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deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Lobsters·Jul 3·5 min read
Until_Heat_Death_Do_Us_Part: Counting until the heat death of the universe, broadcasting counter every second over 100Mbps ethernet
TL;DR
A gap existed in demonstrating long-term counting mechanisms in computing. An Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) was built to increment a counter every 20 nanoseconds and broadcast its value over a 100Mbps Ethernet connection every second.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers can explore extreme long-term data handling techniques for unique applications in hardware design.
Key Takeaways
- Consider extreme long-term data retention in hardware design.
- Explore unique applications of counting mechanisms.
- Investigate the implications of overflow events.
- Utilize high-speed Ethernet for real-time data broadcasting.
Full Summary
Long-term data retention and counting mechanisms are rarely explored in computing due to practical limitations. An ASIC was developed to increment a counter every 20 nanoseconds, which broadcasts its current value over a 100Mbps Ethernet connection every second.
This design theoretically allows for counting until the universe's heat death, estimated at around 10^100 years. The counter's overflow is anticipated to occur long after the sun engulfs Earth, providing a unique easter egg for those who wait.
The project highlights the potential for extreme long-term data handling in hardware design. Engineers can explore similar concepts for applications requiring persistent data tracking over vast timescales, albeit with practical constraints.