Re: difference btw H/W & S/W implementations

From: Stephen Harris (cyberdiction_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 02/25/04 

Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 22:40:55 GMT

"OP" <omnipresent@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a0539759.0402250302.2159ae67@posting.google.com...
> Hi,
>
> Feeling really intelligent today.. I would like to know some basic
> stuff..
>
> What is the difference between a hardware implementation of an
> algorithm and a
> software one.
>
> How do you say an algorithm is faster in one and slower in other.. if
> it's based on timing how do you do that?? What makes it faster in one
> and not in other??
>
> all the help is appreciated.
>
> OP.

Though this forum (Logic) discusses Algorithmic Information Theory from
time to time, that is a trap for the unwary. Your question is more of an
engineering question. A couple of examples: Windows sometimes uses
software modems called winmodems. They are cheaper and use the
cpu to help process operations. These modems cannot usually be used
by Linux which has a different core of OS instructions, and uses hardware
modems. No doubt you've seen "Enigma" starring Alan Turing. There a
mechanical (hardware) crytographic device was employed. Nowadays
they often use some variation of a psuedo-random number generator
(algortithm) for encryption which is a software method, although
sometimes tied into a random mechanical trigger like the computer's
clock. The middle ground of software--->hardware is called firmware.

The basic difference between speeds is that the Digital Signal Processing
(DSP) time is quicker with a dedicated device because it is more efficient,
the medium of signal transfer is more conductive, and the signal covers a
shorter distance such as in L_1 cache that helps out processor efficiency.
The cache memory is physically placed nearer--onboard of the cpu.

This is covered in a computer hardware class. I recommend you take
such a class at a local community college and save lots of money by
fixing your own computer. A couple of newsgroups probably more
appropriate are comp.dsp (DSP) and sci.electronics.design

Regards,
Stephen

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