Event-Based Neuromorphic Systems

10

Programmable and Configurable Analog Neuromorphic ICs

A fundamental capability of any system, whether conventional or neuromorphic, is the ability to have long-term memories whether for program control, parameter storage, or general configurability. This chapter provides an overview of a programmable analog technology based on floating-gate circuits for reconfigurable platforms that can be used to implement such systems. It covers basic concepts of floating-gate devices, capacitor-based circuits, and charge modification mechanisms that underlie this configurable analog technology. It also discusses the extension of these techniques to program large arrays of floating-gate devices. The analog programmability afforded by this technology opens up possibilities to a wide range of programmable signal processing approaches (e.g., image processing) enabled through configurable analog platforms, such as large-scale field programmable analog arrays (FPAA).

10.1   Introduction

Over the last decade, floating-gate circuit approaches have progressed from a few foundational academic results (Hasler et al. 1995; Shibata and Ohmi 1992) to a stable circuit and system technology with both academic and industrial applications. This programmable analog technology empowers analog signal processing approaches. An analog technology that is programmable can enable analog components to be seen as ...