Technology Articles

Article / Updated 09-14-2023

Imagine flipping a coin in the air. As it’s spinning, is it showing heads or tails? Well, you can't know the answer while the coin is spinning. Only when the coin lands and settles down does it display a definite result. When asking the question "how does quantum computing work?" think of that uncertainty you see while the coin is spinning — it's like the uncertainty we capture and use in quantum computing. We put many processing elements — qubits — into a state of uncertainty. Then we program the qubits, run the program, and capture the results — just like when the coin lands. How does a quantum computer work? Quantum computing is different from the fixed 0s and 1s, bits and bytes, used in today’s devices. Quantum computing is based on quantum mechanics, a branch of physics that can be hard to comprehend. But the way in which quantum computing deals effectively with large degrees of uncertainty feels like the way we make many of the decisions we encounter in daily life. Quantum computing is complementary to classical computing, the kind of computing we use today, not a replacement for it. By working with uncertainty, we can take on some of the biggest, most complex problems that humanity faces, in a new and powerful way. Quantum computing will solve problems for which today’s computing falls short — problems in areas such as modeling the climate, drug discovery, financial optimization, and whether or not it’s a good morning to launch a rocket. And this technology is just getting started. Many advanced quantum computers run only for a fraction of a second at a time. However, steady progress is being made. Even now, at this early stage, quantum computing is inspiring us to, as a sage once said, “think different” about the way we use existing computing capabilities. Those betting on the success of these machines see many potential quantum computing applications, including in the fields of medical science and health care, cryptology, climate change abatement, insurance risk assessment, finance, and more. Understanding why quantum computing is so strange Quantum computers have a sense of strangeness about them, almost a mystical aura. (The 2022 movie, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, captures some of the feeling that people have about quantum mechanics in general.) Why is this? There are two main reasons. The first reason is people’s fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of matter, which quantum mechanics explains. The second is the incredible power that quantum computing, when mature, is expected to deliver to humanity. How does quantum mechanics change people’s view of the world? The world we live in, where rocks fall down and rockets go up, seems to be dominated by solid matter, with energy as a force that acts on matter at various times. Yet matter can simply be seen as congealed energy. Most of the mass of the protons and neutrons inside the nucleus of an atom, for instance, is simply a bookkeeper’s description of the tremendously powerful energetic fields that keep these particles in place. One of the most important kinds of particles in quantum computing, photons, have no mass at all; they are made up of pure energy. And it was Einstein himself who told us that matter and energy are equivalent, with his famous equation, E=mc2. To translate: The energy contained in solid matter equals its mass times the speed of light squared. The speed of light is a very large number — 300,000 km/second, or 186,000 miles/second. Squaring the speed of light yields a far larger number. Plug this very large number into Einstein’s famous equation and you'll see that there is a lot of energy in even small amounts of matter, as demonstrated by nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. The point is that, in quantum mechanics, matter is relatively unimportant; particles act more as bundles of energy. And quantum computing takes advantage of the exotic properties of these particles — ionized atoms, photons, superconducting metals, and other matter that demonstrates quantum mechanical behavior. The second reason that quantum computers get such a strong emotional reaction is the tremendous power of quantum computing. The best of today’s early-stage quantum computers are not much more powerful, if at all, than a mainstream supercomputer. But future quantum computers are expected to deliver tremendous speedups. Over the next decade or two, we expect quantum computers to become hundreds, thousands, even millions of times faster than today’s computers for the problems at which they excel. People can’t really predict, nor even imagine, what it’s going to be like to have that kind of computing power available for some of the most important challenges facing humanity. That future is very exciting, yes. But it’s also a bit, as Einstein described quantum mechanics, “spooky.” Grasping the power of quantum computing To help you get started in understanding quantum computing, here are five big ideas to get your head around: Qubits: Qubits are the quantum computing version of bits — the 0s and 1s at the core of classical computing. They have quantum mechanical properties. Qubits are where all the magic happens in quantum computing. Superposition: While bits are limited to 0 or 1, a qubit can hold an undefined value that is neither 0 nor 1 until the qubit is measured. The capability to hold multiple values at once is called superposition. Entanglement: In classical computing, bits are carefully separated from each other so that the value of one does not affect others. But qubits can be entangled with each other. When changes to one particle cause instantaneous changes to another, and when measuring a value for one particle tells you the corresponding value for another, the particles are entangled. Tunneling: A quantum mechanical particle can instantaneously move from one place to another, even if there’s a barrier in between. (Quantum computing uses this capability to bypass barriers to the best possible solution.) This behavior is referred to as tunneling. Coherence: A quantum particle, such as an electron, that is free of outside disturbance is coherent. Only coherent particles can exhibit superposition and entanglement. How are these terms related? Here’s an example: A good qubit is relatively easy to place into a state of coherence and maintain in a state of coherence, so it can exhibit superposition and entanglement, and therefore can tunnel. (The search for “good qubits” is the subject of a lot of work and controversy today.) These five terms are at the heart of the promise of quantum computing and are involved in many of the challenges that make quantum computing difficult to fully implement. In this section, we describe each of these crucial concepts. Classical computing describes the computers we use every day, which includes not only laptop and desktop computers but also smartphones, web servers, supercomputers, and many other kinds of devices. The term classical computing is used because classical computers use classical mechanics, the cause-and-effect rules of the road that we see and use in our daily lives, for information processing. Quantum computing uses quantum mechanics — which is very different, very interesting, and very powerful indeed — for information processing. Introducing Puff, the magic... qubit? Bits power classical computing — the laptops, servers, smartphones, and supercomputers that we use today. Bit is short for binary digit, where digit specifies a single numeral and binary means the numeral can have only one of two values: 0 or 1 — just like the results of a coin flip. In a computer, bits are stored in tiny, cheap electromechanical devices that reliably take in, hold, and return either a 0 or a 1 — at least until the power is turned off. Because a single bit doesn’t tell you much, bits are packaged into eight-bit bytes, with a single byte able to hold 256 values. (28 — all possible combinations of 8 binary digits — equals 256.) A qubit is a complex device that has, at its core, matter in a quantum mechanical state (such as a photon, an atom, or a tiny piece of superconducting metal). The qubit includes a container of some kind, such as a strong magnetic field, that keeps the matter from interacting with its environment. A qubit is much more complex and much more powerful than a bit. But qubits today are not very reliable, for two reasons: They’re subject to errors introduced by noise in the environment around them. A result of 0 can be accidentally flipped to a result of 1, or vice versa, and there’s no easy way to know that an error has occurred. It’s hard to keep qubits coherent, that is, capable of superposition, entanglement, and tunneling. The situation with qubits today is somewhat like the old joke about a bad restaurant: “The food is terrible — and the portions are so small!” With qubits, the error rates are high and the coherence period is short. But despite these problems, quantum computers do deliver valuable and interesting results while up and running. In quantum computers, qubits are much more complex and far more expensive than bits. Nor are they as easy to manage — but they are far more powerful. The photo below shows a quantum computing module from IBM, suspended at the bottom of a cooling infrastructure that keeps the superconducting qubits at a temperature near absolute zero. Until it's measured, each qubit can represent an infinite range of values between 0 and 1. How does the qubit hold all these values? At the core of the qubit is a quantum particle — a tiny piece of reality in the form of a photon, an electron, an ionized atom, or an artificial atom formed using a superconducting metal. IBM is not the only technology company developing this new technology. Here are some other quantum computing companies: Google, D-wave, Microsoft, Amazon, Intel, Alibaba Group, Atos Quantum, Toshiba, and Rigetti. For quantum computing, the quantum particle at the core of the qubit must be kept in a coherent state — uncontrolled, like the flipped coin while it’s spinning in the air. In a coherent state, we don’t know whether the value of the qubit at a given moment is 0 or 1. When we measure the state of the qubit, the calculation we want to make is performed, and the qubit returns 0 or 1 as a result. Much of the power of qubits comes from the fact that they behave in a probabilistic manner; a given qubit, running the same calculation multiple times without errors, may produce a 0 on some runs and a 1 on another. The final result consists of the number of times each qubit returns a 0 or a 1. So the result of most quantum calculations is a set of probabilities rather than a single number. Qubits are hard to create and hard to maintain in a state of coherence; they also tend to interfere with nearby qubits in an uncontrolled fashion. Taming qubits is one of the biggest challenges to overcome in creating useful quantum computers. A popular approach to building quantum computers involves the use of superconducting qubits, which must be kept at a temperature very close to absolute zero to minimize interference due to heat and, in many cases, to maintain superconductivity. Classical computers are designed to work at room temperature, but they tend to generate heat and to stop working properly as the temperature rises. The need to dissipate heat prevents device makers from packing components as tightly as they would like without resorting to expensive and clumsy solutions such as water-cooling or refrigerating the components. In quantum computing, each additional qubit adds exponentially to the power of the computer. But because qubits tend to interfere with each other, adding more is difficult. IBM, a leader in quantum computing, has published a roadmap showing past and future increases in the number of qubits that power its current and upcoming quantum computers. If you're interested in staying up to date on the development of this technology, here are some places to find quantum computing news: Phys.org; The Quantum Insider; MIT News; Quantum Zeitgeist.

Article / Updated 09-14-2023

Quantum computing is quite different from classical computing, and there are new fundamentals and terms to learn. Two of these are the concepts of superposition and entanglement — big ideas you need to grapple with as you're learning about this new kind of computing. Superposition The state of possibility that's available to qubits is called superposition, where super means many and position means possibilities. A traditional bit can be either 0 or 1. A qubit in a state of superposition does not have a defined value because it holds many potential values at the same time. But when we measure a qubit, we just get 0 or 1 back — whichever value the qubit’s energetic wave function collapsed to when it was measured. Superposition is the first of two major pillars underpinning the power of quantum computing. The other, entanglement, is described in the next section. Welcoming foreign entanglements George Washington once warned Americans to avoid foreign entanglements. But with qubits, we welcome entanglement as an additional, powerful tool in our quantum computing toolkit. Entanglement is a kind of connection between two or more quantum particles. For instance, quantum particles have a property called spin, which we can measure as either down or up (0 or 1). If two quantum particles are entangled and one of them is measured as having an up spin, we know without measuring that the other entangled particle will have a down spin. And if we influence the spin of the first quantum particle so that it changes to up when it is measured, we know without measuring that the other quantum particle will change to down. The figure below illustrates the connection between two entangled qubits, which have opposing spins. Measuring the spin of one tells you that the spin of the other is the opposite; changing the spin of one qubit in one direction will change the spin of the other in the opposite direction. As mentioned, entanglement is the second pillar supporting the power of quantum computing. With entangled qubits, influencing a single qubit can have a knock-on effect on many others. Entanglement and superposition work together When an entangled qubit is in a state of superposition, each of its entangled connections is also in a state of superposition. These cascading uncertainties exponentially increase the potential power of quantum computers. To program and run calculations on a quantum computer, the potentiality of the entangled qubits must be maintained by keeping them coherent and free from noise. We then measure the qubits (which causes them to decohere) and record the results, a 0 or 1 for each qubit. For much more about superposition and entanglement, and all aspects of quantum computing, check out our book Quantum Computing For Dummies. Blowing past C Albert Einstein wears two hats in the history of quantum mechanics — and the two hats don’t fit comfortably on a single head. One hat comes from Einstein’s discovery of relativity, published in 1905. Relativity says that speed in this universe depends on your motion relative to other observers, but that the speed of light — about 186,000 miles per second, or 300,000 kilometers per second — is always the same for all observers. This universal speed limit is called locality. The other hat comes from Einstein’s discovery of the photon, also in 1905. (This discovery, not relativity, is the source of Einstein’s sole Nobel Prize.) The discovery of the photon is fundamental to quantum mechanics. Einstein’s problem is that quantum mechanics later asserted that quantum particles, such as photons, can be entangled with each other, so that reading the spin (for example) of one photon tells you the spin of the other. And this relationship is instantly true, without regard to the speed of light. Physicists call this an assertion of nonlocality, which is supposed to be forbidden by relativity. Einstein hated this, calling it “spooky action at a distance.” He and his colleagues spent a great deal of effort trying to disprove it, even as Einstein continued to make breakthrough quantum discoveries, such as the identification of Bose-Einstein condensates, which are superconducting gases that can be used to create qubits. Today’s mainstream computers are subject to classical mechanics and limited by the speed of light. Quantum computers depend on quantum mechanics and, in their use of entanglement, are not limited by light speed. The Nobel Prize for Physics in 2022 was awarded to physicists who showed that entanglement is real. So researchers in quantum computing who depend on entanglement can say, after Galileo: “And yet it computes.” (Galileo, on trial for asserting — correctly, as it turned out — that Earth is not at the center of the universe, is famously said to have whispered: “And yet it moves.”) Enabling quantum computing with coherence Qubits can be used for quantum computing only when they’re kept in a state of coherence, free of interaction with their environment. To do quantum computing, qubits need to follow the rules of quantum mechanics, and these rules apply to only coherent qubits. Quantum particles zipping around the universe — photons emitted by the sun, for example — are in a state of coherence. What causes them to decohere? Any interaction with excessive interference (such as vibration or a strong magnetic field), a solid object, or a measuring device. Keeping qubits coherent is hard. Heat decoheres them, so qubits are kept cold. So do vibration (think of a truck going by on a road) and any collision with their environment. To prevent such collisions, qubits often use strong magnetic fields or targeted laser beams to prevent the quantum particles inside them from colliding with their physical containers. Decoherence is not the only disaster that can affect qubits. Temperature changes, vibration, or physical interaction may change the value of a qubit in an uncontrolled manner without causing it to decohere. This noise causes errors in the results of quantum computations. Minimizing noise and detecting errors are two of the biggest challenges facing quantum computers. To manipulate each qubit — to program it, for instance, for quantum computing — the qubit must be controlled in such a way as to adjust its value without causing it to decohere. Magnetic fields and laser beams are among the means used to manipulate qubits without causing decoherence. When we measure the value of a qubit, two things happen: The qubit decoheres, becoming subject to the rules of classical mechanics. The qubit’s value collapses from somewhere between 0 and 1, inclusive, to either 0 or 1. The qubit must be reinitialized — returned to coherence — before it can be used again for computing. Some argue that the potential of quantum computers is very limited — that the level of coherence needed for quantum computers to achieve useful results is impossible, in theory and in fact. In the extreme version of this argument, leaders in quantum computing are accused of deliberately committing fraud, which would mean that the entire field is a massive conspiracy. Only further work will show the limits to quantum computing, if any, but the fraud allegations are just a conspiracy theory. The math for the power of quantum computing It’s challenging to fully grasp the potential power of quantum computing compared to classical computing because that power is based on quantum mechanical principles. But we can sum it up in just a bit of math. Because the bits in classical computing can hold only one of two values — a 0 or a 1 — at the same time, the number of states that a classical computer can hold is represented by the number of bits, n, to the power of two: n2. But a set of entangled qubits can hold all the possible values of the qubits at the same time. For this reason, the number of states that a quantum computer can hold is represented by two to the power of qubits, n: 2n. For example, to represent a million possible states would require 1,000 bits but only 20 qubits. Today’s computers contain billions of bits, but we have to throw a lot of them at our most complex problems to get anywhere. Today’s quantum computers have a small number of qubits — a recent IBM quantum computer release clocked in with 433 — but we need only a few hundred qubits to begin tackling very complex problems. The power of today’s quantum computers is limited by errors and short coherence times. But as these factors are addressed, the results are likely to be amazing. What will quantum computing do for people? It’s easy to spend time geeking out on the strangeness and power of quantum computing. But what difference will quantum computing make to humanity? To understand the answer, we first have to address a common misconception. People today tend to worry about how powerful today’s computers are: to worry about the power of the internet, social media, and machine learning and AI. But there’s also a big problem around how powerful today’s computers aren’t: They simply aren’t up to big computational challenges in areas such as better batteries to fight climate change, better aerodynamics, better routing in complex transportation networks, and better discovery of new drugs, to name a few important examples. And these big computational challenges are exactly the areas where we expect quantum computing to make a big difference. Future quantum computers will be able to solve problems we can’t touch today, and to do so far faster, more cheaply, and with less energy expenditure than today’s computers. Quantum computers can only “do their thing” in partnership with computers of the kind we use today. So, when you see descriptions of what quantum computing can do, understand that these accomplishments will also require a whole lot of conventional computing power.

Article / Updated 09-14-2023

Multiple sources say there are now more than 800 million videos on YouTube and about 37 million channels. That's a lot of videos to sort through! If you're interested in looking at which videos are most viewed by YouTube visitors, you'll need to search by a category or channel. Here's how to do it. Search by category Go to YouTube and notice the Search field at the top of the page. In the Search field, enter the kind of videos you're interested in, such as "photography," or "dog training," or "Saturday Night Live." YouTube will then load your category of videos on the page. Click on "Filters" toward the upper right side of the page, and then under the heading "Sort By," select "View Count." YouTube will then sort the videos according to the most viewed, from top to bottom. Search by channel Go to YouTube. Click on the channel of your choice. You can find channels by searching with keywords in the Search field at the top of the page. For example, enter "football," and after the videos load, click on a channel name, which is always preceded by the @ symbol — such as, @MiamiDophins. Once you're on the channel of your choice, click the "Videos" tab. Next, click on the "Popular" button under the Videos section. If you don't see that button, click on the "Sort By" filter toward the top right of the screen and select "Most Popular" from the menu. Browse trending videos on YouTube If you're interested in seeing what is popular on YouTube in general, you can look at the Trending page. To find it: Go to YouTube. In the sidebar navigation on the left side of the screen, under "Explore," select "Trending."

Article / Updated 09-13-2023

One phenomenon created by the Internet is the spread of viral video. Just like a virus (except that it’s the good kind that won’t make you sick), a viral video spreads rapidly online and can garner a million views in a relatively short time. On the opposite side of the spectrum lies the evergreen video: As its name implies, videos with this distinction usually remain fresh and vibrant for longer periods, providing a timeless quality to the content. Your channel’s objective depends on being able to bring as many viewers as possible to your content. Sometimes that comes from a single, albeit extremely popular video, whereas at other times it’s more about having a healthy lineup of relevant content. Creating a single viral video can bring a great deal of attention to your channel, and those visits can quickly monetize into big bucks, especially with a video that garners a couple of million views. On the other hand, evergreen videos (see below) lend themselves to less dynamic, though more steady buildup through a variety of content that keeps people coming back. Don’t bet your YouTube strategy trying to create a viral video. When it comes to viral videos, there’s a random element to their success that cannot always be duplicated the next time around. Nevertheless, you can do some things to make success just a tad less random. Viral content Viral videos usually consist of some trendy or contemporary aspect that allows it to build a huge audience quite quickly. For example, a new dance craze or music video sometimes makes for the most watched video, but it can also consist of a dramatic news event or wild stunt that people can’t stop talking about. Sometimes it fades away as quickly as it started, whereas at other times it sticks around. Evergreen content Like a tree of shrubbery that never turns brown, the evergreen video remains popular with its niche audience for a long time. That’s because it consists of content that people are going to search for often and over an extended period. If YouTube were a refrigerator, comparing the two, a viral video would have a shorter expiration date to more evergreen content. Though there’s less pressure to creating a successful evergreen video, it still requires a lot of work to gain a following. You have to let people know that it’s out there while keeping it relevant for them to venture out and find you. The types of content that may have (potential) evergreen value include Instructional videos Educational videos Travel videos Overviews of holiday traditions Biographies of famous people Most evergreen content — instructional videos or content associated with a historical event, for example — doesn’t usually go viral but can enjoy a longer run of popularity because the content will continue to attract a steady stream of viewers.

Article / Updated 09-13-2023

Before you can fire up your Raspberry Pi and start building your own electronics projects, you need to do some basic setup work. Start by setting up the hardware. You'll need the following to set up your Pi so that you can program it for your projects: A Raspberry Pi 2 or 3. A suitable power supply: The Raspberry Pi requires a 5 V power supply connected via a micro-USB connection on the card. The Pi itself will draw about 800 mA, so be sure to use a power supply that can handle at least that much current draw. A monitor: You don't need a large monitor, but go for at least 17 inches. An HDMI cable: If your monitor has an HDMI connection, you'll need a cable with HDMI connectors on both ends. If your monitor has some other type of connection, such as DVI or VGA, you'll need an adapter to connect your monitor to the Pi's HDMI connector. A USB keyboard: Any keyboard with a USB connector will do. A USB mouse: Any mouse with a USB connector will do. A microSD card with NOOBS: The Raspberry Pi uses a microSD card instead of a disk drive. Ideally, you should purchase a microSD card that already has a special program called NOOBS installed on it. (NOOBS stands for New Out Of the Box Software.) This program will allow you to install an operating system so that your Pi can run. If you prefer, you can format your own microSD card for your Pi. You can do that by downloading NOOBS from Raspberry Pi — Teach, Learn, and Make with Raspberry Pi on your computer and then copying the NOOBS software to the microSD card. A network connection: A network connection is essential to download several of the support packages you'll need for your projects. You can connect your Pi to a network in one of two ways: If you have a Raspberry Pi 3, you can use the built-in Wi-Fi to connect to a wireless network. You can use a standard Ethernet cable to plug a Raspberry Pi 2 or 3 into a wired network, provided you have a nearby router or switch with an available network port. That's all you need to get started. Plug the monitor, mouse, and keyboard into your Pi's HDMI and USB ports, insert the microSD card into the microSD slot, and then plug in the power connector. Your Pi will start right up.

Article / Updated 09-13-2023

Many organizations are using Python these days to perform major tasks. You don't necessarily hear about them because organizations are usually reserved about giving out their trade secrets. However, Python is still there making a big difference in the way organizations work and toward keeping the bottom line from bottoming out. Following, are some major ways in which Python is used commercially that will make it easier to argue for using Python in your own organization. (Or you can read about some Python success stories.) Corel: PaintShop Pro is a product that many people have used over the years to grab screenshots, modify their pictures, draw new images, and perform a lot of other graphics-oriented tasks. The amazing thing about this product is that it relies heavily on Python scripting. In other words, to automate tasks in PaintShop Pro, you need to know Python. D-Link: Upgrading firmware over a network connection can be problematic, and D-Link was encountering a situation in which each upgrade was tying up a machine — a poor use of resources. In addition, some upgrades required additional work because of problems with the target device. Using Python to create a multithreaded application to drive updates to the devices allows one machine to service multiple devices, and a new methodology allowed by Python reduces the number of reboots to just one after that new firmware is installed. D-Link chose Python over other languages, such as Java, because it provides an easier-to-use serial communication code. Eve-Online: Games are a major business because so many people enjoy playing them. Eve-Online is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) that relies heavily on Python for both the client and server ends of the game. It actually relies on a Python variant named StacklessPython, which is important because you encounter these variants all the time when working with Python. Think of them as Python on steroids. These variants have all the advantages of Python, plus a few extra perks. The thing to take away from this particular company is that running an MMORPG takes major horsepower, and the company wouldn't have chosen Python unless it were actually up to the task. ForecastWatch.com: If you have ever wondered whether someone reviews the performance of your weatherman, look no further than ForecastWatch.com. This company compares the forecasts produced by thousands of weather forecasters each day against actual climatological data to determine their accuracy. The resulting reports are used to help improve weather forecasts. In this case, the software used to make the comparisons is written in pure Python because it comes with standard libraries useful in collecting, parsing, and storing data from online sources. In addition, Python's enhanced multithreading capabilities makes it possible to collect the forecasts from around 5,000 online sources each day. Most important of all, the code is much smaller than would have been needed by other languages such as Java or PHP. Frequentis: The next time you fly somewhere, you might be relying on Python to get you to the ground safely again. It turns out that Frequentis is the originator of TAPTools, a software product that is used for air traffic control in many airports. This particular tool provides updates on the weather and runway conditions to air traffic controllers. Honeywell: Documenting large systems is expensive and error prone. Honeywell uses Python to perform automated testing of applications, but it also uses Python to control a cooperative environment between applications used to generate documentation for the applications. The result is that Python helps generate the reports that form the documentation for the setup. Industrial Light & Magic: In this case, you find Python used in the production process for scripting complex, computer graphic-intensive films. Originally, Industrial Light & Magic relied on Unix shell scripting, but it was found that this solution just couldn't do the job. Python was compared to other languages, such as Tcl and Perl, and chosen because it's an easier-to-learn language that the organization can implement incrementally. In addition, Python can be embedded within a larger software system as a scripting language, even if the system is written in a language such as C/C++. It turns out that Python can successfully interact with these other languages in situations in which some languages can't. Philips: Automation is essential in the semiconductor industry, so imagine trying to coordinate the effort of thousands of robots. After a number of solutions, Philips decided to go with Python for the sequencing language (the language that tells what steps each robot should take). The low-level code is written in C++, which is another reason to use Python, because Python works well with C++.

Article / Updated 09-12-2023

The entire advantage of quantum computing is that it will execute certain specific computer algorithms much, much faster than the classical computers we use today. There's still a long way to go in making these very complex computers work, but even without diving into the details, we can describe the types of things that quantum computing will be very, very good at. And we can give a general idea as to which of these improvements might be available sooner rather than later. Thinking in triplicate There are three broad categories of quantum computing applications. It’s useful to examine each task you’re trying to accomplish from all three of these viewpoints. Applying quantum computing to real-world problems is a creative task, especially in these early days, and using multiple viewpoints can only be helpful. Here are the three approaches: Simulation: In simulation, qubits — trapped bits of coherent matter — mimic other coherent matter, such as the individual atoms within a molecule that might become a medically useful drug. Simulation is arguably the most natural fit for quantum computing because quantum mechanics is what governs the laws of, well, nature. Optimization: A group of qubits can be used as a kind of computational furnace that can be guided into yielding a very good — but not necessarily perfect — solution to a problem. The result might be the right answer, or it may instead be something close to that. (A very good solution to a route-planning or investing problem might save, or make, you a lot of money, even if it isn’t the best possible answer.) Calculation: This approach is, conceptually, the most like the classical computing problem-solving we’re all used to. In calculation, qubits are combined into logic gates, making up a universal computer. When used as logic gates, qubits can solve any imaginable problem, and a quantum universal computer can solve some important problems far faster than today’s computers — which also fit the “universal computer” description — but grind to a near-halt for some problems. We can view the three categories of quantum computing applications as different types of math problems. Simulation requires solving differential equations; optimization requires combinatorial, well, optimization; and calculation requires solving complex problems in linear algebra and involves a lot of matrix math. Both the features used in machine learning and the operations against the Bloch sphere used for manipulating the qubits of gate-based quantum computers are stated as vectors, so the calculation approach is readily used for machine learning. (Although optimization can be used for machine learning as well.) Algorithms can be grouped into these same three categories, which helps spotting areas where algorithms can be extended to accomplish additional goals. Importantly, the same quantum algorithm can underpin several different applications; for example, the algorithm that powers a financial portfolio optimization application might also underpin a separate application for route optimization. Also, the categories of applications can overlap; for instance, if you use optimization to come up with better and better answers, you may at some point come up with the exact answer, just as if you used calculation. (For instance, using optimization to find the prime factors of a large prime number, just like Shor’s algorithm, which belongs in the calculation category.) But the categories are useful for understanding the current state of quantum computing and anticipating what progress we might expect in the near future. Big potential for quantum computing There are several areas in which quantum computing could far exceed the abilities of classical computing. Following, are summaries of some of these. Cryptography Quantum cryptography is “the straw that stirs the drink” in quantum computing — a phrase first attributed to baseball great Reggie Jackson, who was working in an entirely different field (right field, to be precise). The current, fervent interest in quantum computing began in 1994 with the publication of Shor’s algorithm, which is one of the few quantum algorithms that has been proven, at this early point, to have the potential for exponential speedup. However, Shor’s algorithm will be able to do useful work only when it’s run on quantum computers far more powerful than those available today. Quantum computing has the potential to break the most common encryption methods used to secure digital communication today, such as RSA and ECC, which protect emails, bank information, the web, and more. These encryption methods rely on the difficulty of factoring large integers and the difficulty of computing discrete logarithms, respectively. Quantum computers can perform these operations exponentially faster than classical computers, making them a threat to traditional encryption methods. Quantum algorithms have been proposed for key exchange, digital signatures, and encryption, which are the building blocks of secure communication. Search algorithms Search algorithms have been an important area of research in computer science for decades. Real-world examples of the use of quantum algorithms for search include optimization problems in internet search, finance, logistics, and transportation. For example, the use of quantum algorithms for portfolio optimization will help financial analysts find the optimal investment strategy for a given portfolio in a fraction of the time required by classical algorithms. (Using quantum algorithms to optimize your portfolio works especially well if you have a quantum computer and the other investors don’t.) With the exponential growth of data, several algorithmic challenges need to be addressed. One of the biggest challenges is finding an optimal solution in a reasonable amount of time, which is where quantum algorithms come into play. One of the earliest, best-known, and most promising quantum algorithms is Grover's algorithm, used for searching an unsorted database and for a wide range of other purposes as well. For more details on these and other possible applications for quantum computing, check out our book Quantum Computing For Dummies. Financial industry applications Quantum computing is starting to make waves in the financial industry, with many companies turning to this new technology in an effort to improve their operations and gain a competitive edge. Today, quantum algorithms and applications are being explored by a variety of financial companies for uses including portfolio optimization, risk management, and fraud detection. Goldman Sachs, a leading investment bank, and several other banks are working to develop quantum algorithms for portfolio optimization; “the vampire squid,” as Goldman Sachs is sometimes called, has shown promising results in improving investment returns. By utilizing the processing power of quantum computing, this portfolio optimization effectively analyzes vast amounts of data and identifies investment opportunities that traditional algorithms might overlook, leading to more informed investment decisions. With the capability to simultaneously perform multiple calculations, quantum algorithms can help financial institutions make more informed decisions while minimizing risk and maximizing returns. Insurance risk analysis & fraud detection One area where quantum algorithms may be particularly useful in the insurance industry is in risk analysis. Insurance companies use risk analysis to determine the likelihood of a particular event occurring and the potential costs associated with that event. Quantum algorithms could greatly enhance this process by allowing for more complex calculations to be performed in a shorter amount of time. This, in turn, would allow insurance companies to better assess risk and set more accurate premiums. Another area where quantum algorithms could be beneficial in the insurance industry is in fraud detection. Fraudulent claims cost insurance companies billions of dollars each year. Detecting and preventing fraud is a top priority for many insurers. Quantum algorithms could help insurers more effectively identify fraudulent claims by analyzing large amounts of data and detecting patterns that might be difficult to spot using traditional methods. Logistics The logistics industry is constantly seeking ways to optimize its supply chain processes, and one of the latest innovations that has emerged is the use of quantum algorithms. Given the intricacies involved in supply chain optimization, quantum algorithms have the potential to be highly effective in this domain. They can facilitate the analysis of large data sets, optimize shipping routes, reduce transportation costs, and increase overall operational efficiency. One easy-to-understand example of the power of logistics is the daily route planning used by delivery company UPS. They rather famously train their drivers, and design their routes, to almost always avoid turning left. This is not some kind of political statement, but rather the result of the long waits that drivers of all vehicles sometimes suffer in getting the opportunity to safely make a left turn. By avoiding them, UPS drivers save time and money. (And might even avoid a few bent fenders along the way.) Medical science One of the most promising applications of quantum algorithms in medical science is in modeling the workings of the human body at the molecular level. Quantum computers can succeed here where classical computers fall short. One real-world example of the use of quantum algorithms is the work being done by researchers at the University of Toronto. They have used quantum algorithms to simulate the behavior of a protein involved in the development of cancer. By doing so, they were able to identify a potential drug candidate that could inhibit the protein's activity, potentially leading to new cancer treatments. Another area where quantum algorithms are showing promise is in medical imaging. MRI scans, for example, produce vast amounts of data that must be processed and analyzed to produce images of the body. Classical computers can struggle with this task, but quantum algorithms can handle it much more efficiently, which could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses, as well as more effective treatments. Finally, quantum algorithms are used also to improve our understanding of biological systems. By simulating the behavior of complex biological systems, researchers can gain new insights into how they work and develop new treatments for diseases. Pharmaceuticals The process of developing new drugs is incredibly time-consuming and expensive, with many potential candidates failing in clinical trials. However, quantum algorithms can simulate the behavior of molecules at a level of detail that's impossible for classical computers. The effectiveness of quantum computers for this purpose means that researchers will be able to more accurately predict the effectiveness of different compounds, potentially leading to faster and more successful drug development. One of the quantum algorithms being tried for drug discovery is the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE). This algorithm is used to determine the ground state energy of molecules, which is a critical factor in drug design. The VQE algorithm uses a hybrid approach that combines classical and quantum computing to solve complex problems. It's particularly useful in drug discovery because it can accurately predict the molecular structure of compounds and their interactions with target proteins. Another quantum algorithm that has gained traction in drug discovery is the QAOA algorithm we mentioned previously. It solves optimization problems, which are common in drug discovery. The QAOA algorithm uses a series of quantum gates to optimize the energy landscape of molecules, which helps researchers identify the most promising drug candidates. Addressing climate change Climate change is a looming crisis that requires innovative solutions. The use of quantum computing and quantum algorithms could be one such solution. These technologies can help us better understand climate patterns and predict future climate changes with greater accuracy. By simulating complex systems and performing calculations at a much faster rate, quantum algorithms could help us identify ways to reduce carbon emissions, trap carbon from manufacturing processes or in ambient air, and develop more efficient renewable energy sources.

Article / Updated 09-11-2023

All of electronics can be divided into two broad categories: analog and digital. One of the most common examples of the difference between analog and digital devices is a clock. On the analog clock, the time is represented by hands that spin around a dial and point to a location on the dial that represents the approximate time. On a digital clock, a numeric display indicates the exact time. Analog refers to circuits in which quantities such as voltage or current vary at a continuous rate. When you turn the dial of a potentiometer, for example, you change the resistance by a continuously varying rate. The resistance of the potentiometer can be any value between the minimum and maximum allowed by the pot. If you create a voltage divider by placing a fixed resistor in series with a potentiometer, the voltage at the point between the fixed resistor and the potentiometer increases or decreases smoothly as you turn the knob on the potentiometer. In digital electronics, quantities are counted rather than measured. There’s an important distinction between counting and measuring. When you count something, you get an exact result. When you measure something, you get an approximate result. Consider a cake recipe that calls for 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of milk, and 2 eggs. To get 2 cups of flour, you scoop some flour into a 1-cup measuring cup, pour the flour into the bowl, and then do it again. To get a cup of milk, you pour milk into a liquid measuring cup until the top of the milk lines up with the 1-cup line printed on the measuring cup and then pour the milk into the mixing bowl. To get 2 eggs, you count out 2 eggs, crack them open, and add them to the mixing bowl. The measurements for flour and milk in this recipe are approximate. A teaspoon too much or too little won’t affect the outcome. But the eggs are precisely counted: exactly 2. Not 3, not 1, not 11/2, but 2. You can’t have a teaspoon too many or too few eggs. There will be exactly 2 eggs, because you count them. So which is more accurate — analog or digital? In one sense, digital circuits are more accurate because they count with complete precision. You can precisely count the number of jelly beans in a jar, for example. But if you weigh the jar by putting it on an analog scale, your reading may be a bit imprecise because you can’t always judge the exact position of the needle. Say that the needle on the scale is about halfway between 4 pounds and 5 pounds. Does the jar weigh 4.5 pounds or 4.6 pounds? You can’t tell for sure, so you settle for approximately 4.5 pounds. On the other hand, digital circuits are inherently limited in their precision because they must count in fixed units. Most digital thermometers, for example, have only one digit to the right of the decimal point. Thus, they can indicate a temperature of 98.6 or 98.7 but can’t indicate 98.65. Here are a few other thoughts to ponder concerning the differences between digital and analog systems: Saying that a system is digital isn’t the same as saying that it’s binary. Binary is a particular type of digital system in which the counting is all done with the binary number system. Nearly all digital systems are also binary systems, but the two words aren’t interchangeable. Many systems are a combination of binary and analog systems. In a system that combines binary and analog values, special circuitry is required to convert from analog to digital, or vice versa. An input voltage (analog) might be converted to a sequence of pulses, one for each volt; then the pulses can be counted to determine the voltage.

Video / Updated 09-08-2023

Alexa works as a smart-home controller, so it can recognize and work with multiple devices from multiple manufacturers. An Alexa device such as an Echo or Echo Spot is an example of such a controller. Devices Alexa can control (like thermostats, speakers, TVs, and so on) just have to be compatible. You must make sure you get smart-home devices that are compatible with your controller, so be sure to buy items that are Alexa compatible. Smart-home devices are all the rage. Using apps on smart phones or simple voice commands from Alexa, you can control light bulbs, thermostats, garage door openers, security cameras, and so much more. To get your Alexa device to connect to and operate smart-home devices, you'll be using either your home’s Wi-Fi network or a direct Bluetooth connection. In most cases, the connection procedure involves two steps: For a Wi-Fi connection, use the manufacturer’s app to give Alexa permission to connect to the device. Enable the manufacturer’s device skill to update Alexa with the voice commands needed to operate the device. How to set up a smart home with Alexa If your smart-home device is Wi-Fi-friendly, go to your mobile device app store and install the manufacturer’s app. Then follow these steps to get your Wi-Fi smart-home device set up in the app: 1. Plug in and, if required, turn on the smart-home device. 2. Open the smart-home device manufacturer’s app. 3. Initiate the procedure for setting up a new device. Look for a command named Add or Add [manufacturer] Device (where manufacturer is the name of the company), or just a big plus sign (+). The setup routine will tell the device to broadcast its Wi-Fi network. 4. Open your mobile device’s Wi-Fi settings and look for the device’s Wi-Fi network. 5. Tap the device network to connect to it. 6. When the connection is complete, return to the device app. The app automatically detects the new network and uses the connection to set up the device. This usually involves giving the device a name. You’ll often have to set up an account with the manufacturer, as well. 7. The app will usually ask for your Wi-Fi credentials, which enables the device to connect to and operate over your network. Having the device on your network is also how Alexa discovers and operates the device, so this step is important. 8. If you see a notice asking whether you want to upgrade the smart-home device firmware, by all means tap Yes or Allow or Update or whatever button answers in the affirmative. With your smart-home device installed, you can view it and rename it if you so desire in the Alexa app. Just tap the Devices icon to open the Devices screen, and from there, you can change the settings for your device. Discover Smart-Home Devices Using an Alexa skill If you’re not using an Alexa device that includes a smart-home hub (such as the Echo Plus and second-generation Echo Show), then you usually need to upgrade Alexa to work with your smart-home device. You upgrade Alexa by enabling the device manufacturer’s Alexa skill. This not only lets Alexa discover the device but also upgrades Alexa with the voice commands that enable you operate the device. 1. Install the manufacturer’s app and use it to get your smart-home device on your Wi-Fi network. 2. In the Alexa app, tap Devices. 3. Tap the Add button (+) that appears in the top-right corner. 4. Tap Add Device. The Alexa app displays icons for some popular brands and some device categories. 5. Tap the category that fits your device, and then tap the manufacturer. The Alexa app prompts you to perform the duties I outline in Step 1. You’ve done all that, so proceed. 6. Tap Continue. The Alexa app opens the information page for the manufacturer’s Alexa skill. 7. Tap Enable. At this point, what happens next depends on the skill, but you’ll usually have to perform one or both of the following: Use the smart-home device app to give Alexa permission to access the device. Link Alexa to the user account associated with the smart-home device. 8. When you’re done, tap Close (X) to return to the skill page. 9. Tap Discover Devices. The Alexa app uses the manufacturer’s Alexa skill to search for available devices. 10. Tap Done. With a manufacturer’s Alexa skill enabled, you can discover new devices by following steps 1 through 5 and then tapping Discover Devices, or you can ask Alexa to run the following voice command: “Alexa, discover my devices.” Control Smart-Home Devices with Alexa Devices Alexa can control are any Alexa-compatible plugs, lights, thermostats, garage door openers, security devices, speaker, TVs, and so on. There are actually three methods you can use to control a smart-home device: Voice commands: This is how you’ll operate most of your smart-home devices, and the rest of this section takes you through the most common voice commands for a selection of smart-home devices. Alexa app: If you have your Alexa device microphone turned off, you can still use the Alexa app to control your smart-home devices. Tap Devices, tap the device type (or All Devices), and then tap the device you want to mess with. The screen that appears contains the controls you can use. Alexa device with a screen: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the status bar, and then tap the icon for the device type (such as a bulb icon for your smart lights, plugs, and switches). Note, too, that after you issue a smart-home device-related command to an Alexa device with a screen, you see some device controls on the screen for a few seconds. Turn smart plugs on and off with Alexa A smart plug is an electrical outlet that you can control with voice commands. The smart outlet plugs into a regular electrical outlet for power and then you plug a non-smart device — such as a lamp or coffeemaker — into the smart outlet. Voilà! You now have voice control over the dumb device. Note, however, that “control” here just means turning the device on and off using the following voice commands: “Alexa, turn [device name] on.” “Alexa, turn [device name] off.” Replace device name with the name you gave to the smart plug using either the manufacturer’s app or the Alexa app. Work with smart lights and Alexa Another easy and relatively inexpensive way to get your smart-home feet wet is with a smart lightbulb or two. You can buy a smart bulb for less than $20, and installing it is as easy as changing any regular lightbulb. You can also get smart bulbs that change brightness without a separate dimmer switch and that can display different colors. Here are the voice commands to use to turn a smart lightbulb or light switch on or off: “Alexa, turn [device name] on.” “Alexa, turn [device name] off.” For dimmable smart lights (or smart dimmer switches), use any of the following voice commands: “Alexa, brighten [device name].” “Alexa, dim [device name].” “Alexa, set [device name] brightness to [number] percent.” For smart lights that support different colors, use these voice commands: “Alexa, set [device name] to warm white.” “Alexa, set [device name] to cool white.” “Alexa, set [device name] to [color].” (For example, “Alexa, set Chill Room to blue.”) Control smart thermostats with Alexa A smart thermostat gives you voice control over not only the thermostat mode — for example, switching between heating and cooling — but also the temperature setting. You can also interrogate a smart thermostat to learn the current temperature setting. After you’ve installed a smart thermostat, you can control it using the following voice commands: “Alexa, set [device name] to cool.” “Alexa, set [device name] to heat.” “Alexa, set [device name] to auto.” “Alexa, set [device name] to off.” “Alexa, set [device name] to [number] degrees.” “Alexa, increase [device name] by [number] degrees.” “Alexa, decrease [device name] by [number] degrees.” “Alexa, what is [device name]’s temperature?” “Alexa, what is [device name] set to?” Keep an eye on things with Alexa and smart cameras Smart cameras come in both outdoor versions and indoor versions. Outdoor cameras are usually called security cameras or surveillance cameras. You can also get a smart doorbell that has a built-in camera that activates whenever someone rings the bell. If you have an Alexa device with a screen, you can show the smart camera’s feed right on your screen by saying the following voice command: “Alexa, show [device name].” To turn off the camera feed, issue the following voice command: “Alexa, hide [device name].” Other Types of Smart-Home Devices That Work with Alexa Here’s a quick summary (in no particular order) of what’s out there that’s Alexa-friendly: Smart speakers: Echo isn’t the only smart speaker game in town. Big-time audio companies such as Bose, Denon, and Sonos have their own smart speakers that have Alexa built in. Smart locks: These are door locks that you can control with your voice. Smart sprinklers: You can control and schedule garden and lawn watering with a smart sprinkler system. Smart TVs: This is a television or remote that you can control by voice. Smart appliances: These are kitchen appliances that you can operate with voice commands. Amazon’s new Alexa-friendly microwave is the latest addition to this category. Smart vacuums: Why push a vacuum yourself when you can have a robot vacuum that you control via voice?

Cheat Sheet / Updated 09-08-2023

This handy Cheat Sheet includes important basics for starting up and operating a low power FM (LPFM) radio station. Learn about meeting the criteria for a license to operate, choosing turntables for playing music, crafting announcements, finding online resources, and more.