FreeLists / si-list / [SI-LIST] FW: Re: Theory v. practice, following Re: DesignCon quote

["Ray Anderson" <ray.anderson@xxxxxxxxxx>]

________________________________

From: Suresh Subramaniam [mailto:Suresh@xxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 10:20 AM
To: ray.anderson
Subject: FW: [SI-LIST] Re: Theory v. practice, following Re: DesignCon
quote

 

Hi Ray,

 

For some reason I was not able to post this message to the SI-List.
Please forward it to the group when you have a chance.

 

Thanks

Suresh

 

________________________________

From: Suresh Subramaniam 
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 10:09 AM
To: 'Mark.Randol@xxxxxxxxxx'; si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [SI-LIST] Re: Theory v. practice, following Re: DesignCon
quote

 

I did not see anyone mention Occam's razor as a principle to use in
simulation and modeling. This has been a long standing principle in the
advancement of scientific theories.

 

I extracted this bit from Wikipedia

 

"....when multiple competing theories have equal predictive powers, the
principle recommends selecting those that introduce the fewest
assumptions and postulate the fewest hypothetical entities. It is in
this sense that Occam's Razor is usually understood."

 

For more details see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam's_Razor

 

Thanks

Suresh Subramaniam, PhD   mailto:suresh@xxxxxxxxxxx     

Member of Technical Staff

CSwitch Corporation      408 986-1964x.205                     

3101 Jay St. Suite 110

Santa Clara, CA 95054

 

-----Original Message-----
From: si-list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:si-list-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Mark Randol
Sent: Monday, April 03, 2006 8:55 AM
To: si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [SI-LIST] Re: Theory v. practice, following Re: DesignCon quote

 

I'd expand on that model a little...

 

A good engineer starts with the simplest model to prove the idea, then

adds factors that in  their judgment says will be a problem.  Normally

only a couple things at MOST at a time, to reduce the degrees of freedom

when it breaks and needs correcting.

 

The best use the 'extra' effects as a feature in the design when the

effect is understood well enough to be predictable and manufacturable

enough to be repeatable. =20

 

I don't remember if it's been requoted here or not, but one attributed

to Einstein was "The supreme goal of all theory is to make the

irreducible basic elements as simple and as few as possible without

having to surrender the adequate representation of a single datum of

experience." =20

 

I prefer the pithier if inaccurate translation , "Everything should be

made as simple as possible, but no simpler."  It's a simpler model...

 

--

Mark Randol, RF Evaluation & Application Engineer

ON Semiconductor

901 S. Mopac Expressway

Barton Oaks IV, Suite 343

Austin, TX 78746

512-329-5640 (voice), 512-329-8151 (FAX)

=20

 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Ing. Giancarlo Guida [mailto:gianguida@xxxxxxxx]=20

> Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 12:59 PM

> To: Mark Randol

> Cc: si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

> Subject: Re: [SI-LIST] Re: Theory v. practice, following Re:=20

> DesignCon quote

>=20

> Hi folks,

> I'd like to add my two cents to this interesting discussion.

>  From my point of view the most important quality of a model=20

> ( and therefore simulation) it is not its accuracy...

> but its simplicity.

 


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