Page 39 - Analog Circuit Design Art, Science, and Personalities

Is Analog Circuit Design Dead?

tify its existence. So long as transduction remains analog in nature, the conversion
process will be required.
A further observation is that many microprocessors are being used not to replace
but to enhance a fundamentally analog measurement or process. The current spate
of microprocessor-controlled digital voltmeters furnishes one good example; others
include digital storage oscilloscopes and smart thermometers.
If one insists on bringing ego into the arena, the digital devotee will argue that the
analog content of these things is an unfortunate nuisance that must be tolerated. The
analog aficionado, if permitted to speak, will counter that digital techniques exist
only to aid in getting a better grip on a fundamentally analog existence. The ques-
tion of who is most correct is subject to endless debate and is not really germane.
The point is that although analog is not dead, its remaining practitioners must be
more systems creatures and less circuit addicts. To be sure, circuits are required to
build systems, but analog technicians can only make themselves indispensable in a
digital world by their recognized ability to supply what it needs to accomplish its
mission.
That this is the case can be easily proven. Consider the effect on the major digital
powers of a complete embargo of data converters and signal-conditioning compo-
nents by the small analog nations. How can a supermarket scale compute the cost of
goods it can’t get weight information on? Of what use is a process controller without
inputs or outputs? Think of the long lines of microprocessors waiting at the distrib-
utors for what few DIPS of analog 1/0 might be available! Imagine rationing of
instrumentation amplifiers and V/F converters and alternate D/A and A/D days.
So it seems that analog is not so dead after all but really playing possum. By
occupying this position, analoggers will stay healthy, very much alive, and need not
leave town.
An uneasy but workable harmony has thus been negotiated with the dominating
numerical nemesis. This compromise is not optimal, but it’s certainly a more desir-
able and useful existence than being dead and is worthy of praise and respect by
everyone.
Do all you bit pushers out there get the message?

Figure 4-3.
Analoggers can
stay very much
alive and need
not leave town.

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