The Design Fort DTP wrote:
> I would be interested to learn more about the Heathkit EC-1
> analog computer. So far I only found pictures and specifications
> on the net. Is there a website that actually explained how
> this machine worked and/or what it could/can do.
> Even more are there informations about "programs" that this
> machine could run?
Most computer applications are simulations of one
kind or another, word processors, spreadsheets, drawing
programs, even a desktop GUI. Analog computers are the
masters of the art of simulation, but they are not used
for mundane simulations like these.
Analog Computers run mathematical simulation of physical
systems. Everything from the decay of subatomic particles
to the interaction of two colliding galaxies.
Do you want to:
* See the results of a chemical reaction?
* Test the design of an automobile tire?
* Study the effects of pollution on a fish population?
* Model blood flow through an organ?
* Understand the effects of lowering the interest rate?
* Fine tune the design of the Space Shuttle main engine?
* Control flooding on a major river?
* Explore new types of music?
All of these are physical systems governed by mathematical
equations.
Analog computers are PURELY parallel and can run programs
slower than real time, real time or faster than real time.
Simulations can be halted at any point and all aspects of
the simulation can be examined. Changes can then be made
and the simulation can then be continued from the point it
was halted or restart from the beginning. So, analog computers
can not only simulate a fixed systems, but can also test
'what if' cases very easily.
Analog computers can be a hardwired special purpose type or
flexible general purpose type.
The EC-1 with only nine amplifiers can be limiting in the
size of simulations it will handle. But analog computers
don't have the compatibility and the connectivity problem
of digital computers. Ten EC-1s could be connected together
to form an EC-1 with 90 amplifiers. The only problem would
be if more than 9 integrators were used then a slight
modification would have to be made to each EC-1 using an
integrator to allow one EC-1 to control the mode.
An EC-1 can also be directly connected to another brand
of analog computer. No problem other than the mode control
of integrators.
The lure of the EC-1 is that it a inexpensive and compact
example of vacuum tube computing.
The world is analog. The human mind is analog.
Digital computers make a nice hobby, and work just fine for
tasks composed of sequential steps, but they are just an
over hyped fad.
--Doug
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Doug Coward
_at_ home in Poulsbo, WA
Analog Computer Online Museum and History Center
http://dcoward.best.vwh.net/analog
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Received on Fri May 02 2003 - 12:53:01 BST