Architecture
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The Z3
was the electromagnetic replica of the Z1. He consisted of nine step switches and about 2400 floating-point relays, control unit, memory unit, arithmetic unit and a clearly separated input and output unit. With their binary logic the Z3 was conceptually different to another calculating machines. The program has been read by a perforated tape reader such as the Z1..
The most important features were the following:
- Dual calculations
- Floating-point numbers
- Word length is limited to 22 bit (14 bit mantissa, 7 bit exponent, 1 sign bit)
- 64 word storage
- Controlled by 8-channel punched tape
- Convert from dual to decimal and reverse
- Pieplining of instruction sequences
- Parallel addition (about 0.8 seconds)
- Calculation of multiplication , division and square roots in about 3 seconds
- One-step transfer during addition and subtraction
- Keyboard input
- Output by a table of lamps
Weaknesses were the not variable program sequences, which did not allow jumps on another code position, and no related commands. This was the main reason why the Z3 represents no universal computer.
