IBM develops ‘computer’ of 1x1mm

IBM has developed a tiny ‘computer’ with dimensions of 1x1mm. The system consists of a processor of several hundred thousand transistors with SRAM and a communication part.

In total, the computer the size of a grain of salt has a million transistors. IBM is not yet giving many details about the prototype it has developed. The computer has an unknown amount of sram, which a processor has by default. For the uplink communication, the system uses an LED and for the downlink there is a light sensor.

The module draws power from an integrated photovoltaic cell. The cost of production could be less than ten cents, probably depending on the degree of mass production. IBM wants to combine the computers with cryptoanchors: digital signatures that, in combination with a blockchain, can help with the authentication of products, and tracking and tracing.