Electra sim computer (was: Re: "Basics of Analog Computers" book)

From: Doug Coward <dcoward_at_pressstart.com>
Date: Tue Nov 7 21:49:29 2000

"Mark Gregory" <gregorym_at_cadvision.com> said:
> If the captions on the pictures (very nice, by the way) are correct, this

 Yes, they are terrific. Gene, tell us where this simulator is located.

> simulator isn't an analog computer at all by the definition I'm familiar
> with. It uses tubes and relays, which are discrete digital components

 Well others here have covered your misconception about tubes. But relays
are also an important part of an analog computer. Relays can be used to
connect and disconnect special circuits like weather, hazards, malfunctions.
Relays are also used on every integrator to set that integrator back to
it's initial conditions when the computer is reset.

 What tells me that it's analog is:

* The fact that it has to stablize for 7 days
* The main output is plotting boards
* All of the panel meters I see
* The operator's panel is just switches and knobs
* "relay/tube" modules are just too big to be logic circuits.
* Aircraft simulators need the true parallel processing of an analog computer.
   (Up until the early 70's)
* I really don't see anything that suggests digital components anywhere in
these pictures.

Thanks for the pictures Gene. Where I work in Sunnyvale is right on the
approach for NAS Moffett field. P3s fly over all the time.
 --Doug


===================================================
Doug Coward dcoward_at_pressstart.com (work)
Sr Software Engineer mranalog_at_home.com (home)
Press Start Inc. http://www.pressstart.com
Sunnyvale,CA

Visit the new Analog Computer Museum and History Center
   at http://www.best.com/~dcoward/analog
===================================================
Received on Tue Nov 07 2000 - 21:49:29 GMT

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