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Wafer-Scale TaOx Device Variability and Implications for Neuromorphic Computing Applications

IEEE International Reliability Physics Symposium Proceedings

Bennett, Christopher H.; Garland, Diana; Jacobs-Gedrim, Robin B.; Agarwal, Sapan A.; Marinella, Matthew J.

Scaling arrays of non-volatile memory devices from academic demonstrations to reliable, manufacturable systems requires a better understanding of variability at array and wafer-scale levels. CrossSim models the accuracy of neural networks implemented on an analog resistive memory accelerator using the cycle-to-cycle variability of a single device. In this work, we extend this modeling tool to account for device-to-device variation in a realistic way, and evaluate the impact of this reliability issue in the context of neuromorphic online learning tasks.

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Designing and modeling analog neural network training accelerators

2019 International Symposium on VLSI Technology, Systems and Application, VLSI-TSA 2019

Agarwal, Sapan A.; Jacobs-Gedrim, Robin B.; Bennett, Christopher H.; Hsia, Alexander W.; Adee, Shane M.; Hughart, David R.; Fuller, Elliot J.; Li, Yiyang; Talin, A.A.; Marinella, Matthew J.

Analog crossbars have the potential to reduce the energy and latency required to train a neural network by three orders of magnitude when compared to an optimized digital ASIC. The crossbar simulator, CrossSim, can be used to model device nonidealities and determine what device properties are needed to create an accurate neural network accelerator. Experimentally measured device statistics are used to simulate neural network training accuracy and compare different classes of devices including TaOx ReRAM, Lir-Co-Oz devices, and conventional floating gate SONOS memories. A technique called 'Periodic Carry' can overcomes device nonidealities by using a positional number system while maintaining the benefit of parallel analog matrix operations.

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Parallel programming of an ionic floating-gate memory array for scalable neuromorphic computing

Science

Fuller, Elliot J.; Keene, Scott T.; Melianas, Armantas; Wang, Zhongrui; Agarwal, Sapan A.; Li, Yiyang; Tuchman, Yaakov; James, Conrad D.; Marinella, Matthew J.; Yang, J.J.; Salleo, Alberto; Talin, A.A.

Neuromorphic computers could overcome efficiency bottlenecks inherent to conventional computing through parallel programming and readout of artificial neural network weights in a crossbar memory array. However, selective and linear weight updates and <10-nanoampere read currents are required for learning that surpasses conventional computing efficiency. We introduce an ionic floating-gate memory array based on a polymer redox transistor connected to a conductive-bridge memory (CBM). Selective and linear programming of a redox transistor array is executed in parallel by overcoming the bridging threshold voltage of the CBMs. Synaptic weight readout with currents <10 nanoamperes is achieved by diluting the conductive polymer with an insulator to decrease the conductance. The redox transistors endure >1 billion write-read operations and support >1-megahertz write-read frequencies.

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Sparse Data Acquisition on Emerging Memory Architectures

IEEE Access

Quach, Tu-Thach Q.; Agarwal, Sapan A.; James, Conrad D.; Marinella, Matthew J.; Aimone, James B.

Emerging memory devices, such as resistive crossbars, have the capacity to store large amounts of data in a single array. Acquiring the data stored in large-capacity crossbars in a sequential fashion can become a bottleneck. We present practical methods, based on sparse sampling, to quickly acquire sparse data stored on emerging memory devices that support the basic summation kernel, reducing the acquisition time from linear to sub-linear. The experimental results show that at least an order of magnitude improvement in acquisition time can be achieved when the data are sparse. In addition, we show that the energy cost associated with our approach is competitive to that of the sequential method.

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Training a Neural Network on Analog TaOx ReRAM Devices Irradiated With Heavy Ions: Effects on Classification Accuracy Demonstrated With CrossSim

IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

Jacobs-Gedrim, Robin B.; Hughart, David R.; Agarwal, Sapan A.; Vizkelethy, Gyorgy V.; Bielejec, E.S.; Vaandrager, Bastiaan L.; Swanson, Scot E.; Knisely, K.E.; Taggart, J.L.; Barnaby, H.J.; Marinella, M.J.

The image classification accuracy of a TaOx ReRAM-based neuromorphic computing accelerator is evaluated after intentionally inducing a displacement damage up to a fluence of 1014 2.5-MeV Si ions/cm2 on the analog devices that are used to store weights. Results are consistent with a radiation-induced oxygen vacancy production mechanism. When the device is in the high-resistance state during heavy ion radiation, the device resistance, linearity, and accuracy after training are only affected by high fluence levels. The findings in this paper are in accordance with the results of previous studies on TaOx-based digital resistive random access memory. When the device is in the low-resistance state during irradiation, no resistance change was detected, but devices with a 4-kΩ inline resistor did show a reduction in accuracy after training at 1014 2.5-MeV Si ions/cm2. This indicates that changes in resistance can only be somewhat correlated with changes to devices' analog properties. This paper demonstrates that TaOx devices are radiation tolerant not only for high radiation environment digital memory applications but also when operated in an analog mode suitable for neuromorphic computation and training on new data sets.

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All-Solid-State Synaptic Transistor with Ultralow Conductance for Neuromorphic Computing

Advanced Functional Materials

Yang, Chuan S.; Shang, Da S.; Liu, Nan; Fuller, Elliot J.; Agarwal, Sapan A.; Talin, A.A.; Li, Yong Q.; Shen, Bao G.; Sun, Young

Electronic synaptic devices are important building blocks for neuromorphic computational systems that can go beyond the constraints of von Neumann architecture. Although two-terminal memristive devices are demonstrated to be possible candidates, they suffer from several shortcomings related to the filament formation mechanism including nonlinear switching, write noise, and high device conductance, all of which limit the accuracy and energy efficiency. Electrochemical three-terminal transistors, in which the channel conductance can be tuned without filament formation provide an alternative platform for synaptic electronics. Here, an all-solid-state electrochemical transistor made with Li ion–based solid dielectric and 2D α-phase molybdenum oxide (α-MoO3) nanosheets as the channel is demonstrated. These devices achieve nonvolatile conductance modulation in an ultralow conductance regime (<75 nS) by reversible intercalation of Li ions into the α-MoO3 lattice. Based on this operating mechanism, the essential functionalities of synapses, such as short- and long-term synaptic plasticity and bidirectional near-linear analog weight update are demonstrated. Simulations using the handwritten digit data sets demonstrate high recognition accuracy (94.1%) of the synaptic transistor arrays. These results provide an insight into the application of 2D oxides for large-scale, energy-efficient neuromorphic computing networks.

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Results 51–75 of 126
Results 51–75 of 126