Memristor Interposer Integration for Precise High-Voltage Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single chip ASIC-memristor integrations face a design trade-off between optimizing ASIC performance using advanced CMOS technology nodes and enabling higher voltage, higher current, and larger form factor devices required for precise memristor programming, which is necessary for complex computations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a heterogeneous ASIC-memristor integration by decoupling memristor arrays from the ASIC chip and integrating them with a memristor interposer, allowing the use of advanced CMOS technology nodes for the ASIC chip and high voltage/high current devices for memristor programming, while leveraging the interposer for functional computation and electrical routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If single chip ASIC-memristor integration is used, then form factor is reduced and design simplicity is improved, but the ability to enable high voltage/high current devices for precise memristor programming is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate chips: an ASIC chip optimized for low voltage operation and a memristor chip for high voltage programming. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between small form factor and programming precision capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A heterogeneous interposer is introduced as an intermediary component that couples the ASIC chip and memristor chip. The interposer provides electrical routing and signal transmission between the two chips, enabling precise memristor programming while maintaining the benefits of separate chip optimization.
2Productivity
If advanced CMOS technology nodes are used for ASIC, then ASIC performance is optimized, but the voltage and current requirements for precise memristor programming cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The power delivery system is segmented into two paths: low voltage paths for the ASIC chip using advanced CMOS nodes, and high voltage paths for the memristor chip. This allows advanced CMOS technology to be used for ASIC performance optimization while separate high voltage circuitry enables precise memristor programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The heterogeneous interposer acts as a power intermediary, routing low voltage signals to the ASIC chip and high voltage signals to the memristor chip. This mediation allows the system to simultaneously support both low voltage advanced CMOS operation and high voltage memristor programming requirements.
3Measurement precision
If memristor arrays are decoupled from ASIC chip, then high voltage devices can be used for precise programming, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heterogeneous interposer is designed to perform multiple functions: electrical routing between chips, signal conditioning, and support for both low voltage ASIC operation and high voltage memristor programming. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the decoupled architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The interposer serves as a standardized intermediary that simplifies the coupling of disparate chips. By providing pre-designed electrical interfaces and routing, the interposer reduces the integration complexity that would otherwise result from directly connecting ASIC and memristor chips with different voltage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present technology provide heterogeneous (i.e., multi-chip) ASIC-memristor integrations that enable high voltage-dependent precision memristor programming while preserving optimal ASIC performance/capabilities. Examples achieve these advantages by “de-coupling” memristor hardware from ASIC chip. Accordingly, a heterogeneous ASIC-memristor integration of the present technology may comprise an ASIC chip packaged onto a functional “memristor-interposer” chip. The memristor interposer may serve both a functional and structural purpose. Namely, memristors of the memristor interposer can be leveraged in conjunction with the ASIC for processing/computation functions—while connections within the memristor interposer route signals between ASIC and computing system (e.g., between the ASIC and a printed circuit board).