616 THE BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL, JULY 1951 



On the other hand, if the output number base were changed to centesimal 

 the number of output bus-bars would be increased to 200 but the redtiction 

 in the number of places would reduce the number of output leads from each 

 coding element to two. This might be of possible economic advantage. If 

 it were not permissible to end up with a centesimal output, it would be 

 necessary to provide a secondary translator to change the output from a 

 centesimal to the decimal or other system required, and this would reduce 

 the economy of the centesimal output. 



What About New Concepts for Translators? 



There are in the "proposed" state numerous interesting variations of 

 the basic translator principle which has been outlined. These have as ob- 

 jectives lower system first costs and improved tractability for changes. 



The general concept for changeable translators of the non-systematic 

 type which has been repeatedly stated above appears in so many forms 

 in practice and in inventions and suggestions ranging through varieties of 

 mechanical, electromechanical, electro-optical and electronic types that one 

 might wonder: (1) Is it not possible to design a large scale changeable 

 translator with a different basic concept? (2) If it is possible, what might 

 be gained? 



We have noted, in the "pre-translator," a departure from the general 

 concept of changeable translators, and there are others. However, they are 

 all limited scale types apphcable to special conditions. 



A recently pubUshed article^ indicates a new hne of attack on the prob- 

 lem of obtaining a changeable translator with greater speed and reliabihty 

 so that it could be used to carry a greater load than now customary. Not 

 enough details are given to indicate whether the electronic arrangements 

 outlined depart from the basic concept of existing translators, but, if they 

 do not, they at least present interesting variations. 



What could be gained by entirely new concepts for translators can not 

 be answered in advance except in terms of what would be welcome. The 

 present general designs give good performance and there is Uttle need for 

 improvement in this respect. What is always welcome is lower costs, par- 

 ticularly the cost of making changes. 



Identebters 



What is Meant by "Identifier" 



It was stated at the beginning of this paper that identifiers are relatively 

 new in the switching art. This applies to identifiers which are sufficiently 



•T. H. Flowers, "Introduction to Electronic Automatic Telephone Exchanges- 

 Register — Translators," Post Office Electrical Engineers^ Journal, January 1951. 



