Semiconductor Device Operation Method for Accurate Weight Coefficient Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arithmetic circuits that perform product-sum operations using artificial neural networks face challenges in accurately retaining and writing weight coefficients due to potential shifts caused by operating environment conditions, leading to inaccurate arithmetic results.
Innovation Solution
The proposed operation method for a semiconductor device includes a control circuit, first and second circuits, a wiring, a cell, and a converter circuit. This method involves transmitting signals to the first circuit to generate currents corresponding to input data, which are then used to set potentials in the cell. The converter circuit outputs signals based on these potentials, allowing for the correction of any differences in the written data, thereby ensuring accurate multiplication operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a potential corresponding to a weight coefficient is retained in the arithmetic circuit, then the circuit can perform arithmetic operations, but the retained potential may be shifted from the intended potential due to operating environment conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control circuit reads the potential stored in the cell and compares it with the intended weight coefficient value. When a discrepancy is detected, the control circuit corrects the potential by adjusting the write voltage applied to the cell. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that the retained potential accurately represents the intended weight coefficient despite variations in operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple write operations to the cell before actual arithmetic operations begin. The control circuit repeatedly writes the potential corresponding to the weight coefficient and verifies its accuracy, making preliminary corrections to ensure the cell contains the correct value before it is used in computations. This pre-conditioning prevents potential shifts from affecting arithmetic accuracy.
2Device complexity
If the arithmetic circuit uses analog current for product-sum operation, then the circuit scale can be smaller and power consumption lower, but the weight coefficient may be shifted from the intended value
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit incorporates feedback by reading the stored potential from the cell and comparing it with the expected weight coefficient value. When discrepancies are detected, the system automatically corrects the potential through adjusted write operations. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement precision of weight coefficients while preserving the advantages of analog current-based computation with reduced circuit scale and lower power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation method of a semiconductor device that performs data writing and correction processing is provided. The operation method is for a semiconductor device including a control circuit, a first circuit, a second circuit, a wiring, a cell, and a converter circuit. In the operation method, first, the control circuit transmits, to the first circuit, a first signal corresponding to the value of first data. Next, the first circuit outputs, to the wiring, a first current with an amount corresponding to the first signal. Moreover, the cell retains a first potential corresponding to the amount of first current. Then, the cell makes a second current corresponding to the first potential flow from the wiring, and the converter circuit outputs a second signal corresponding to the amount of second current. Next, the second circuit obtains a difference value between a value corresponding to the second signal and the value of the first data. If the difference value is 0, the operation is terminated. If the difference value is not 0, the control circuit generates an update value obtained by adding the difference value to a value corresponding to the first signal previously transmitted. The first circuit obtains the first signal corresponding to the update value and outputs the updated first current to the cell.