---
title: "Revolution in Radio Communication: New Microchip Computes Data Directly in the Air"
description: "Scientists have created a microchip that computes data directly in radio waves, bypassing binary code. The device compresses information by 8 times and consumes minimal energy, making it ideal for satellites and drones. 🔬📡"
date: 2026-07-31T11:20:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/revolution-in-radio-communication-new-microchip-computes-data-directly-in-the-air
tags: [nature-communications, wireless-communication, bala-govind, microchip, rbc-ukraine]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Revolution in Radio Communication: New Microchip Computes Data Directly in the Air

![New microchip for radio communication with in-air data computation](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/31/noviy-mikrochip-vychislyaet-dannye-v-radiosvyazi/noviy-mikrochip-vychislyaet-dannye-v-radiosvyazi-1.webp)

The world of wireless communications is on the verge of a major breakthrough. Scientists have unveiled a fundamentally new microchip capable of performing complex calculations directly during the transmission of radio signals. This technology promises to radically change the approach to data transmission, making it faster, more energy-efficient, and more secure.

As reported by RBK-Ukraine citing a study published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, the new device consumes less than 200 milliwatts of energy. This is a critically important indicator for autonomous systems, where every watt counts.

### Abandoning Binary Code

Traditional communication systems operate on an established algorithm: information is translated into digital code (zeros and ones), processed, and then converted into radio waves for transmission. The new chip breaks this paradigm. Instead of translating data into computer code, the device transforms it into short series of microwave pulses.

Developers draw an interesting parallel with the operation of large language models, such as ChatGPT. Just as neural networks break text into semantic blocks — tokens — this chip forms its unique "language" for data transmission directly in the radio spectrum. This allows it to bypass unnecessary processing stages that inevitably slow down conventional systems.

"It is comparable to creating a microwave dictionary. Since the data remains in the form of radio waves throughout the process, we eliminate unnecessary computational steps," explains one of the technology's creators, Bal Govind.

### The Technology of "Probabilistic Bits"

During testing, scientists demonstrated the incredible capabilities of the device. The chip processed huge streams of information at speeds of several gigabits per second. The key element here was the so-called "probabilistic bits" (p-bits).

Unlike rigid zeros and ones, p-bits possess flexibility and can change under the influence of an input signal. This property allowed for an exceptional level of data compression. In the experiment, scientists managed to transmit a satellite image of a tropical storm using only one-eighth of the original file size. At the same time, the visual clarity and details of the image were fully preserved.

### The Future for Drones and Space

The emergence of such technology will be a real lifeline for the small satellite and drone industry. These devices are often limited by weak batteries and strict limits on communication channel bandwidth.

The new chip will allow them to send full, detailed photographs and video streams instead of simplified text coordinates or data compressed beyond recognition. This opens new horizons for Earth monitoring, reconnaissance, and scientific research.

### Hardware Protection Against Interception

In addition to speed and energy savings, the technology offers a serious level of security. Intercepting a message transmitted in this way will be practically impossible. Only a similar microwave microchip tuned to the same "microwave dictionary" will be able to decrypt the data.

Scientists have already filed for a patent and are preparing the technology for the commercial market. The implementation of this development could mark the beginning of a new era in wireless communications.