Analog Computing for the 21st Century

TL;DR

This paper argues that analog computing, alongside quantum computing, holds significant potential for advancing computational power and energy efficiency, challenging the notion that it is a historical dead-end.

Contribution

It provides an overview of the limits of digital computers, introduces analog computing, and discusses recent developments that could reshape future computing paradigms.

Findings

Analog computing can surpass digital computers in energy efficiency.

Recent developments indicate a resurgence of analog computing technologies.

Analog computing has the potential to revolutionize future computational systems.

Abstract

Many people think of analog computing as a historic dead-end in computing. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth as analog computing - together with quantum computing - has the potential to bring computing to new levels with respect to raw computational power and energy efficiency. The following paper explains the limits of digital computers, gives a quick introduction to analog computing in general, and shows a number of recent developments that will change the way we think about computers in the next few years.