Analog-hybrid Computer Using An Automatic Connection Type Switch Matrix

Abstract

In an analog-hybrid computer, an automatic connection type switch matrix device is installed between the digital computer and the analog computer. The switch matrix device is operated to establish connections among analog operational devices in the analog computer in response to command signals from the digital computer, thereby forming the desired analog operational circuit, and a suitable outer operational device is connected to a free connecting terminal of the switch matrix device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to analog-hybrid computers and more particularly to a computer comprising a switch matrix device for automatically establishing connections to form a desired analog operational circuit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In a conventional analog computer and hybrid computer, the desired analog operational circuit is formed by suitably connecting the operational elements through a patch board using patch cords. This patch board program system is inefficient in view of program preservation and storage, and gives rise to problems such as loose contacts at patch cord terminals and misconnections on the patch board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a novel analog-hybrid computer of automatic connection type free of prior art problems.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for arbitrarily connection outer operational devices to an analog-hybrid computer by way of an automatic connection type switch matrix device.

Still another ojbect of the invention is to provide an analog-hybrid computer whose functional capabilities are approximately equivalent to those available in the prior art without the conventional need of fixedly wiring all the operational elements of simulation language.

Briefly, with the above objects in view, the analog-hybrid computer of this invention is characterized in that free terminals which are not fixedly wired to operational elements of the computer are made externally available by way of an automatic connection type switch matrix device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the composition of an analog-hybrid computer,

FIG. 2 is a schematic connection diagram showing the essential part of an embodiment of this invention,

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of analog operational circuit formed by automatic connection according to the embodiment as in FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of switch used for the purpose of switch matrix device of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 denotes a digital computer, 2 an outer memory, 3 a linkage device, 4 an analog computer having a plurality of analog operational devices, 5 an automatic connection type switch matrix device, 6 an operational control device, 7 an indicating device, and 8 an outer operational device. In this computer system, an operational object such as a differential equation is carried out in the digital computer 1, the automatic connection type switch matrix device is controlled according to the result, whereby the desired analog operational circuit is formed and thus an operation is performed. More specifically, a command signal from the digital computer 1 is supplied through the linkage device 3 to the switch matrix device 5 and to the operational control device 6. The switch matrix device 5 is operated in response to the command signal to automatically connect various analog operational elements thus forming the desired analog operational circuit. The operational control device 6 controls operations performed in the analog operational circuit. In this manner the analog-hybrid computer system is operated.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the automatic connection type switch matrix device 5 wherein the references M.sub.1 and M.sub.7 denote switch matrix elements respectively, and a suitable switch is disposed at the crosspoint i in each switch matrix element as shown in FIG. 4. It is so arranged that the Y line Y.sub.i and the X line X.sub.i intersecting at the corsspoint i are connected or disconnected by the switch according to the command signal C.sub.i from the digital computer.

It is assumed that the switch matrix elements M.sub.1, M.sub.2 and M.sub.3 are called "stage 1," and M.sub.4, M.sub.5, M.sub.6 and M.sub.7 "stage 2." The inputs of analog operational elements 9 through 13 are connected to the X lines of the individual switch matrix elements of stage 2, and the outputs thereof are connected to the Y lines of the individual switch matrix elements of stage 1. The Y lines of the elements are connected to each other between the two stages. Among the analog operational elements, 9 is an integrator, 10 a multiplier, 11 a sign changer, 12 an integrator, and 13 an adder. For simplicity, the connection status of the Y lines of the switch matrix elements are indicated by the references m.sub.21 through m.sub.34. For example, the Y lines indicated by m.sub.22 are connected in the elements M.sub.2 and M.sub.5.

When a command signal is supplied from the digital computer to the automatic connection type switch matrix device, the switch at the crosspoint of the part indicated by a circle other than G is closed, thereby connecting the X and Y lines at this crosspoint. By this, an analog operational circuit to solve the following differential equation is formed.

(d.sup.2 x)/(dt.sup.2) + x (dx/dt) + x = 0 (1)

The analog computer employs the so-called parallel operational system in which many numbers of operational elements are simultaneously operated to perfrom necessary computations. Hence, the operational object is limited by the scale of the analog computer used, or by the number and kind of analog operational elements provided for the computer. To deal with operational objects above the limit, therefore, additional operational elements or special operational elements must be used. In the conventional analog computer having a patch board program system, additional operational elements are externally provided for use with the computer through patch cord connections and, thus, necessary operations are performed.

Also, in the prior art, the input and output terminals of the operational elements are fixedly wired to the automatic connection type switch matrix device. In such an arrangment, it is not easily possible to use external operational elements as in the patch board program system. As a result, the operational object is limited and the operational versatility is lowered.

For digital computers the so-called simulation language is available as an application program in which an analog computer is simulated, or the dynamic system is simulated by a digital computer. The advantage of this simulation language is its having a broad range of operational elements which even include less frequently used elements. In the automatic connection type analog-hybrid computer also, it is desirable to provide all the operational elements available by simulation language. To realize this, however, it is necessary to increase the scale of the automatic connection type switch matrix device, and the overall cost is inevitably increased.

According to this invention, frequently used basic operational elements such as integrators, adders, multipliers and potentiometers are fixedly wired to the matrix device in order to make it possible to easily connect outer operational elements to the computer via the automatic connection type switch matrix device. Then free terminals having no connection to the basic operational elements are provided outside the device. For example, in FIG. 2 IN.sub.1 through IN.sub.3 and OUT.sub.1 through OUT.sub.3 are the externally available terminals; the terminals IN.sub.1 through IN.sub.3 are connected to the X lines of the switch matrix elements M.sub.5 through M.sub.7 of the stage 2, and the terminals OUT.sub.1 through OUT.sub.3 are connected to the X lines of the switch matrix elements M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 of the stage 1. When it is desired to connect the output of the outer operational element to the analog operational circuit consisting of the operational elements, the output is connected to one of the terminals OUT.sub.1 through OUT.sub.3. When the input of the outer operational element is to be connected to the analog operational circuit, such input is connected to one of the terminals IN.sub.1 through IN.sub.3. For example, when a function generator 14 is used as the outer operational element, the output f(t) of the function generator is connected to the terminal OUT.sub.3 so that the switches at the crosspoints indicated by circles and also at the crosspoint G of switch matrix element M.sub.1 are closed. By this operation, an analog operational circuit as shown in FIG. 3 for solving the following equation is formed.

(d.sup.2 x)/(dt.sup.2) + x (dx/dt) + x = f(t) (2)

Arbitrary inputs or outputs of operational elements may be connected to terminals IN.sub.1 through IN.sub.3 or OUT.sub.1 through OUT.sub.3. These outer operational elements may be arbitrarily connected to the digital computer by way of an A-D converter and D-A converter, whereby the outputs of analog and digital computers are exchanged and thus hybrid operations can be easily realized.

ACcording to this invention, the softwear provided for the digital computer is arranged so as to cover all the operational functions, and even when an operational element in addition to the existing analog operational element group is required, such an additional element is to be described on the program as if it were provided. Automatic connections are established for the operational elements provided in the analog operational device group. Then, when an outer operational element is required, the computer system is supposed to supply the user with an output showing the relation between said externally available terminals and the operational elements to be connected to these terminals. This information enables the user to establish his desired connection and thus to execute the necessary operation.

Claims

We claim:

1. In an automatic connection type analog-hybrid computer comprising: an analog computer having a plurality of analog operational elements; a digital computer; and means for forming a desired analog operational circuit within said analog computer from selected ones of said analog operational elements; the improvement wherein said forming means comprises an automatic connection type switching matrix device having first and second conductive lines, predetermined ones of said first and second conductive lines being connected to said analog operational elements, and a plurality of crosspoint switch means disposed between said first and second lines and responsive to control signals from said digital computer for switching the connections between preselected ones of said first and second lines, at least one outer operational device disposed at the outside of said analog computer, and at least one set of free connecting terminals connected to said crosspoint switch means for connecting said at least one outer operational device to said analog computer by switching of said switching matrix device so as to form a desired analog operational circuit from selected ones of said analog operational elements and said outer operational device.

2. An automatic connection type analog-hybrid computer according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of analog operational elements include at least one of an integrator, a multiplier, and an adder circuit.

3. An automatic connection type analog-hybrid computer according to claim 1, further comprising analog-digital converter circuitry connected between said outer operational element and said digital computer.