# NORBIT

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

## Overview

The system was originally conceived as building blocks for solid-state 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.
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.
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. These modules were specified for frequencies of less than 1 kHz at ±24 V supply.
Also available in 1960 were so called Combi-Element 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. They were grouped in the 1-series (aka "100 kHz series") with ±6 V supply. 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. 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).
In 1967, the Philips/Mullard NORBIT 2 aka Valvo NORBIT-S family of modules was introduced, first consisting of the 60-series for frequencies up to 10 kHz at a single supply voltage of 24 V, only. Later, the 61-series, containing thyristor trigger and control modules, was added. A 90-series 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.

## Modules
### Original Norbit family
#### YL 6000 series

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

#### YL 6100 series

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

#### 88930 Relay series

Used to control relays using variable-length pulse sequences (as with telephone pulse dialing).
* 88930/30 - Input/Output unit 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) 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 Adds two additional commands to the /33.
* 88930/37 - Quad command unit Adds four additional commands to the /33.
* 88930/39 - Output unit 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 For adding custom circuitry. Comprises an empty housing, connector, and blank circuit board.
* 88930/48 - Pulse shaper unit for /33 (no housing)
* 88930/51 - Command preparation unit (no housing) For providing input to command units.
* 88930/54 - Reset unit
* 88930/57 - Relay amplifier unit (no housing) For driving a low-impedance relay such as the /60 relay block unit.
* 88930/60 - Relay block unit Double-pole, double throw 250V 2A relay. Accepts a /57 relay amplifier unit.
* 88930/64 - Power supply unit 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")
* B893001, B164904 - Twin 2-input AND gates (orange) ("2.2A1", "2x2N1")
* B893002, 2P72729 - Twin 3-input OR gates (orange) ("2.3O1", "23O1", "2x3P1")
* B893003, 2P72730 - Twin 2-input OR gates (orange) ("2.2O1", "22O1", "2x2P1")
* B894002, B164910 - Twin inverter amplifier (yellow) ("2IA1", "2.IA1", "2xIA1")
* B894005, 2P72728 - Twin inverter amplifier (yellow) ("2IA2", "2xIA2")
* B894001, B164909 - Twin emitter follower (yellow) ("2EF1", 2xEF1")
* B894003, 2P72727 - Twin emitter follower (yellow) ("2EF2", "2xEF2")
* B894000, B164907 - Emitter follower/inverter amplifier (yellow) ("EF1/IA1")
* B895000, B164901 - Pulse shaper (Schmitt trigger + amplifier) (green) ("PS1")
* B895001, B164908 - One-shot multivibrator ("OS1")
* B895003 - One-shot multivibrator ("OS2")
* B892000, B164902 - Flip-flop (red) ("FF1")
* B892001, 2P72707 - Shift-register Flip-flop (red) ("FF2")
* B892002 - Flip-flop (red) ("FF3")
* B892003 - Flip-flop (red) ("FF4")
* B893004, 2P72726 - Pulse logic (orange) ("PL1", "2xPL1")
* B893007 - Pulse logic (orange) ("2xPL2")
* B885000, B164911 - Decade counter ("DC1")
* B890000 - Power amplifier ("PA1")
* B896000 - Twin selector switch for core memories ("2SS1")
* B893005 - Selection gate for core memories ("SG1")
* 2P72732 - Pulse generator for core memories ("PG1")
* 2P72731 - Read amplifier for core memories ("RA1")

#### 10-series

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

#### 20-series

* 2P73710 - ("2.GI12", "2GI12")

### Norbit 2 / Norbit-S family
#### 60-series

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

#### 61-series

* TT61 - Trigger transformer
* UPA61 - Universal power amplifier
* RSA61 - Rectifier and synchroniser
* DOA61 - Differential operational amplifier
* 2NOR61, 2.NOR61 - Twin NOR

#### 90-series

* PS90 - Pulse shaper (green)
* FF90 - Flip-flop (red)
* 2TG90, 2.TG90 - Twin trigger gate (red)

#### Accessories

* PSU61 - Power supply
* PCB60 - Printed wiring board
* MC60 - Mounting chassis
* UMC60 - Universal mounting chassis
* MB60 - Mounting bar

## Photo gallery

* Examples of the 60-series NORBIT 2 family
* Top view
* Bottom view
* Examples of Printed Circuit Boards that uses the 60-series NORBIT 2 family