We introduce the concept of cooperative analog-digital signal processing, and its implications on real-time signal processing functions. We discuss some of the trade-offs between performing operations in the analog computing circuit and digital computing circuits, and a general framework for "cooperative analog/digital signal processing systems" is presented A key aspect of the cooperative analog/digital signal processing systems is the fact that new advances in analog VLSI circuits make it possible to developed advanced analog signal processing systems with programmable elements.