Computer

Researchers are working hard at developing one of the first reversible computers, a machine that promises to reduce energy consumption and thereby enable performance improvements in cellular telephones, laptops, and other battery-operated devices. ...

A little confusion goes a long way--too far--with software-based agents. Engineering discipline is the solution.

Translating natural language is too important and complex for computing professionals to tackle alone.

In September 1997, Computer published a special issue on billion-transistor microprocessor architectures. Comparing that issue's predictions about the trends that would drive architectural development with the factors that subsequently emerged shows a ...

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Overclocking is a large, uncontrolled experiment in better-than-worst-case system operation.

Individuals trying to make a purchase with a credit card, access a protected computer system, or retrieve account information from their bank can speak into a telephone and have their voice identified by a voice-authentication system to verify they are ...

Internet telephony is attractive to customers because it uses lower-cost equipment and is less expensive to operate than traditional, circuit-switched telephony, thereby enabling carriers to charge lower rates. However, there are technical obstacles ...

The article looks at two new display technologies: Heliodisplay, which condenses the air above a video projector - the device then projects an image onto the condensed air; and FogScreen, a display surface made out of a cloud of water vapor diffused ...

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Management must view IT project development as a business rather than a technical activity.

A programming methodology that violates most of the rules of good programming has shown spectacular reductions in simulation times on several benchmarks. Applying this technique in logic-level VLSI circuit simulation also improved simulation ...

Current microprocessors employ a global timing reference to synchronize data transfer. A synchronous system must know the maximum time needed to compute a function, but a circuit usually finishes computation earlier than the worst-case delay. The system ...

Virtually all engineers use worst case component specifications for new system designs, thereby ensuring that the resulting product will operate under worst-case conditions. However, given that most systems operate under typical operating conditions ...

Voltage scaling has emerged as a powerful technology for addressing the power challenges that current on-chip densities pose. Razor is a voltage-scaling technology based on dynamic, in-situ detection and correction of circuit-timing errors. Razor ...

Meeting emerging computer design industry challenges requires finding a balance between continuing to apply old technology beyond the point where it is workable and prematurely deploying new technology without knowing its limitations.

To increase processor performance, the microprocessor industry is scaling feature sizes into the deep submicron and sub-100-nanometer regime. The recent emergence of noise and the dramatic increase in process variations have raised serious questions ...

Embedded computing can support a world of applications not possible with mainframe or desktop interfaces.