The Impact of Hybrid Analog-Digital Techniques on the Analog-Computer Art

In a sense, many present-day analog computers exist in a gap left by the cost-speed characteristics of available digital computers. But even as digital computers improve, the all-parallel "live mathematical model" afforded by analog-type simulation remains indispensable to the system designer. As a result, new hybrid computing elements and systems combine analog and digital features, and analog computers are becoming faster. The techniques discussed include combination of conventional analog and digital computers, digital programming and checkout of analog computers, operational digital computing elements, new high-speed analog computers with memory and digital switching, true hybrid computing elements, and some hybrid computer systems.