Analog Computers

Analog computers are used to process analog data. Analog data is of continuous nature
and which is not discrete or separate. Such type of data includes temperature, pressure,
speed weight, voltage, depth etc. These quantities are continuous and having an infinite
variety of values.
It measures continuous changes in some physical quantity e.g. The Speedometer of a
car measures speed, the change of temperature
is measured by a Thermometer, the weight is measured by Weights machine. These
computers are ideal in situations where data can be accepted directly from measuring
instrument without having to convert it into numbers or codes.
Analog computers are the first computers being developed and provided the basis for
the development of the modern digital computers. Analog computers are widely used for
certain specialized engineering and scientific applications, for calculation and
measurement of analog quantities. They are frequently used to control process such as
those found in oil refinery where flow and temperature measurements are important.
They are used for example in paper making and in chemical industry. Analog computers
do not require any storage capability because they measure and compare quantities in
a single operation. Output from an analog computer is generally in the form of readings
on a series of dial (Speedometer of a car) or a graph on strip chart.
Digital Computers
A Digital Computer, as its name implies, works with digits to represent numerals, letters
or other special symbols. Digital Computers operate on inputs which are ON-OFF type
and its output is also in the form of ON-OFF signal. Normally, an ON is represented by a
1 and an OFF is represented by a 0. So we can say that digital computers process
information which is based on the presence or the absence of an electrical charge or we
prefer to say a binary 1 or 0.
A digital computer can be used to process numeric as well as non-numeric data. It can
perform arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and
also logical operations. Most of the computers available today are digital computers.
The most common examples of digital computers are accounting machines and
calculators.
The results of digital computers are more accurate than the results of analog computers.
Analog computers are faster than digital. Analog computers lack memory whereas
digital computers store information. We can say that digital computers count and analog
computers measures.
Hybrid Computers
A hybrid is a combination of digital and analog computers. It combines the best features
of both types of computers, i-e. It has the speed of analog computer and the memory
and accuracy of digital computer. Hybrid computers are used mainly in specialized
applications where both kinds of data need to be processed. Therefore, they help the
user, to process both continuous and discrete data. For example a petrol pump contains
a processor that converts fuel flow measurements into quantity and price values. In
hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an analog device is used which measures patient's
blood pressure and temperature etc, which are then converted and displayed in the
form of digits. Hybrid computers for example are used for scientific calculations, in
defense and radar systems.


The Types of computer
Computers are divided into three types according to their structure, speed and architecture.
Analog Computers
Digital Computers
Hybrid Computers

Analog computers:
The computers which provide us continuous information are called analog computers.
Analog computers represent physical quantities in the form of waves or in continuous form.

Examples:
Thermometer is the example of analog computers because it measures the length of a mercury
column continuously.
A traditional clock is the example of analog computers because the needle of clock covers the
distance of dial continuously. Weight machine and Speedo meter are other examples of analog
computers.

Characteristics of the analog computers:
1. These computers have no state
The Speed of analog computer is fast
These computers are not reliable
These computers became the base for digital computers
These computers are difficult to operate and use
These computers are easy to develop
These computers have small memory

Digital Computers:
The computers which present physical quantities with the help of symbols or numbers and
provide us discrete information are called digital computers.

Examples:
Digital watch, digital petrol stations and the computer, which we use nowadays, are the
examples of digital computers

Characteristics of the digital computers:
Digital computers have two states On (0) and Off (1).
These computers are easy to use.
Human being like to use digital computers.
These computers are reliable.
Digital computers have big memory.
Working speed of digital computers is slower as compared to analog computers.
These computers are further divided into different categories such as personal computers,
Mainframe computers and super computers.

Hybrid Computers:
The computers which have qualities of both digital and analog computers are called hybrid
computers.
Hybrid computer has the speed of analog and the accuracy of digital computer.
Example:
In ICU (Intensive care unit) of a hospital hybrid computers are used. These computers analog
quality controls the temperature of the room digital quality informs the doctor about the blood
pressure, temperature and physical status of the patient.
In Cement factory a hybrid computer is used where all calculations are performed by the digital
computers; and actions like increase of material are performed by the analog computers.

Characteristics of the Hybrid computers:
These computers are reliable and provide accurate result.
These computers are fast and speedy.

Personal Computers/Desktop computers:
These are small size computers and are used by a single user. Desktop computers are also
called Personal computers or PC. We can use these computers easily in offices, colleges, schools,
universities, homes, and factories.

Characteristics of Desktop computers:
These computers have fast speed and accuracy
Small in size
Easy to operate
These computers are easy to move
These computers are cheaper
We can use desktop computers as a single user and multi-user environment

Laptop Computers/Notebook:
Lap top computers are another category of personal computers. These computers are small in
size and light packed in. These computers are moveable because they work on batteries and
can operate without an external power source. Laptop computers are also called Notebook
computers because the size of these computers is about one- inch notebook and weight is from
four to eight pounds.

Analog Computers
Analog Computer is a computing device that works on continuous range of values. The results
given by the analog computers will only be approximate since they deal with quantities that
vary continuously. It generally deals with physical variables such as voltage, pressure,
temperature, speed, etc.
Digital Computers
On the other hand a digital computer operates on digital data such as numbers. It uses binary
number system in which there are only two digits 0 and 1. Each one is called a bit.
The digital computer is designed using digital circuits in which there are two levels for an input
or output signal. These two levels are known as logic 0 and logic 1. Digital Computers can give
more accurate and faster results.
Digital computer is well suited for solving complex problems in engineering and technology.
Hence digital computers have an increasing use in the field of design, research and data
processing.
Based on the purpose, Digital computers can be further classified as,
General Purpose Computers
Special Purpose Computers
Special purpose computer is one that is built for a specific application. General purpose
computers are used for any type of applications. They can store different programs and do the
jobs as per the instructions specified on those programs. Most of the computers that we see
today, are general purpose computers.
Hybrid Computers
A hybrid computer combines the desirable features of analog and digital computers. It is mostly
used for automatic operations of complicated physical processes and machines. Now-a-days
analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters are used for transforming the data into
suitable form for either type of computation.
For example, in hospitals ICU, analog devices might measure the patients temperature, blood
pressure and other vital signs. These measurements which are in analog might then be
converted into numbers and supplied to digital components in the system. These components
are used to monitor the patients vital sign and send signals if any abnormal readings are
detected. Hybrid computers are mainly used for specialized tasks.
Types of Computers based on Configuration
There are four different types of computers when we classify them based on their performance
and capacity. The four types are
Super Computers
When we talk about types of computers, the first type that comes to our mind would be Super
computers. They are the best in terms of processing capacity and also the most expensive ones.
These computers can process billions of instructions per second. Normally, they will be used for
applications which require intensive numerical computations such as stock analysis, weather
forecasting etc. Other uses of supercomputers are scientific simulations, (animated) graphics,
fluid dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design, and analysis of geological
data (e.g. in petrochemical prospecting). Perhaps the best known super computer
manufacturer is Cray Research. Some of the "traditional" companies which produce super
computers are Cray, IBM and Hewlett-Packard.
Mainframe Computers
Mainframe computers can also process data at very high speeds vi.e., hundreds of million
instructions per second and they are also quite expensive. Normally, they are used in banking,
airlines and railways etc for their applications.
Mini Computers
Mini computers are lower to mainframe computers in terms of speed and storage capacity.
They are also less expensive than mainframe computers. Some of the features of mainframes
will not be available in mini computers. Hence, their performance also will be less than that of
mainframes.
Micro Computers
The invention of microprocessor (single chip CPU) gave birth to the much cheaper
microcomputers. They are further classified into
Desktop Computers
Laptop Computers
Handheld Computers(PDAs)