VLSI-Architectures for Associative Networks

Rückert U, Goser K. VLSI-Architectures for Associative Networks. In: Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems. Vol 1. Helsinki, Finland: IEEE; 1988: 755-758.This paper describes the basic design principles behind a silicon integrated circuit implementation of Associative Networks (ANs). These principles, which can be used to implement a wide range of AN types, are illustrated by means of a special VLSI design combining analog and digital CMOS technology. The importance of close interaction of system design and technologyresulting ina VLSI concept functionally optimized in m y respects will be pointed out. In this context on-chip analog circuit techniques are presented to implement necessary correlation and threshold operations of the AN processing units. A s e c ~ n d example for functional integration are the mf?mory cells (connection weights, "synapses") by mtrcducing a nonvolatile adaptive memory cell. The proposed cell takes advantage of the floating-ate transistor principle in which a threshold voltage can be set continously over a range of values representing the analog coupling strength of connected processing units