US: 'Microwave brain' chip for ultrafast, wireless computing unveiled

Cornell University researchers have developed a novel low-power microchip dubbed the ‘microwave brain,’ which functions as a microwave neural network capable of ultrafast, wireless computing. Unlike traditional digital chips that process data sequentially, this chip uses analog microwave signals at tens of gigahertz frequencies, enabling it to handle complex tasks such as radio signal decoding, radar target tracking, and digital data processing in real time while consuming only about 200 milliwatts of power. Its design leverages programmable frequency distortions and special waveguides to detect patterns and learn from data, bypassing many conventional digital signal processing steps. The chip demonstrated high accuracy—88 percent or more—in classifying wireless signal types, matching digital neural networks but with significantly lower power and space requirements. Its probabilistic computing approach maintains accuracy across both simple and complex tasks without the increased circuitry or error correction typical in digital systems. Due to its sensitivity to microwave signals, the chip is well-suited for hardware applications like detecting anomalies in