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Hybrid unary-binary design for multiplier-less printed ML classifiers (arxiv.org)
2 points by PaulHoule 363 days ago | hide | past | pdf | discuss on HN

In plain words: A new circuit design for printed electronics runs small neural-network classifiers without multipliers, mixing two number formats to skip bulky converter circuits. Trained together with the hardware in mind, it cut chip area by 46% versus other printed designs with almost no accuracy loss.

Abstract · Hybrid unary-binary design for multiplier-less printed Machine Learning classifiers

Printed Electronics (PE) provide a flexible, cost-efficient alternative to silicon for implementing machine learning (ML) circuits, but their large feature sizes limit classifier complexity. Leveraging PE's low fabrication and NRE costs, designers can tailor hardware to specific ML models, simplifying circuit design. This work explores alternative arithmetic and proposes a hybrid unary-binary architecture that removes costly encoders and enables efficient, multiplier-less execution of MLP classifiers. We also introduce architecture-aware training to further improve area and power efficiency. Evaluation on six datasets shows average reductions of 46% in area and 39% in power, with minimal accuracy loss, surpassing other state-of-the-art MLP designs.

Giorgos Armeniakos, Theodoros Mantzakidis, Dimitrios Soudris
arXiv:2509.15316 · cs.LG · submitted Sep 18, 2025
abstract · pdf · html · Accepted for publication by 25th International Conference on Embedded Computer Systems: Architectures, Modeling and Simulation

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