Analog computer: Difference between revisions
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An '''analog computer''' (the older, UK spelling '''analogue''' was once common) is a computer in which [[analog]] information ( | An '''analog computer''' (the older, UK spelling '''analogue''' was once common) is a computer in which [[analog]] information (arbitrarily variable [[voltage]], etc) is the basic data, instead of the limited discrete values used in [[digital]] computing devices. (Obviously, in actuality, all computers are 'analog' at their lowest level, since they are built out of [[electricity|electrical]] [[circuit]]s.) | ||
{{stub}} | One can thus think of analog computers as having as their basic data [[floating point|real numbers]], and not the integers which are the fundamental data [[type]] supported in ordinary - i.e. non-analog - computers.) | ||
'Computation' in analog computers requires use of elements such as [[amplifier]]s, which can transform one [[signal]] into another one, which has a desired relationship to the original. | |||
Their computational power is limited, but for modelling real world systems, they were important in an age when [[digital computer]]s had very limited power. | |||
{{semi-stub}} | |||
==See also== | |||
* [[Electronic Associates Inc]] - suppliers of analog computers | |||
[[Category: Basics]] | [[Category: Basics]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:47, 20 September 2026
An analog computer (the older, UK spelling analogue was once common) is a computer in which analog information (arbitrarily variable voltage, etc) is the basic data, instead of the limited discrete values used in digital computing devices. (Obviously, in actuality, all computers are 'analog' at their lowest level, since they are built out of electrical circuits.)
One can thus think of analog computers as having as their basic data real numbers, and not the integers which are the fundamental data type supported in ordinary - i.e. non-analog - computers.)
'Computation' in analog computers requires use of elements such as amplifiers, which can transform one signal into another one, which has a desired relationship to the original.
Their computational power is limited, but for modelling real world systems, they were important in an age when digital computers had very limited power.
See also
- Electronic Associates Inc - suppliers of analog computers
