Configurable Analog Processor Array for Low-Power Sensor AI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sensor processing by digital compute architectures consume substantial power, especially when converting analog sensor data into the digital domain for signal processing and event detection, which is inefficient and power-intensive, particularly in low-power applications like advanced AI and ML.
Innovation Solution
A programmable analog processor utilizing a two-dimensional array of configurable analog processor tiles (CABs) with distributed memory and programmable operations, performing scalar analog operations and ML tasks efficiently, reducing the need for digital conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital compute architecture is used to convert and process analog sensor data, then processing accuracy and event detection capability are improved, but power consumption increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital compute architecture with an analog processing system that performs computations directly in the analog domain using continuous-time signal processing. This substitution eliminates the need for analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal processing operations, thereby maintaining event detection accuracy while substantially reducing power consumption by avoiding the high-power digital processing pipeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from digital discrete-time processing to analog continuous-time processing. By operating in the continuous domain with analog circuits, the system maintains the precision needed for event detection while consuming significantly less power, as analog circuits can perform multiple operations simultaneously without the sequential processing overhead of digital systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If analog processing is used for sensor data processing, then power consumption is reduced, but processing capability and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal analog processing platform that can handle multiple sensor types and processing algorithms through a common continuous-time processing architecture. The system achieves versatility by using reconfigurable analog circuits that can be programmed to perform different signal processing functions, enabling the same hardware to adapt to various processing capabilities while maintaining low power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the analog processing system, allowing the processing capability to be adjusted and adapted in real-time. Through dynamic switching and reconfiguration of analog circuit elements, the system can change its processing characteristics to match different sensor inputs and algorithm requirements, thereby achieving high adaptability without sacrificing the low-power advantage of analog processing.
3Loss of information
If all analog sensor data is converted to digital domain for processing, then complete data analysis is achieved, but power consumption and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes critical information directly in the analog domain before any digital conversion occurs. By performing preliminary signal processing, filtering, and feature extraction in the continuous-time domain, the system identifies and isolates important events and patterns, converting only the essential extracted data to digital form. This approach maintains complete data analysis capability while reducing processing time by eliminating unnecessary digital conversion and processing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An analog processor includes an array of Configurable Analog Blocks ("CABs") to receive analog signals as vector input data. Each CAB includes an analog delay element storing multiple time steps of the vector input data, and an analog convolution layer applies a set of analog weights to the vector input data to generate vector output data. Analog parameter storage and control circuitry configure operation of the CAB to apply a data processing network to the vector input data. A switch matrix interconnects CABs and transmits analog vector signals between CABs without conversion to digital signals. The analog processor applies the data processing network to the vector input data by propagating analog vectors through the array such that each CAB applies a portion of the data processing network.