the order in which some switches are turned on

Apr 23, 2008 1 Replies
L

Hi all,



I have an array of N switches . Initially all are OFF.



Somebody turns them ON in some order. It is possible that more switches are turned ON in the same moment.



I need a device which shows me the order in which the switches were turned ON. For instance the device should give me: 4,3,1,5,2 (this is the order in which the switches were turned ON).



The way in which the output is shown in not important. It must be simple to read (by a human, computer, etc).



It is important that the device is able to handle the turned ON (in the same moment) of the multiple switches.



thanks, Laura


Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
G

Impossible to do. Even at 0.1" separation between the switches, that's

8 pico-seconds at the speed of light. It's impossible to uniquely determine the order of switches for all observers if they are turned on within this time.

If you're allowed to quantize time so that switches that change within a certain space of time are defined to be simultaneous then just clock the switches into a latch and then test for any changes. Repeat.

Tim.

Vote
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required