Difference between Analog and Digital Computers

[Project in TLE3]

Submitted by:

Sheila Mae Basbas Amiel Seth Dexter Sacdalan

There are two distinct families

of computing device available to us today, the all pervasive

digital computer and almost forgotten analog

computer. These two types of computer operate on quite

different principles.

What is an Analog Computer?

- a form of computer that uses the continuously-changeable aspects of physical phenomena such as electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic quantities to model the problem being solved.

- In operation, analog computers contain a mathematical model of the problem.

Example of an Analog Computer

Educational Analog Computer, introduced in 1960 by Heathkit.

What is a Digital Computer?

• A computer that stores data in terms of digits (numbers) and proceeds in discrete steps from one state to the next.

• The states of a digital computer typically involve binary digits which may take the form of the presence or absence of magnetic markers in a storage medium, on-off switches or relays.

Example of a Digital Computer

Mainframe Digital Computer

What is the difference between Analog

Computer and Digital Computer?

• the digital computer represents data internally using a quite verbose but very robust form of representation called binary. Thus a single transistor in a digital computer can only store two states. Obviously to store a number to any sensible degree of precision, many transistors are required.

•an analog computer operates in a completely opposite way to the digital computer. For a start, all operations in an analog computer are performed in parallel. Secondly, data are represented as voltages, a very compact but not necessarily robust form of storage. A single capacitor (equivalent to the digital computer’s use of a transistor) can represent one continuous variable.

Resources:

• http://www.google.com.ph/• http://www.cds.caltech.edu/~hsauro/Analog.htm

• http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ASC/DIGITA_COMPU.html

Submitted to:Mr. Jenelou John Israel

The End

Thank you!