ -> R2 0100247 (Data for previous instruction) 0012701 Move (PC)+ -> R1 0177170 (Data) 0130211 Bit Test R2 & (R1) 0001776 Branch if Equal -176 0112703 Move Byte (PC)+ R3 0000007 (Data) 0010100 Move R1 R0 0010220 Move R2 (R0) 0000402 Branch +2 0012710 Move (PC)+ (R0) 0000001 (Data) 0006203 Shift Right R3 0103402 Branch if Carry set +2 0112711 Move Byte (PC)+ (R1) 0111023 (Data) 0030211 Bit Test R2 & (R1) 0001776 Branch if Equal -176 0100756 Branch if Minus -156 0103766 Branch if Carry set -166 0105711 Test Byte (R1) 0100771 Branch if Minus -171 0005000 Clear R0 0022710 Compare (PC)+ (R0) 0000240 (Data) 0001347 Branch if Not Equal -147 0122702 Compare Byte (PC)+ R2 0000247 (Data) 0005500 Add Carry R0 0005007 Clear (PC)