Hybrid computer to solve nonlinear programming problems

Claim 1

A hybrid computer for solving nonlinear programming problems, comprising: a. an analog computing unit having inputs, an output and incorporating: 1. a first channel of initial conditions, for shaping a signal proportional to a time derivative of an auxiliary function of the initial conditions by signals proportional to current values of variables and by preset signals proportional to desired initial values, said first channel having inputs and an output, and including in a series connection: i. a first analog model of the initial conditions whose inputs serve for said first channel, ii. a first unit for shaping components of the auxiliary function of the initial conditions, iii. a first differential unit of the initial conditions, and iiii. a first unit for differentiating the auxiliary function of the initial conditions, whose output serves for said first channel; 2. a second channel of a problem, having inputs combined with said inputs of the first channel and serving also as said inputs of the computing unit, for shaping a signal proportional to a time derivative of an auxiliary function of the problem, by signals proportional to current values of variables and by conditions of the problem, said second channel also having an output, and including in a series connection: i. a second analog model of the problem, for introducing therein the conditions of the problem, having inputs serving for said second channel, ii. a second unit for shaping components of the auxiliary function of the problem. iii. a second differential unit of the problem, and iiii. a second unit for differentiating the auxiliary function of the problem, whose output serves for said second channel; 3. a switch whose inputs are connected to said outputs of the first and the second channels, and having an output: 4. an output amplifier whose output serves as said outputs of the computing unit, connected to said output of the switch, to connect an input of said amplifier in a first or initial condition presetting mode: to said output of the first channel, and in a second or finding mode: to said output of the second channel, b. a analog-to-digital converter, having an output, and which is a zero organ connected to said output of the output amplifier to generate a signaL proporational to the sign of a time derivative of a respective auxiliary function, c. a digital computing unit having an input and outputs, and including in a series connection: 1. an automatic search logic device having an input serving for said digital computing unit, and which shapes signals on the change of the search direction and sign of advance during a search in the required direction by employing the signal generated by said converter; 2. an automatic device for shaping a series of binary coordinate search directions, and whose outputs serve for said digital computing unit, and d. a digital-to-analog converter, employing a set of integrators, with converter outputs being connected to said inputs of the analog computing unit, and with converter inputs being connected to said outputs of the digital computing unit, for producing a continuous search trajectory in accordance with the series of search directions, in the form of signals proportional to current values of variables, which at the end of the search procedure assume the desired initial values, when the computer operates in the first mode; and the value of roots of the programming problems, which corresponds to the values of the initial conditions, when the computer operates in the second mode.