Analog vs Digital devices, was Magnetics

From: Don Maslin <donm_at_cts.com>
Date: Thu Nov 9 00:15:48 2000

On Wed, 8 Nov 2000, ajp166 wrote:

> >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
>
 
And rather smaller and lighter than the Navy's Mark 1A (analog) fire
control computer which did a rather precise job of laying 2000# 16"
- and smaller - projectiles to the desired location.

                                                 - don
 
Received on Thu Nov 09 2000 - 00:15:48 GMT