How artificial intelligence has helped and hindered calibration

Calibration is one area of technology that shows early application of rudimentary artificial intelligence. Most applications are found in work called "Automation". Presented is an example from the early 1960s showing the steps then necessary to accomplish the result. The Automatic Standard Cell Comparator described achieved measurements with both resolution and repeatability of one part in 10/sup 7/. Unavailability of desktop computers or modern integrated circuits required building the needed functions into hardware and somewhat limited the results. Modern measuring instruments and calibrators' benefit from artificial intelligence algorithms that are used to optimize the measurement function internally and the external interface properties. Calibration of instruments or devices that use artificial intelligence requires evaluating the behavior over the full range of possible functions and needs full knowledge of device operation and capability.