Electromechanical Logic-in-Memory With Non-Volatile Beam Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity and volume of data processing in computing systems, particularly in applications like autonomous driving, pose a risk of data operation errors leading to potential accidents, necessitating a more reliable and efficient logic-in-memory solution.

Innovation Solution

An electromechanical logic-in-memory device featuring a conductive beam and electrodes that utilize electrostatic force to perform logic operations, maintaining adherence even after the electrostatic force is removed, allowing for non-volatile storage of logic operation results through a controller that determines operation modes and applies voltages corresponding to logic values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous electrostatic force is applied to maintain logic operation results, then the stability of stored data is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of logic operation resultsVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic pulsed voltages instead of continuous voltage to maintain the conductive beam's adhered state. The controller periodically applies voltage pulses to refresh the electrostatic adhesion, allowing the system to maintain data stability while significantly reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous voltage application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive beam's adhesion to electrodes is maintained through its own electrostatic charge and physical adhesion properties. Once the beam adheres to an electrode, it maintains this state through self-sustaining electrostatic attraction and physical adhesion, reducing the need for continuous external energy input to maintain the logic state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If electrostatic force is used to perform logic operations, then the operation speed is improved, but the complexity of voltage control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogic operation speedVSAvoidvoltage control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The same electrostatic actuation mechanism is used for multiple purposes: setting initial beam positions, performing logic operations, and maintaining stored states. The controller uses a unified voltage control approach that serves multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity despite the high-speed operation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller manages complexity by dynamically changing voltage parameters (magnitude, polarity, timing) based on the required logic operation. Different voltage configurations are applied for different logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, XOR), allowing high-speed operation through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables high-speed, stable logic operations and data storage, reducing the risk of errors in data processing, especially in high-stakes applications like autonomous driving, by maintaining logic operation results without the need for continuous electrostatic force.

Implementation Method 1

second and third electrodes disposed on both sides of the conductive beam and causing the conductive beam to be bent by electrostatic force, based on a potential difference between the second and third electrodes and the conductive beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

the conductive beam, after being attracted by and adhered to the second or third electrode, maintained to be adhered even when the electrostatic force is removed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic adhesion: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS12107576B2Electromechanical logic-in-memory device

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electromechanical logic-in-memory device includes a switching unit including a first electrode having a conductive beam and second and third electrodes disposed on both sides of the conductive beam and attracting the conductive beam by electrostatic force, based on an operating voltage applied between the second and third electrodes and the conductive beam, the conductive beam, after being attracted by and adhered to the second or third electrode, maintained to be adhered even when the electrostatic force is removed and a controller determining an operation mode according to types of logic operations included in input data, setting an initial position of the conductive beam by applying the operating voltage to any one of the second and third electrodes, selecting at least one of the first to third electrodes, and applying a predetermined voltage as a true value of a logic value included in the input data.