Analog vs Digital devices, was Magnetics

From: ajp166 <ajp166_at_bellatlantic.net>
Date: Wed Nov 8 18:39:48 2000

>Ever since the late 60's, very large simulations of power
>grids were being performed on analog computers for the purposes of
>contingency analysis and dynamic stability assessment. These
>special-purpose analog computers filled entired rooms and sometimes
>had thousands of dynamic states (one integrator per dynamic state).


Exactly!

An older elector mechanical device did this for a different problem.

Given variables: speed over surface,
                        altitude,
                        gravity,
                        an objects drag

Problem: At what time do you release an object to hit a
                       predetermined spot.

Hint: it was top secret in the early 1940s.

Allison
Received on Wed Nov 08 2000 - 18:39:48 GMT