How recently , Toshiba doesn't have to wait for quantum computing to begin solving tasks that are unimaginable on today's computers today. To do this, Toshiba has developed software algorithms that no one else has analogues.
The description of the algorithm was first published in an article on the Science Advances website in . Then, according to reports, many experts greeted Toshiba's announcement with skepticism. And the essence of this statement is that in order to solve a number of specific tasks, which we will discuss below, an ordinary computer “hardware” is suitable - server, for a PC or a bundle of video cards - which will solve problems up to 10 times faster than an optical quantum computer.
Following the publication of the article, Toshiba ran a number of simulations during 2019 using a "quantum" algorithm. As the company reported, on a stand based on an FPGA matrix with 2000 nodes (which played the role of variables) and approximately 2 million inter-node connections, the solution was calculated in 0,5 s. Running the search for a solution on a laser (optical) quantum simulator solved the problem 10 times slower.
Arbitrage simulation experiments in currency trading yielded a solution in just 30 milliseconds with a 90 percent chance of making a profitable trade. Needless to say, the development immediately interested the financial community?
And yet, Toshiba is in no hurry to provide commercial services using "quantum" algorithms. According to the December Nikkei report, Toshiba plans to create a subsidiary to practically test the developed algorithms in the field of instant transactions on currency exchanges. At the same time, it will earn a little if the algorithm is as good as they say about it.
As for the algorithm itself, it is a modeling (simulation) of branching or bifurcation phenomena in combination with such analogues in classical mechanics as adiabatic and ergodic processes. Otherwise it can not be. The algorithm cannot appeal directly to quantum mechanics, since it works on classical PCs with von Neumann logic.
in thermodynamics, they mean processes that are impenetrable to the outside or closed in themselves, and means that the system can be described by observing one of its elements. In general, the algorithm seeks solutions to the so-called when from a great variety of variables it is necessary to find several optimal combinations. Such problems cannot be solved by direct calculation. Such tasks include logistics, molecular chemistry, trading and many other useful and interesting things. Toshiba promises to start wide practical application of its algorithms in 2021. She is not willing to wait 10 years or more for quantum computers to solve "quantum" problems.
Source: 3dnews.ru