Analogue Processors are coming back
Tags: news, hardware, productivity, performance
Published: 2024-05-29 10:31:18

There have been some discussions about starting to use analogue processors rather than Digital processors. This Post is to talk about them.

## What is an analogue processor?.

An analogue processor is a type of computer processor that works with continuous, real-world data such as sound, light, and temperature. It doesn’t convert the data into digital form, but processes it directly, which can make it more efficient for certain tasks. This is different from a digital processor, which works with data that has been converted into a binary format. Analogue processors were common before the digital era, and they’re making a comeback in some areas of technology today.



## Different to consider Between Analogue and Digital Processors

**Signal**: Analogue processors work with continuous signals which represent physical measurements1. On the other hand, digital processors work with discrete time signals generated by digital modulation.

**Representation**: Analogue processors use a continuous range of values to represent information1. Digital processors, however, use discrete or discontinuous values to represent information.

**Technology**: Analogue technology records waveforms as they are. Digital technology samples analogue waveforms into a limited set of numbers and records them.

**Data Transmissions**: Analogue transmissions are subjected to deterioration by noise during transmission and write/read cycle. Digital transmissions can be noise-immune without deterioration during transmission and write/read cycle.

**Response to Noise**: Analogue processors are more likely to get affected by noise, reducing accuracy1. Digital processors are less affected since noise responses are analogue in nature.

**Flexibility**: Analogue hardware is not flexible1. Digital hardware is flexible in implementation.

**Uses**: Analogue processors are best suited for audio and video transmission1. Digital processors are best suited for computing and digital electronics.

**Bandwidth**: Analogue signal processing can be done in real time and consumes less bandwidth1. There is no guarantee that digital signal processing can be done in real time and it consumes more bandwidth to carry out the same information.

**Memory**: Analogue processors store data in the form of wave signal1. Digital processors store data in the form of binary bit1.
Power: Analogue instruments draw large power1. Digital instruments draw only negligible power.

**Cost**: Analogue processors are generally low cost and portable1. Digital processors are generally high cost and not easily portable1.
Impedance: Analogue processors have low impedance1. Digital processors have high order of 100 megaohm.

**Errors**: Analogue instruments usually have a scale which is cramped at lower end and give considerable observational errors1. Digital instruments are free from observational errors like parallax and approximation errors.

In summary, while both types of processors have their own advantages and applications, the choice between analogue and digital depends on the specific requirements of the task at hand.

## Advantages of using Analogue Processors

Analogue computers could be part of the solution to this sensor power problem. These are the types of computers we relied on before digital computers, and they don’t need to translate their inputs into any special computer language before they can process it and deliver a meaningful output.
With the use of responses to noise and with no need of having more power in some devices to convert analogue to digital, Analogue processors show an advantage in saving power.