[SI-LIST] FW: Re: Theory v. practice, following Re: DesignCon quote
- From: "Ray Anderson" <ray.anderson@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <si-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2006 11:08:48 -0700
________________________________
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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