Elektronika B3-34

Datasheet legend
Ab/c: Fractions calculation
AC: Alternating current
BaseN: Number base calculations
Card: Magnetic card storage
Cmem: Continuous memory
Cond: Conditional execution
Const: Scientific constants
Cplx: Complex number arithmetic
DC: Direct current
Eqlib: Equation library
Exp: Exponential/logarithmic functions
Fin: Financial functions
Grph: Graphing capability
Hyp: Hyperbolic functions
Ind: Indirect addressing
Intg: Numerical integration
Jump: Unconditional jump (GOTO)
Lbl: Program labels
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display
LED: Light-Emitting Diode
Li-ion: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Lreg: Linear regression (2-variable statistics)
mA: Milliamperes of current
Mtrx: Matrix support
NiCd: Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable battery
NiMH: Nickel-metal-hydrite rechargeable battery
Prnt: Printer
RTC: Real-time clock
Sdev: Standard deviation (1-variable statistics)
Solv: Equation solver
Subr: Subroutine call capability
Symb: Symbolic computing
Tape: Magnetic tape storage
Trig: Trigonometric functions
Units: Unit conversions
VAC: Volts AC
VDC: Volts DC
Years of production: 1980-? Display type: Numeric display  
New price: SUR 85.00   Display color: Green  
    Display technology: Vacuum fluorescent display 
Size: 7½"×4"×2" Display size: 8+2 digits
Weight: 12 oz    
    Entry method: Reverse Polish Notation 
Batteries: 4×"D-0.55C" NiCd button Advanced functions: Trig Exp 
External power: BP2-3 adapter   Memory functions:  
I/O:      
    Programming model: Partially merged keystroke 
Precision: 8 digits Program functions: Jump Cond Subr Ind  
Memories: 14 numbers Program display: Keycode display  
Program memory: 98 program steps Program editing: Overwrite capability  
Chipset:   Forensic result:  

b3-34.jpg (36739 bytes) The B3-34 is is the first of member of the second generation of Soviet-made programmable calculators. It is very similar in appearance to the B3-21, but it is a significantly more sophisticated device.

 The B3-34, just as its close relative, the MK-61, is actually a fine, solidly designed, if somewhat slow, programmable calculator. Earlier, I was complaining about the workmanship, but having just replaced the display tube in my B3-34, I found that there was nothing wrong with the workmanship after all. The problems I experienced (uneven brightness of digits, severe crosstalk between digits) were simply a matter of a dying vacuum fluorescent display. (As to how I found spare parts for a vintage Russian programmable calculator, let that remain my secret!)

The B3-34 has 98 steps of program memory and 14 memory registers. Otherwise, it seems to be practically identical to the MK-61. The keyboard layout is almost the same, keycodes are identical, programs appear interchangeable between the two. Which means that you could key in the Gamma function program I wrote for the MK-61 and get the expected results on the B3-34, but where's the fun in that? Here is, instead, another Gamma function implementation, this one using an approximation based on the incomplete Gamma function. Mind you, the practical value of this program is dubious at best; due to the calculator's extreme slow speed of execution, the iteration in this program takes quite a number of minutes to execute. Still, I consider it an educational example that reveals a lot about this calculator's programming model.

00    41    П 1
01    01    1
02    40    П 0
03    25    \(\circlearrowright\)
04    5C    x<0
05    16    16
06    60    ИП 0
07    61    ИП 1
08    13    ÷
09    40    П 0
10    61    ИП 1
11    01    1
12    10    +
13    41    П 1
14    51    БП
15    03    03
16    01    1
17    61    ИП 1
18    11    -
19    5C    x<0
20    28    28
21    0L    /-/
22    41    П 1
23    60    ИП 0
24    12    ×
25    40    П 0
26    51    БП
27    16    16
28    61    ИП 1
29    02    2
30    04    4
31    24    xy
32    61    ИП 1
33    13    ÷
34    42    П 2
35    43    П 3
36    02    2
37    04    4
38    61    ИП 1
39    01    1
40    10    +
41    41    П 1
42    13    ÷
43    62    ИП 2
44    12    ×
45    42    П 2
46    10    +
47    0E    B^
48    0E    B^
49    63    ИП 3
50    11    -
51    57    x≠0
52    56    56
53    25    \(\circlearrowright\)
54    51    БП
55    35    35
56    63    ИП 3
57    02    2
58    04    4
59    16    ex
60    13    /
61    60    ИП 0
62    12    ×
63    50    C/П
64    51    БП
65    00    00