Hi

so if FPGAs can implement thousands of digital logic devices into a small size chip, then how about implementing thousands of analog devices into a small size thingy? Does anyone know any information about it?
Basically putting the system into one small piece.

 

There are many integrated circuits with analog functions. Analog computers are no longer in fashion, though. Things like operational amplifiers are more in style.

 

I've always thought of op amps as the basic "gate" of analog computers. One of the reasons analog computers aren't used much is digital can simulate almost anything with a reasonable amount of accuracy, so a lot of the omph for R&D is gone. Also, there are newer types of electronics that are being researched, things like neural nets, which is definitely electronic but not quite digital and not well understood as I understand it (though a college type might argue the point). Analog is well understood, but has a lot of limitations, so people and institutions invest in fields that aren't as well understood.

Another problem is architecture. You can program a digital computer with ones and zeros, analog has to be hard wired for a function.

 

Do a Google search on "analog array".

 

The real impediment to analog miniaturization to the same level as digital circuits have been, is the difficulty in fabricating the passive components required by an analog design.