SPAD-based random pulse computer for robotics and AI applications

Project funded by Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ), grant WEAVE-2024-6226. Participating organisations named by the source: Ruđer Bošković Institute. Funded amount: EUR 198,804, as stated by the source. Runs 2025-10-01 to 2029-09-30. Keywords: bio-inspired random pulse computer, single-photon avalanche diode, photon counting, image processing, single-photon detector, quantum randomness. Source: OpenAIRE Graph, from the funder's project data (collected by OpenAIRE on 2026-06-29); national funding data, not CORDIS; selected because its keywords name quantum. Abstract given by the source: Today, computing is almost exclusively done via the Digital Computation paradigm (DC) based on Turing machine theoretical model. Also, Quantum Computation (QC) paradigm has recently started to gain momentum. A radically different ''Random Pulse Computing'' (RPC) paradigm, whose principle was initially proposed in the 60's, makes use of counting and combining electrical pulses that appear randomly in time, similar to nerve pulses and inspired by information processing in neurons of living beings. Revisited in the past decade, RPC has attracted high attention because of it economic use of resources, fault tolerant computing, low power operation and yet a promise to be able to efficiently solve artificial intelligence problems that are hard for both DC and QC, such as: image processing, deep learning and problem-solving that mimic human brain operation. We propose a research towards a general theory of synthesis of circuits for a universal RPC computer based on the notion of entropy. Based on that, we will demonstrate a programmable Random Pulse Computer, and a use-case in image processing, built on a chip using standard Si CMOS process and quantum randomness of single-photon detection. We will build upon our recently published works on Entropy Budget Criterion (EBC) and random flip-flop, which together present a powerful tool for synthesis of novel RPC circuits. We are excited by the fact that bio-inspired sensing occurs naturally in the technology of single-photon counting camera, a successful research topic at AquaLab at EPFL, where indeed each light sensor (pixel) encodes information in a random pulse train of quantum origin. Information in that form can be processed directly by RPC circuits, a major research topic at RBI. In mutual collaboration, we have recently built a World's first random flip-flop on a chip carrying 2800 T-type RFFs. This new technology is a crucial asset for reaching the goals of this project.

Original source.

Source: OpenAIRE Graph: projects of national funders, OpenAIRE, from the project data of Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ). Retrieved 2026-10-28. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (OpenAIRE Graph). Selected metadata, adapted presentation; the publisher's record is authoritative. No endorsement by the source is implied. Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).

AI-assisted summary: This project, funded by the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ) with EUR 198,804, explores Random Pulse Computing (RPC) using single-photon avalanche diodes. The research, running from 2025 to 2029, focuses on bio-inspired computing for robotics and AI applications. Suggested technology pillar: computing. Generated by AI from the public source text; it may contain errors and the original source is authoritative.