Electronic warfare (EW) is one of the most complex arenas in modern defense. Signals are noisy, adversaries are adaptive, and data streams arrive at a speed and scale that overwhelm conventional machine learning systems. To stay ahead, the U.S. and its partners need algorithms that think and react more like the human brain: fast, adaptive, and energy efficient.
That’s exactly what Dr. Steven D. Harbour of Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute is pioneering with his groundbreaking work in bio-inspired computing. In 2025, Dr. Harbour and his team filed two patents that advance the frontier of spiking neural networks (SNNs) for real-time RF signal classification.
Caption: Dr. Harbour, director of AI Hardware Research, Parallax Advanced Research Center of Excellence and Lead Parallax Research Scientist on this research project.
The Challenge: Classifying Signals in a Sea of Noise
In adversarial EW environments, radio-frequency signals can be distorted by interference, hidden in noise, or deliberately engineered to be difficult to detect. Traditional deep learning classifiers, while powerful, often struggle.
Dr. Harbour’s solution is to combine spiking neural networks and tailor them for bio-inspired processors like Intel’s Loihi 2 and BrainChip’s Akida.
Why It Matters
Together, these two inventions form a new paradigm for Cognitive EW:
Brain-inspired efficiency
Scalable accuracy
Mission readiness
Dr. Harbour’s work doesn’t just represent incremental progress. It lays the foundation for next-generation EW systems that can detect, classify, and adapt in real time — critical capabilities for modern military and aerospace operations.
Toward Real-Time Bio-inspired Advantage
As bio-inspired computing continues to mature, the patents authored by Dr. Harbour and his colleagues at Parallax Advanced Research establish a first-of-its-kind intellectual property portfolio in Cognitive EW. Whether protected as patents or trade secrets, these architectures position Parallax at the forefront of applying brain-inspired AI to national defense.
In the battlespace of tomorrow, speed, accuracy, and adaptability will decide who controls the electromagnetic spectrum. Thanks to innovators like Dr. Steve Harbour, the U.S. is preparing to lead.
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About Parallax Advanced Research & the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is an advanced research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, an aerospace research institute located in Cleveland, OH, formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements across Ohio and the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing aerospace through collaboration, education, and workforce development.