Arithmetic Apparatus Optimizing Input Period for Analog Multiply-Accumulate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analog-type circuits used for multiply-accumulate operations face challenges in accurately detecting operation results while maintaining low power consumption, particularly in neural networks.
Innovation Solution
The proposed arithmetic apparatus includes multiple input lines and multiply-accumulate devices with multiplication units that generate charges based on input values and weights, and an output unit that accumulates these charges to produce a multiply-accumulate signal. The duration of the input period is set based on the distribution of positive weight ratios, allowing for accurate detection of operation results while reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the duration of the input period is extended to increase the multiply-accumulate signal level, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the input period duration as a key parameter to achieve the desired signal level while minimizing power consumption. By carefully selecting the input period based on the distribution of positive weight ratios, the system finds the optimal balance between signal strength and energy usage, avoiding both excessively long periods (high power consumption) and too short periods (insufficient signal level).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by setting the input period duration to exactly what is needed based on the positive weight ratio distribution, rather than using a fixed extended period for all cases. This allows the system to achieve sufficient signal level only when necessary, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Loss of energy
If the input period is shortened to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the multiply-accumulate signal level decreases making accurate detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the input period parameter based on the calculated positive weight ratio distribution. When the distribution indicates lower signal levels, the input period is extended appropriately; when higher signal levels are expected, the period is shortened. This adaptive parameter adjustment maintains energy efficiency while ensuring sufficient signal level for accurate detection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the positive weight ratio distribution is highly variable across multiply-accumulate devices, then adaptability is improved, but the consistency of operation results decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by calculating the positive weight ratio distribution across all multiply-accumulate devices and using this information to determine the appropriate input period duration. This feedback mechanism ensures that the input period is adjusted to accommodate the actual weight distribution, maintaining operation result consistency despite variations in device configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the input period duration based on the actual positive weight ratio distribution measured in the system. Rather than using a fixed static period, the input period is adjusted to match the dynamic characteristics of the weight distribution, ensuring consistent operation results across devices with different configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate detection of operation results while minimizing power consumption by optimizing the input period according to the distribution of positive weight ratios, enhancing the level of the multiply-accumulate signal output from each device.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of multiplication units generates, on the basis of the electrical signal input into each of the plurality of input lines, a charge corresponding to a product value obtained by multiplying the input value by a weight value
Implementation Method 2
The output unit accumulates a charge corresponding to the product value generated by each of the plurality of multiplication units and outputs, on the basis of the accumulated charge, a multiply-accumulate signal representing a sum of the product values
Data Source
AI summary
An arithmetic apparatus includes input lines and multiply-accumulate devices. An electrical signal for an input value is input into each of the input lines within a predetermined input period. Multiplication units include a positive weight multiplication unit that generates a positive weight charge for a product value obtained by multiplying the input value by a positive weight value and/or a negative weight multiplication unit that generates a negative weight charge for a product value obtained by multiplying the input value by a negative weight value. They are configured such that a positive weight ratio that is a ratio of a sum total of the positive weight values to a sum total of absolute values of the weight values is any ratio of 0% to 100%. An output unit of the multiply-accumulate device accumulates the generated weight charges to output a multiply-accumulate signal representing a sum of the product values.