At one time a scientist or engineer trying to solve a tough problem with electronic computation had the choice of an analog computer, a digital computer, or both together in a hybrid configuration.

An analog computer is a system that provides information in continuous form. These computers can only represent physical quantities such as pressure, weight, voltage pressure, speed, and more.

Researchers at Cornell University have developed an electronic chip that they describe as a "microwave brain." The simplified chip is analog rather than digital, yet can process ultrafast data and ...