Collaborative Research: SMURFS: Statistical Modeling, SimUlation and Robust Design Techniques For MemriStors

SMURFS：记忆存储器的统计建模、仿真和稳健设计技术[摘要]第四基本无源电路元件&amp；#8722；忆阻器在海量数据存储、神经形态计算、信号处理、生物医学芯片实验室、传感等领域显示出巨大的潜力。本研究的目的是探讨工艺变化和环境波动对基于忆阻器的VLSI系统的设计影响，利用快速统计仿真技术，并探索新的电路技术来提高忆阻系统的可靠性和鲁棒性。智力优势：本研究包括三个组成部分：(1)将开发具有代表性的记忆电阻器技术（即TiO2薄膜和自旋电子记忆电阻器）的统计器件模型，以促进工艺变化感知的设计空间探索；(2)开发快速蒙特卡罗仿真平台，用于基于忆阻器的VLSI系统设计与仿真；(3)利用统计忆阻器模型和仿真平台，将研究鲁棒电路设计技术，以最大限度地减少由工艺变化引起的电性能波动。更广泛的影响：本研究提供了一个全面的设计包，可以有效地将忆阻器集成到现有的VLSI系统中，以提供更好的性能和功耗。设备工程师和电路设计师通过研究创新很好地沟通和教育。通过与领先的行业合作伙伴的密切合作，所开发的技术可以直接转移到工业应用中，并直接影响未来基于忆阻器的VLSI系统。合作的活动还包括在主要会议上就项目的技术方面和新课程的发展提供指导。

SMURFS: Statistical Modeling, SimUlation and Robust Design Techniques For MemriStorsAbstractThe fourth fundamental passive circuit element − memristor, has demonstrated great potentials in massive data storage, neuromorphic computing, signal processing, biomedical lab-on-a-chip, sensing etc. The objective of this research is to investigate the design implications of process variations and environmental fluctuations to memristor-based VLSI systems, to exploit a fast statistical simulation technique, and to explore new circuit techniques to improve the memristive system reliability and robustness.Intellectual Merit: This research includes three integrated components: (1) The statistical device models for representative memristor technologies, i.e., the TiO2 thin-film and spintronic memristors, will be developed to facilitate the process variation aware design space explorations; (2) The fast Monte-Carlo simulation platform will be developed for memristor-based VLSI system designs and simulations; (3) By leveraging the statistical memristor models and simulation platform, robust circuit design techniques that can minimize the fluctuations of the electrical properties caused by process variations will be investigated.Broader Impacts: This research provides a comprehensive design package for efficiently integrating memristor into existing VLSI systems to offer better performance and power consumption. The device engineers and the circuit designers are well bridged and educated by the research innovations. The developed techniques can be directly transferred to industry applications under the close collaborations with leading industry partners, and directly impact the future memristor-based VLSI systems. The activities in the collaboration also include the tutorials in the major conferences on the technical aspects of the projects and new course development.