Origins of the Setun computer

The Setun was created in 1958 at Moscow State University by Nikolaï Broussentsov and Sergueï Sobolev. It used a ternary system with three states—-1, 0, and +1—instead of the binary system with two states.

Ternary system and its early history

The Setun is considered the first electronic ternary computer. However, its concept had a mechanical predecessor: in 1840, Thomas Fowler designed a wooden calculating machine using a ternary system, though it was not electronic.

Technical features of the Setun

The Setun used balanced ternary, where each digit, called a "trit," could be -1, 0, or +1. This system allows a trit to carry about 60% more information than a bit, reducing the need for electrical wiring.

Design and components of the Setun

The Setun used magnetic cores and diodes instead of transistors, which were rare in the Soviet Union at the time. It contained about 4,000 magnetic cores, 4,000 diodes, 100 transistors, and 40 vacuum tubes.

Production and usage

Between 1959 and 1965, about 50 Setun units were produced and used in universities, research centers, and industrial structures. The production line was shut down in 1965, likely due to administrative decisions and the dominance of binary systems.

Legacy and influence

Despite its limited production, the Setun's design principles influenced later developments. Broussentsov later worked on the Setun-70, an experimental model, and the DSSP programming system emulates its architecture.

Modern interest and status

The Setun remains unique as the only ternary computer ever built. While some modern research explores ternary systems for efficiency, no commercial ternary computer has been developed yet.

Nikolaï Broussentsov's legacy

Nikolaï Broussentsov, who led the Setun project, passed away in 2014. His work continues to be studied, and recent research suggests renewed interest in ternary computing for potential cost reductions in artificial intelligence.