Experimental "microwave brain" chip processes AI with less than 200 milliwatts of power

Forward-looking: Traditional computer chips perform tasks by sending digital signals at regular clock speeds, but new experimental hardware uses microwaves for specialized workloads. The resulting chip can handle multiple functions, including AI, while consuming only a fraction of the power of a conventional processor.

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a chip that combines traditional digital processing with a microwave neural network, performing tasks similar to conventional neural networks while consuming less than 200 milliwatts. Considered the first of its kind, its design challenges traditional circuit architecture.

Dubbed the "microwave brain," the chip processes data streams via analogue wireless communication. By manipulating microwaves in the tens of gigahertz, it can complete complex tasks far faster than traditional digital hardware, which executes instructions linearly.

Real-time frequency-domain computation could make the microwave brain ideal for decoding radio signals, tracking radar targets, processing digital data, and similar tasks. Because the chip responds directly ...