MIXED SIGNAL STOCHASTIC BELIEF PROPAGATION

A processor implements a network of functional nodes and communication paths between the nodes. The processor includes a plurality of circuit implementations of the functional nodes of the processor; and a plurality of signal paths implementing the communication paths linking the circuit implementations of the nodes. At least some of the signal paths are configured to pass signal values represented according to temporal patterns of signal levels on the signal paths. The processor also includes a plurality of circuit components for conversion between a signal value represented as a signal level (e.g., voltage or current level) and a signal value represented as a temporal pattern.