Figure eight (or less frequently, big beacon[1]) is a period 8 oscillator found by Simon Norton in 1970. It is the tenth most common naturally-occurring oscillator, being less common than the great on-off but more common than the spark coil.[2] With 12 cells in its initial phase, it is the smallest known period 8 oscillator, behind blocker at 15 cells. It is known that no period 8 oscillators exist with 10 or fewer cells.[3]
Because it produces a domino spark in one of its phases, it is useful for constructing larger oscillators that have period that is a multiple of eight. For example, it appears in tumbling T-tetson (period 8), sailboat (period 16), caterer on figure eight (the smallest period 24 oscillator), and figure eight on 36P22 (period 88).
Image gallery
One of the phases of the oscillator, which led to both of its names.
As a reflector
Figure eight has the ability to act as a 90-degree glider reflector when it is combined with a block, boat and eater 1. The input path (in green) and output path (in red) of the glider are shown below.
Figure eight acting as a reflector
RLE: here
See also
References
External links
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