Analog computer AVK-31 or as parallelism seen in the past ...


    Regular readers of this blog already know that parallel computing is associated with multi-core processors and multi-processor systems. It's hard to believe, but more recently (by the standards of history) for parallel computing people used ... analog computers. Why? Yes, because analog computers allow parallel computing without OpenMP, MPI, and other "programming stuff." The main thing is to connect the wiring correctly. How it was?

    Analog computer AVK-31 purpose and main technical characteristics


    AVK-31 is designed for machine modeling of dynamic objects and systems, as well as for solving problems described by linear and nonlinear differential equations up to the 6th order. It is used both in stand-alone operation and as part of the corresponding analog-to-digital computing systems using additional interface devices. The AVK-31 machine belongs to the low power AVM class. It allows you to carry out in parallel: up to six operations of integrating the amount; up to six operations of summation and inversion; manual setting of up to 34 coefficients; up to two operations of multiplying two variables, or squaring, or dividing, or extracting the square root; up to two operations of reproducing nonlinear functions from one variable.

    To perform logical and auxiliary operations, the AVM has 45 logical and special elements, among which 16 logical (2 triggers, 2 NOT elements, 4 NAND elements, 4 relays, 2 comparators, 2 indication elements). It is possible to reproduce typical nonlinearities (one element for reproducing the deadband and diode elements for reproducing 8 operations such as two-sided limitation). Errors in performing basic linear operations range from 0.03 to 0.1%, non-linear - up to 0.5%.

    Machine design and composition


    The AVK-31 car has a desktop design. All components are placed in a single frame.
    The machine includes a rectifier, three stabilizers, a control unit BU-31, a control panel and seven operating units.

    To pair the AVK-31 machine with other computers (analog and digital) and with various external devices, the inputs and outputs of the control system are displayed on the sockets on the front panel and on the connectors for connecting external equipment.

    An example of a switching circuit is shown in the figure.


    For those who do not understand, the circuit diagram is a program :-). And the program development process involves connecting various sockets with wiring.

    Conclusion


    Joking as a joke, but analog computers were quite actively used, for example, to solve differential equations. True, there are no such tools as Intel Parallel Studio or PVS-Studio, which is probably why analog machines now cause a smile for beginners and nostalgia for programmers “aged”.

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