Difference between revisions of "Analog"
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'''Analog''' is a term used in computer-related discussions to describe the lowest ''conceptual'' level at which computer components can be examined. (Obviously, in actuality, all computers are 'analog' at their lowest level, since they are built out of electrical circuits.) | '''Analog''' is a term used in computer-related discussions to describe the lowest ''conceptual'' level at which computer components can be examined. (Obviously, in actuality, all computers are 'analog' at their lowest level, since they are built out of electrical circuits.) | ||
| − | As such, things such as [[voltage]]s, [[resistor]]s and [[transistor]]s are the concepts used. Note particulary that voltages are not binary, but can take any value (one of the meanings of 'analog'); this is important in topics such as [[meta-stability]]. | + | As such, things such as [[voltage]]s, [[current]]s, [[resistor]]s and [[transistor]]s are the concepts used. Note particulary that voltages are not binary, but can take any value (one of the meanings of 'analog'); this is important in topics such as [[meta-stability]]. |
The term is also used to name computing devices in which infinitely variable [[voltage]], etc, levels are used as data, instead of the limited discrete values used in [[digital]] computing devices. | The term is also used to name computing devices in which infinitely variable [[voltage]], etc, levels are used as data, instead of the limited discrete values used in [[digital]] computing devices. | ||
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Revision as of 16:26, 18 October 2018
Analog is a term used in computer-related discussions to describe the lowest conceptual level at which computer components can be examined. (Obviously, in actuality, all computers are 'analog' at their lowest level, since they are built out of electrical circuits.)
As such, things such as voltages, currents, resistors and transistors are the concepts used. Note particulary that voltages are not binary, but can take any value (one of the meanings of 'analog'); this is important in topics such as meta-stability.
The term is also used to name computing devices in which infinitely variable voltage, etc, levels are used as data, instead of the limited discrete values used in digital computing devices.
