Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:42:31 -0000 [06:42:31 AM MST] From: calcyman <calcyman@yahoo.com> To: LifeCA@yahoogroups.com Subject: [LifeCA] 183-digit prime-period oscillator http://calcyman.awardspace.co.uk/life/basis17.lif The oscillator repeats every 2^607-1 generations. It is accomplished by a p8192 base loop (2^13) followed by 506 period doublers (2^506) and 44 period quadruplers (2^88) and a 1 generation glider advancer (-1). This corresponds to the Mersenne prime M607, which has 183 digits. This method can be extended to yield any Mersenne prime oscillator, including the recently discovered 12-million-digit megaprime. To avoid timing issues, the glider advancer is asynchronous. The input glider is allowed to arrive at any time (apart from a small 'window' where it collides with the clock glider). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mersenne_prime Merry Christmas and a Happy New Decade, Adam P. Goucher