Neuromorphic log-domain silicon synapse circuits obey bernoulli dynamics: a unifying tutorial analysis
Abstract
The field of neuromorphic silicon synapse circuits is revisited and a parsimonious mathematical framework able to describe the dynamics of this class of log-domain circuits in the aggregate and in a systematic manner is proposed. Starting from the Bernoulli Cell Formalism (BCF), originally formulated for the modular synthesis and analysis of externally linear, time-invariant logarithmic filters, and by means of the identification of new types of Bernoulli Cell (BC) operators presented here, a generalized formalism (GBCF) is established. The expanded formalism covers two new possible and practical combinations of a MOS transistor (MOST) and a linear capacitor. The corresponding mathematical relations codifying each case are presented and discussed through the tutorial treatment of three well-known transistor-level examples of log-domain neuromorphic silicon synapses. The proposed mathematical tool unifies past analysis approaches of the same circuits under a common theoretical framework. The speed advantage of the proposed mathematical framework as an analysis tool is also demonstrated by a compelling comparative circuit analysis example of high order, where the GBCF and another well-known log-domain circuit analysis method are used for the determination of the input-output transfer function of the high (4th) order topology. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000097401Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Frontiers in NeuroscienceVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Frontiers Research FoundationSubject
Analog VLSI (aVLSI); Generalized bernoulli cell formalism; Log-domain circuits; Subthreshold MOSFETs; Synaptic dynamicsOrganisational unit
03453 - Douglas, Rodney J.
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