Difference between revisions of "Minion"

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To implement large programs, multiple [[The Analog Thing]]s can be connected in minion chains by connecting the <code>MASTER OUT</code> ports to <code>MINION IN</code> ports using ribbon cables.
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The '''Minion mode''' allows the connection of two or more [[The Analog Thing]]s together in a '''Minion chain''' to realize a
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bigger analog computer for more complex tasks or simulations which need more computing
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elements than a single device provides. There is no limit to the number of THATs working
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together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named <code>MASTER</code> to
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the next device's <code>MINION IN</code> port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected
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connected to the second one, and so on.
  
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The Minion mode allows the connection of two or more THAT together to realize a
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The THAT furthest to the left in a minion chain is the chain's MASTER. It controls all remaining THATs of that chain, which must all be switched to MINION mode. The speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from the MASTER. In the
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bigger analog computer for more complex tasks or simulations which need more calculator
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COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
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elements than a single device provides. There is no limitation of the number of devices working
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while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the MASTER. Computing elements of different THATs in the same minion chain can be connected with patch cables in the same way connections are patched on a single THAT.
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together. The connection is made with a small flat cable from the jack named MASTER OUT to
 
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the next device and it's jack MINION IN. If more than two ANALOG THING needed, the next is
 
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connected to the second and so on.
 
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The most left controls all connected devices which must be switched into MINION mode except
 
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the first (most left). Speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from this master. In
 
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COEFFICIENT mode the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately
 
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while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the first (MASTER). All other
 
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devices have to stay in MINION mode. Elements of each ANALOG THING can be connected
 
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together with patch cables over different devices in the same way you would do for the single
 
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device.
 
  
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== Theory and Terminology ==
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THATs in a minion chain form a ''singly linked list''. This way of connecting THATs is also referred to
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as ''daisy chaining'' or as creating a ''minion chain''. The concept of a single controller (MASTER) with one or more
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controlled entities (MINIONS) was conventionally referred to as a ''master/slave model''. As this choice of terms has fallen out of favor, the term ''MINION'' is used. For further
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reading, see for instance [https://www.vice.com/en/article/8x7akv/masterslave-terminology-was-removed-from-python-programming-language] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master/slave_(technology)#Terminology_concerns].
  
 
== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==
 
== Daisy-Chaining gallery ==
  
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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   File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two Analog Things in Master-Slave mode
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   File:THAT MINION 4.jpg|Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain
 
   File:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
 
   File:THAT MINION 2.jpg|The same setup including a single [[Oscilloscope]]
 
   File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup
 
   File:Cta bg.jpg|closeup

Latest revision as of 16:59, 12 August 2021

The Minion mode allows the connection of two or more The Analog Things together in a Minion chain to realize a bigger analog computer for more complex tasks or simulations which need more computing elements than a single device provides. There is no limit to the number of THATs working together in this way. The connection is made with a small flat cable (ribbon cable) from the port named MASTER to the next device's MINION IN port. If more than two THAT are needed, the next one is to be connected connected to the second one, and so on.

The THAT furthest to the left in a minion chain is the chain's MASTER. It controls all remaining THATs of that chain, which must all be switched to MINION mode. The speed (OP TIME) and all modes are controlled from the MASTER. In the COEFFICIENT mode, the values for the eight coefficients on any device can be setup separately while IC/OP/HALT/REP/REPF modes are controlled only from the MASTER. Computing elements of different THATs in the same minion chain can be connected with patch cables in the same way connections are patched on a single THAT.

Theory and Terminology

THATs in a minion chain form a singly linked list. This way of connecting THATs is also referred to as daisy chaining or as creating a minion chain. The concept of a single controller (MASTER) with one or more controlled entities (MINIONS) was conventionally referred to as a master/slave model. As this choice of terms has fallen out of favor, the term MINION is used. For further reading, see for instance [1] or [2].

Daisy-Chaining gallery

  • Two THE ANALOG THINGs connected in a Minion Chain

  • The same setup including a single Oscilloscope

  • closeup

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