A Quantitative/Method of Speed Comparison Between Analog/Hybrid and Digital Computers

For many years it has been claimed that analog and hybrid computers have a sizeable speed advantage over digital computers in the solution of differential equations. This speed advantage has, in fact, been documented for a number of specific studies, where direct comparisons with all-digital solutions have shown reduced run times and resulting cost savings using analog or hybrid computers. The purpose of this paper is to present a quantitative method of speed comparison that is quite general and allows direct speed comparisons between specific analog and digital computers. The method is based on previous reports written by the authors.^1,2Ability to make such speed comparisons is particularly important at this time when faster and faster digital computers are being marketed at generally lower prices.