Operation modes of analog computers

As mentioned in the integrator article, every electrical analog computer must have the ability to switch between different operation modes in order to control the simulation.

The most basic operation modes derive from the practical integrator circuit: Initial condition (short “IC”), Operation (or “OP”) and HALT.

The following article shall give an overview of the operation modes of a THAT as well as an outlook on operation modes found on larger analog computers.

THAT operation modes

OFF

Turns off the computer, all elements are disconnected from the supply line.

Potentiometer setup (COEFF)

After the implementation of a program on an electrical analog computer, the coefficents are to be set up according to the calculation plan. The quality of a simulation is often dependent on very accurate potentiometer settings.

Therefore the THAT as many other electrical analog computers comes with the COEFF mode.

In this mode the potentiometers are supplied with a full machine unit on it’s input. The output of a coefficient is given to the display so it can be fine adjusted.

In order to display a certain coefficient, turn the coefficient switch to the desired potentiometer.

Initial condition (IC)

Before an actual calculation can be performed, the intergators must be loaded to their initial state (–> initial condition), which can be understood as the integration constant occuring when solving integrals.

The IC state is indicated with the yellow LED next to the display.

Operation (OP)

In operation mode the actual calculation is performed, which is indicated with the green LED.

In this mode the analog computer will not stop calculating until it is manually interrupted with the operation mode switch.

HALT

The HALT mode is a mode made mainly for diagnostic purposes.

When the operation mode switch is set to HALT, all integrators and therefore also all other computing elements will freeze in their current state, holding their current value.

This is very useful to debug a program, e.g. in case of an overload a user can stop the machine and check at which computing element the overload occured.

Note: The HALT mode is not perfect. Due to small leak currents and other imperfections the results can drift over time. Therefore HALT should be used “as fast as possible”.

REP and REPF

The repetitive mode is a very useful operation mode.

When set to REP, analog computers will continiously switch between IC and OP, so the calculation is repeated. The display shows the approximate operation time, where 1.000 equals 10 seconds operation time before reset.

In REPF (–> repetitive fast) the reset is performed 100 times faster, so 1.000 on the display equals 100 milliseconds operation time.

The LEDs will blink between IC and OP.

The simulation of a (simple) damped oscillation is a good example for the usage of repetitive operation.

MINION

The MINION mode was implement in order to connect and syncronize multiple THATs which each other on order to implement programs where their realizations exceed the number of available elements on one THAT.

When a THAT is set to MINION mode, it is controlled by another THAT and will be set to the same operation mode as the MASTER THAT.

The MASTER THAT is to be set into the desired operation mode by the user, which is likely OP or REP/REPF.

Other operation modes (not to be found on THATs)

Operating with HALT

Comparable to repetitive mode, operating with HALT is used to stop a calculation, mostly after a given time. When the HALT condition is fulfilled, the computer will be switch to HALT mode and needs to be manually instructed to continue or repeat. Although this mode is not to be found on the mode switch of a THAT, it can be realized by using the hybrid port in combination with timed signals, for example witch a script running on an adruino.

Iterative operation

Iterative operation is the most complex classic operation mode, because (groups of) integrators are not syncronized anymore but independent in their time cycles. This requires multiple timers and often also digital control logic.