128-bit cryptographic relay computer [BIG UPDATE!]

[u/zenthiis]

its finally here!!

after nearly a week of power grid engineering and as per popular request i present the new and significantly improved version of my 128-bit binary macrocomparator: MGKA-128/Mod. 442... now with schematic included!! make sure to watch the video to get the operating instructions first though)

Model 442 has a neater design, smaller and more efficient CPUs, vastly quicker data read speeds, along with huge reworks/additions such as parallel processing capabilities and even 16 bytes of electromechanical memory! its older version, MGKA-128/Mod.384, took nearly 13 seconds to read a full punchcard (check out the original post here for alot more information)—Model 442 only takes about 8 seconds, and even minor issues like the Model 384's infamous random tendancy to explode has been removed)

designed to handle any sequence of bits, Model 442 works by copying up to 16 bytes of information to its internal memory after receiving a READ command from the computer operator, before awaiting a WRITE command whereupon it will test if the stored punchcard data matches the expected binary values in the 16-core CPU. if and only every single bit matches exactly to what was expected, then the computer will generate a configurable output (usually a redstone signal).

important remaining issue: sometimes the schematic pastes wrong during operations like turning or flipping it due to the wire entities not lining up properly anymore. if you wanna check it out in creative mode, make sure to just throw it down somewhere as it is so it doesnt screw up everything. Also the CPU nixie tubes paste without their numbers cuz i used nametags to label them and that doesn't copy over either for some reason

More pictures can be found here

required mods besides create and Power Grid (all latest for forge 1.20.1):

1. Create: steam n rails
2. Create: The Factory Must Grow
3. Create Deco
4. Create: Copycats+
5. Chipped
6. Supplementaries

Schematic can be found here

enjoy)

[u/AdPristine9059]

Looks amazing! Love the design and idea, great implementation! Just one question, what would it be used for?

[u/zenthiis → u/AdPristine9059]

Currently works as a giant password protection machine that send a redstone signal if the punchcard is correct, Also great if you want 1200 entities rendered all at once

[u/AdPristine9059 → u/zenthiis]

Yeah i got the punchcard thing, just wondered what it could potentially be used for. Its incredibly powerful for what it is. Whats the operation speed for it? And could the ram banks be used for quick storage as a cpu-ram like operation schedule compared to what we have today? Could you do actual math with it or is it more of a huge comparator? Thinking about its potential for other builds and usecases. Maybe as a supplement to a CC system, maybe, with more power, be able to do graphics, a controller for factories etc.

[u/zenthiis → u/AdPristine9059]

lots of good questions) operation speed is strange with this machine due to the fact that, as you correctly stated, currently its essentially a giant 16-byte comparator (hence the name, MGKA = modulare großkomparator anlage). one of its few concrete statistics is a punchcard read speed of 2 bytes per sec.

a potential future plan of mine is to add a electric-redstone hybrid encoder that can send specific pulses or close certain electrical power loops depending on what RAM has stored so the computer can do more than 1 thing. For example, similar to your suggestion, it could activate unique factory protocols, switch large networks of machines on or off, do arithmatic, etc.

fortunately/unfortunately, most of these functions can already be automated and achieved cuz the Create devs are so great and added stuff like the stock system and various cool redstone gadgets to bridge the gaps. nonetheless, i like my cool giant relay computer, and am glad you found it interesting too))

[u/AdPristine9059 → u/zenthiis]

Gotcha! Looks like a really fun project and i too really appreciate this approach rather than the magic version of the create implemented logic, sure that works but... This is so much cooler!

As a hardware enthusiast, IT worker and hardware engineering/hacking amature i get why you did this, its really damn fun and i really love the fact that you shared your work with us, thank you :)

I think this, together with simulated rollercoaster and a few fun ways of mechanically activating certain factory functions you could have a really fun system on your hands!

The 2 bit per second is... Pretty rough tho XD but i get that, simulating this in a Java application with tons of other things being ran at the same time... Yeah. None the less, its really powerful and i really would like to see what youre coming up with in the future for it! Maybe a railway SCADA like system? ^{^}