In plain words: Built a chip that runs spiking neural networks—neurons that fire only when signals cross a threshold—using entirely free design tools and open memory blueprints. It handles 48,262 images per second while staying competitive with full-precision spiking chips on accuracy.
Abstract · OpenSpike: An OpenRAM SNN Accelerator
This paper presents a spiking neural network (SNN) accelerator made using fully open-source EDA tools, process design kit (PDK), and memory macros synthesized using OpenRAM. The chip is taped out in the 130 nm SkyWater process and integrates over 1 million synaptic weights, and offers a reprogrammable architecture. It operates at a clock speed of 40 MHz, a supply of 1.8 V, uses a PicoRV32 core for control, and occupies an area of 33.3 mm^2. The throughput of the accelerator is 48,262 images per second with a wallclock time of 20.72 us, at 56.8 GOPS/W. The spiking neurons use hysteresis to provide an adaptive threshold (i.e., a Schmitt trigger) which can reduce state instability. This results in high performing SNNs across a range of benchmarks that remain competitive with state-of-the-art, full precision SNNs. The design is open sourced and available online: https://github.com/sfmth/OpenSpike
Farhad Modaresi, Matthew Guthaus, Jason K. Eshraghian
arXiv:2302.01015 · cs.AR, cs.NE · submitted Feb 2, 2023
abstract · pdf · html · The design is open sourced and available online: https://github.com/sfmth/OpenSpike