Fourier transforms are mathematical calculations that can be used to identify the frequencies that make up a signal and shed light on their individual contributions. These transforms have been used, for example, to unveil patterns in sounds and images, ranging from gradual changes in intensity to fine repeating motifs or details.

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories, Infineon Technologies and Arizona State University recently demonstrated a new approach for efficiently performing crucial FFT calculations with an analog system made up of a large array of memory components.

Their proposed method, introduced in a paper published in Nature Electronics, entails dividing a large Fourier transform into smaller calculations and then leveraging the electrical properties of memory cells to perform key operations in parallel on an analog chip, while completing other steps digitally.