Exploiting Approximate Computing for implementing Low Cost Fault Tolerance Mechanisms

Today's computer architectures and semiconductor technologies are facing major challenges making them incapable to deliver the required features (such as computer efficiency) for emerging applications. Alternative architectures are being under investigation in order to continue deliver sustainable benefits for the foreseeable future society at affordable cost. These architectures are not only changing the traditional computing paradigm (e.g., in terms of programming models, compilers, circuit design), but also setting up new challenges and opportunities concerning the test and reliability. This tutorial targets the challenges and opportunities of using approximate computing for achieving low cost fault tolerance mechanisms.