439 research outputs found
Memristor-based Synaptic Networks and Logical Operations Using In-Situ Computing
We present new computational building blocks based on memristive devices.
These blocks, can be used to implement either supervised or unsupervised
learning modules. This is achieved using a crosspoint architecture which is an
efficient array implementation for nanoscale two-terminal memristive devices.
Based on these blocks and an experimentally verified SPICE macromodel for the
memristor, we demonstrate that firstly, the Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity
(STDP) can be implemented by a single memristor device and secondly, a
memristor-based competitive Hebbian learning through STDP using a synaptic network. This is achieved by adjusting the memristor's
conductance values (weights) as a function of the timing difference between
presynaptic and postsynaptic spikes. These implementations have a number of
shortcomings due to the memristor's characteristics such as memory decay,
highly nonlinear switching behaviour as a function of applied voltage/current,
and functional uniformity. These shortcomings can be addressed by utilising a
mixed gates that can be used in conjunction with the analogue behaviour for
biomimetic computation. The digital implementations in this paper use in-situ
computational capability of the memristor.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, 2 table
Reconfigurable halide perovskite nanocrystal memristors for neuromorphic computing
Many in-memory computing frameworks demand electronic devices with specific switching characteristics to achieve the desired level of computational complexity. Existing memristive devices cannot be reconfigured to meet the diverse volatile and non-volatile switching requirements, and hence rely on tailored material designs specific to the targeted application, limiting their universality. “Reconfigurable memristors” that combine both ionic diffusive and drift mechanisms could address these limitations, but they remain elusive. Here we present a reconfigurable halide perovskite nanocrystal memristor that achieves on-demand switching between diffusive/volatile and drift/non-volatile modes by controllable electrochemical reactions. Judicious selection of the perovskite nanocrystals and organic capping ligands enable state-of-the-art endurance performances in both modes – volatile (2 × 10 cycles) and non-volatile (5.6 × 10 cycles). We demonstrate the relevance of such proof-of-concept perovskite devices on a benchmark reservoir network with volatile recurrent and non-volatile readout layers based on 19,900 measurements across 25 dynamically-configured devices
Emulating long-term synaptic dynamics with memristive devices
The potential of memristive devices is often seeing in implementing
neuromorphic architectures for achieving brain-like computation. However, the
designing procedures do not allow for extended manipulation of the material,
unlike CMOS technology, the properties of the memristive material should be
harnessed in the context of such computation, under the view that biological
synapses are memristors. Here we demonstrate that single solid-state TiO2
memristors can exhibit associative plasticity phenomena observed in biological
cortical synapses, and are captured by a phenomenological plasticity model
called triplet rule. This rule comprises of a spike-timing dependent plasticity
regime and a classical hebbian associative regime, and is compatible with a
large amount of electrophysiology data. Via a set of experiments with our
artificial, memristive, synapses we show that, contrary to conventional uses of
solid-state memory, the co-existence of field- and thermally-driven switching
mechanisms that could render bipolar and/or unipolar programming modes is a
salient feature for capturing long-term potentiation and depression synaptic
dynamics. We further demonstrate that the non-linear accumulating nature of
memristors promotes long-term potentiating or depressing memory transitions
Memristor models for machine learning
In the quest for alternatives to traditional CMOS, it is being suggested that
digital computing efficiency and power can be improved by matching the
precision to the application. Many applications do not need the high precision
that is being used today. In particular, large gains in area- and power
efficiency could be achieved by dedicated analog realizations of approximate
computing engines. In this work, we explore the use of memristor networks for
analog approximate computation, based on a machine learning framework called
reservoir computing. Most experimental investigations on the dynamics of
memristors focus on their nonvolatile behavior. Hence, the volatility that is
present in the developed technologies is usually unwanted and it is not
included in simulation models. In contrast, in reservoir computing, volatility
is not only desirable but necessary. Therefore, in this work, we propose two
different ways to incorporate it into memristor simulation models. The first is
an extension of Strukov's model and the second is an equivalent Wiener model
approximation. We analyze and compare the dynamical properties of these models
and discuss their implications for the memory and the nonlinear processing
capacity of memristor networks. Our results indicate that device variability,
increasingly causing problems in traditional computer design, is an asset in
the context of reservoir computing. We conclude that, although both models
could lead to useful memristor based reservoir computing systems, their
computational performance will differ. Therefore, experimental modeling
research is required for the development of accurate volatile memristor models.Comment: 4 figures, no tables. Submitted to neural computatio
Computational Capacity and Energy Consumption of Complex Resistive Switch Networks
Resistive switches are a class of emerging nanoelectronics devices that
exhibit a wide variety of switching characteristics closely resembling
behaviors of biological synapses. Assembled into random networks, such
resistive switches produce emerging behaviors far more complex than that of
individual devices. This was previously demonstrated in simulations that
exploit information processing within these random networks to solve tasks that
require nonlinear computation as well as memory. Physical assemblies of such
networks manifest complex spatial structures and basic processing capabilities
often related to biologically-inspired computing. We model and simulate random
resistive switch networks and analyze their computational capacities. We
provide a detailed discussion of the relevant design parameters and establish
the link to the physical assemblies by relating the modeling parameters to
physical parameters. More globally connected networks and an increased network
switching activity are means to increase the computational capacity linearly at
the expense of exponentially growing energy consumption. We discuss a new
modular approach that exhibits higher computational capacities and energy
consumption growing linearly with the number of networks used. The results show
how to optimize the trade-off between computational capacity and energy
efficiency and are relevant for the design and fabrication of novel computing
architectures that harness random assemblies of emerging nanodevices
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