Light-speed analog computing could redefine processing power

Light-speed analog computing could redefine processing power
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Oct 07, 2025

Scientists have unveiled a programmable electronic circuit that performs complex parallel processing using high-frequency electromagnetic waves, achieving analog computations at light-speed. The breakthrough offers a glimpse into a new computing era that far exceeds the speed and efficiency limits of conventional digital electronics.

The international research, led by Dr Rasool Keshavarz from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Associate Professor Mohammad-Ali Miri from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), with contributions from Dr Kevin Zelaya (RIT) and UTS Associate Professor Negin Shariati, demonstrates the world's first programmable microwave-integrated circuit capable of executing matrix transformations - key mathematical operations underpinning modern technologies.

"This breakthrough paves the way for next-generation analog radio frequency (RF) and microwave processors with applications in radar, advanced communications, sensors and space technologies that require real-time operations," said Dr Keshavarz, a Senior Research Fellow and Technical Lead at the UTS Radio Frequency and Communication Technologies (RFCT) Lab.

Conventional digital processors face physical limits such as transistor switching speeds, heat generation, and power consumption. Analog computing, by contrast, processes data through continuous electromagnetic signals, enabling massive parallelism with vastly improved energy efficiency.

The team's approach integrates physics and electronics to establish a scalable platform for analog signal processing. "By establishing a platform for scalable analog signal processing, this collaboration positions UTS and its international partners at the forefront of a new computing paradigm, integrating device-level physics with system-level applications," Dr Keshavarz said.

Associate Professor Miri noted that this technology offers a clear path to practical applications. "This study marks the start of a broader research trajectory. Follow-up studies are already in preparation to expand the technology toward practical system-level architectures, so that computing can move beyond digital limits."

"This novel research is a great example of taking a bold concept and turning it into reality through world-class multidisciplinary collaboration," added Associate Professor Shariati.

Unlike quantum systems, which still struggle with scalability and stability, the team's analog platform is already feasible and ready for near-term real-world deployment.

Research Report:Programmable Circuits for Analog Matrix Computations