NORBIT

For the film, see Norbit (film).

In electronics, the NORBIT family of modules is a very early form (since 1960^{[1][2][3][4][5]}) of digital logic developed by Philips (and also provided through Valvo [de] and Mullard^[6][7]) that uses modules containing discrete components to build logic function blocks in resistor–transistor logic (RTL)^[8][4] or diode–transistor logic (DTL) technology.

The TU60 (timer circuit) part of 60-series NORBIT 2 family vs CMOS integrated circuit

Overview

The system was originally conceived as building blocks for solid-state^[3][5] hard-wired programmed logic controllers (the predecessors of programmable logic controllers (PLC)) to replace electro-mechanical relay logic in industrial control systems for process control and automation applications, similar to early Telefunken/AEG Logistat, Siemens Simatic, Brown, Boveri & C^ie, ACEC Logacec or Akkord [de] Estacord systems.^{[3][9][10][11][12]}

Each available logical function was recognizable by the color of its plastic container, black, blue, red, green, violet, etc. The most important circuit block contained a NOR gate (hence the name), but there were also blocks containing drivers, and a timer circuit similar to the later 555 timer IC.^[8][13][14]

The original Norbit modules of the YL 6000 series introduced in 1960 had potted single in-line packages with up to ten long flying leads arranged in two groups of up to five leads in a row.^[4][5][15] These modules were specified for frequencies of less than 1 kHz at ±24 V supply.^[4][15]

Also available in 1960 were so called Combi-Element^{[2][1][3][13][nb 1]} modules in single-in line packages with ten evenly spaced stiff leads in a row (5.08 mm / 0.2-inch pitch) for mounting on a PCB.^{[1][16][17][18][13][15]} They were grouped in the 1-series (aka "100 kHz series")^{[13][nb 2]} with ±6 V supply.^[1][15] The newer 10-series and 20-series had similarly sized packages, but came with an additional parallel row of nine staggered leads for a total of 19 leads.^[18][13] The 10-series uses germanium alloy transistors, whereas in the 20-series silicon planar transistors are used for a higher cut-off frequency of up to 1 MHz (vs. 30 kHz) and a higher allowed temperature range of +85 °C (vs. +55 °C).^[18]

In 1967, the Philips/Mullard NORBIT 2^[19][20][21] aka Valvo NORBIT-S^{[22][23][24][nb 3]} family of modules was introduced, first consisting of the 60-series^[25] for frequencies up to 10 kHz at a single supply voltage of 24 V,^[19] only. Later, the 61-series,^[19] containing thyristor trigger and control modules, was added. A 90-series^{[26][nb 4]} became available in the mid-1970s as well. There were three basic types contained in a large (one by two inch-sized) 17 pins dual in-line package, with nine pins spaced 5.08 mm (0.2-inch) on one side and eight staggered pins on the other side.^[27][28]

Modules

Original Norbit family

YL 6000 series

• YL6000 - NOR gate (red) ("NOR")^[4][15]
• YL6001 - Emitter follower (yellow) ("EF")^[4][15]
• YL6004 - High power output (Double-sized module) ("HP")^[4][15]
• YL6005, YL6005/00 - Counter unit (triple binary) ("3C") (violet)^[4][15]
• YL6005/05 - Single divide by 2 counter (violet) ("1C")^[4]
• YL6006 - Timer (brown) ("TU")^[4][15]
• YL6007 - Chassis ("CU")^[4][15]
• YL6008 - Medium power output (orange) ("MP")^[4][15]
• YL6009 - Low power output (white) ("LP")^[4][15]
• YL6010 - Photo-electric detector head ("PD")^[4][15]
• YL6011 - Photo-electric lamp head ("PL")^[4][15]
• YL6012 - Twin 2-input NOR gate (black) ("2.2 NOR")^[4][15]

YL 6100 series

• YL6101 - Rectifier unit, 3…39V 1A^[15]
• YL6102 - Rectifier unit, 3…39V 5A^[15]
• YL6103/00 - Regulator unit, 6…30V 250mA^[15]
• YL6103/01 - Regulator unit, 1…6V 250mA^[15]
• YL6104 - Longitudinal link for regulator unit^[15]
• YL6105 - Regulator unit, 6V 150mA^[15]

88930 Relay series

Used to control relays using variable-length pulse sequences (as with telephone pulse dialing).

• 88930/30 - Input/Output unit^[15]
  Filters an input pulse string and can drive two command circuits and two relay units
  Contains 1×/48, 2×/51, and 2×/57.
• 88930/33 - Primary pulse counting unit (dual command)^[15]
  Can trigger two different signals via two different pulse sequences. The number of pulses that will trigger each command is configurable.
• 88930/36 - Dual command unit^[15]
  Adds two additional commands to the /33.
• 88930/37 - Quad command unit^[15]
  Adds four additional commands to the /33.
• 88930/39 - Output unit^[15]
  Can drive two command circuits (in /36 or /37 command units) plus two /60 relay units.
  Contains 2×/51 and 2×/57.
• 88930/42 - Empty unit^[15]
  For adding custom circuitry. Comprises an empty housing, connector, and blank circuit board.
• 88930/48 - Pulse shaper unit for /33 (no housing)^[15]
• 88930/51 - Command preparation unit (no housing)^[15]
  For providing input to command units.
• 88930/54 - Reset unit^[15]
• 88930/57 - Relay amplifier unit (no housing)^[15]
  For driving a low-impedance relay such as the /60 relay block unit.
• 88930/60 - Relay block unit^[15]
  Double-pole, double throw 250V 2A relay. Accepts a /57 relay amplifier unit.
• 88930/64 - Power supply unit^[15]
  Provides 280V 45mA, 150V 2mA, 24V 750mA, and 15V 120mA.

Combi-Element family

1-series / B890000 series

• B893000, B164903 - Twin 3-input AND gates (orange) ("2.3A1", "2x3N1")^[1][15]
• B893001, B164904 - Twin 2-input AND gates (orange) ("2.2A1", "2x2N1")^[1][15]
• B893002, 2P72729 - Twin 3-input OR gates (orange) ("2.3O1", "23O1", "2x3P1")^[1][29][15]
• B893003, 2P72730 - Twin 2-input OR gates (orange) ("2.2O1", "22O1", "2x2P1")^[1][15]
• B894002, B164910 - Twin inverter amplifier (yellow) ("2IA1", "2.IA1", "2xIA1"^[1][13])^[15]
• B894005, 2P72728 - Twin inverter amplifier (yellow) ("2IA2", "2xIA2")^[1][15]
• B894001, B164909 - Twin emitter follower (yellow) ("2EF1", 2xEF1")^[1][15]
• B894003, 2P72727 - Twin emitter follower (yellow) ("2EF2", "2xEF2")^[1][15]
• B894000, B164907 - Emitter follower/inverter amplifier (yellow) ("EF1/IA1")^[1][15]
• B895000, B164901 - Pulse shaper (Schmitt trigger + amplifier) (green) ("PS1")^[1][15]
• B895001, B164908 - One-shot multivibrator ("OS1")^[1][15]
• B895003 - One-shot multivibrator ("OS2")^[15]
• B892000, B164902 - Flip-flop (red) ("FF1")^[1][15]
• B892001, 2P72707 - Shift-register Flip-flop (red) ("FF2")^[1][29][15]
• B892002 - Flip-flop (red) ("FF3")^[29][15][18]
• B892003 - Flip-flop (red) ("FF4")^[15]
• B893004, 2P72726 - Pulse logic (orange) ("PL1", "2xPL1")^[1][15]
• B893007 - Pulse logic (orange) ("2xPL2")^[15]
• B885000, B164911 - Decade counter ("DC1")^[1][15]
• B890000 - Power amplifier ("PA1")^[15]
• B896000 - Twin selector switch for core memories ("2SS1")^[1]
• B893005 - Selection gate for core memories ("SG1")^[1]
• 2P72732 - Pulse generator for core memories ("PG1")^[1]
• 2P72731 - Read amplifier for core memories ("RA1")^[1]

10-series

• 2P73701 - Flip-flop ("FF10")^[18][30]
• 2P73702 - Flip-flop ("FF11")^[18][30]
• 2P73703 - Flip-flop / Bistable multivibrator with built-in trigger gates and set-reset inputs (black) ("FF12")^[13][30]
• Dual trigger gate ("2.TG13")^[18][30]
• Dual trigger gate ("2.TG14")^[18][30]
• Quadruple trigger gate ("4.TG15")^[18][30]
• Dual positive gate inverter amplifier ("2.GI10")^[18][30]
• Dual positive gate inverter amplifier ("2.GI11")^[18][30]
• Dual positive gate inverter amplifier ("2.GI12")^[18][30]
• Gate amplifier ("GA11")^[18][30]
• One-shot multivibrator ("OS11")^[18][30]
• Timer unit ("TU10")^[18][30]
• Pulse driver ("PD11")^[18][30]
• Relay driver ("RD10")^[18][30]
• Relay driver ("RD11")^[30]
• Power amplifier ("PA10")^[18][30]
• Pulse shaper ("PS10")^[18][30]
• Numerical indicator tube driver ("ID10")^[30]

20-series

• 2P73710 - ("2.GI12", "2GI12")^[18]

Norbit 2 / Norbit-S family

60-series

• 2NOR60, 2.NOR60 - Twin NOR (black)^[19][13][30]
• 4NOR60, 4.NOR60 - Quadruple NOR (black)^[19][13][30]
• 2.IA60, 2IA60 - Twin inverter amplifier for low power output (blue)^[19][13][30]
• LPA60 - Twin low power output^[13]
• 2.LPA60, 2LPA60 - Twin low power output (blue)^[19][30]
• PA60 - Medium power output (blue)^[19][13][30]
• HPA60 - High power output (black)^[19][13]
• 2.SF60, 2SF60 - Twin input switch filter (green)^[19][13][30]
• TU60 - Timer (red)^[19][13][30]
• FF60 - Flip-flop^[13]
• GLD60 - Grounded load driver (black)^[19][13]

61-series

• TT61 - Trigger transformer^[19][30]
• UPA61 - Universal power amplifier^[19][13][30]
• RSA61 - Rectifier and synchroniser^[19][30]
• DOA61 - Differential operational amplifier^[19][30]
• 2NOR61, 2.NOR61 - Twin NOR^[19][13][30]

90-series

• PS90 - Pulse shaper (green)^[19][30]
• FF90 - Flip-flop (red)^[19][30]
• 2TG90, 2.TG90 - Twin trigger gate (red)^[19][30]

Accessories

• PSU61 - Power supply^[19]
• PCB60 - Printed wiring board^[19]
• MC60 - Mounting chassis^[19]
• UMC60 - Universal mounting chassis^[19]
• MB60 - Mounting bar^[19]

Photo gallery

• Examples of the 60-series NORBIT 2 family
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  Top view
• 
  Bottom view

• Examples of Printed Circuit Boards that uses the 60-series NORBIT 2 family
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See also

• Logic family
• fischertechnik

Notes

1. Mullard called these modules Combi-Element in the UK, whereas Philips and Valvo [de] just called them circuit blocks, but distinguished them from the original Norbit series.
2. Some later datasheets distinguished between the 100 kHz series and the 1-series.
3. So far, the assumed equivalence of Valvo [de]'s Norbit-S series with the Philips Norbit 2 series is based on their release date in 1967. Often, the modules of the newer families were still referred to as Norbits only.
4. The modules of the 90-series were grouped into the 60-series in early datasheets.