Floating Body Device Emulates Neuron Firing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor circuits emulating post-synaptic neuron firing processes in neuromorphic computation systems face challenges due to increased power consumption and area requirements, particularly when using capacitors, making it difficult to implement large-scale neuromorphic computation systems in a single chip.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor circuit utilizing a floating body device to store excess holes generated by impact ionization, which accumulates signals and triggers firing when exceeding a threshold, returning to the original state, replacing conventional capacitors with a control device connected to p-channel MOSFETs and inverters forming feedback loops to emulate the neuron firing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional capacitors are used to emulate neuron firing process, then signal accumulation function is achieved, but area and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of signal storage from electrical charge (capacitor) to optical absorption (floating body device). The floating body device absorbs photons and stores energy as potential energy in the form of electron-hole pairs, fundamentally changing how signal accumulation is achieved while reducing power consumption and area requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical capacitor-based signal accumulation mechanism with an optical-based floating body device. The floating body device uses optical absorption and impact ionization effects to accumulate signals, substituting the traditional electrical field storage mechanism with a photonic mechanism that consumes less power and occupies less area
2Area of stationary object
If conventional capacitors are used to emulate neuron firing process, then signal accumulation is possible, but circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage mechanism from electrical capacitance to optical absorption in floating body devices. This parameter change enables signal accumulation in a much smaller area because floating body devices have significantly smaller physical dimensions compared to capacitors required for equivalent signal storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The floating body device serves multiple functions: it acts as both the signal accumulation element and the neuron firing emulation element. The same floating body structure that absorbs photons also generates the impact ionization effect needed for firing, eliminating the need for separate capacitor components and reducing overall circuit area
3Area of stationary object
If floating body device is used to replace capacitor, then area and power consumption are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback loops where the output of the floating body device is fed back to control its operation. The firing event generates a signal that is fed back to reset or modulate the floating body device, creating a self-regulating system that emulates the refractory period of biological neurons. This feedback mechanism, while adding circuit elements, provides intelligent control that simplifies the overall system architecture
4Productivity
If conventional capacitor-based approach is used, then implementation is straightforward, but scalability to large-scale systems is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters from electrical field-based signal processing to optical field-based signal processing. This parameter change enables scalability because optical signals can be processed with lower power consumption and higher speed, allowing for the implementation of large-scale neuromorphic systems with thousands or millions of neuron equivalents on a single chip
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 significantly reduces the area and power consumption of neuron-mimicking circuits, enabling precise emulation of neuron firing and signal accumulation, allowing for efficient implementation of large-scale neuromorphic computation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a control device having a floating body... which emulates a signal accumulation of a neuron, triggers firing when the storage is in excess of a predetermined threshold value
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a semiconductor circuit for emulating neuron firing process having a floating body device instead of the conventional capacitor. By using a floating body to store excess holes generated by impact ionization, it is possible to emulate signal accumulation of a neuron, trigger firing when the storage is in excess of a predetermined threshold value, and return to an original state after the firing.