SHF: Small: Bio-Inspired Logic Design with Graph and Field Theory

随着纳米级场效应器件在特征尺寸上迅速接近其物理极限，其随机器件特性将给构建鲁棒数字电路带来严峻挑战。与晶体管由于制造缺陷造成的缺陷不同，量子相关的开关不确定性将严重增加其对噪声的敏感性，从而使传统的思维和逻辑设计技术变得不足。本工作旨在发展一种新的逻辑设计范例，以实现随机不完美晶体管和互连的电路鲁棒性。为此，PI将传统的基于布尔的数字设计问题重新表述为概率逻辑标记问题，并试图用两种方法解决它：图论方法和场论方法。该项目还研究了两种非常规的逻辑设计方法：仿生逻辑脚手架和自校正逻辑设计。PI将通过开发新课程和创建引人注目的交互式学习材料（如基于硬件的仿真、软件仿真和跨学科研究机会）来传播研究结果，使学生接触到随机逻辑设计的新领域。PI还将制定专门针对代表性不足群体的指导和外展计划，从而为未来的IC产业准备新的多元化劳动力。

As nano-scale field-effect devices quickly approach their physical limits in feature size, their stochastic device characteristics will pose severe challenges to constructing robust digital circuitry. Unlike transistor defects due to fabrication imperfection, quantum-related switching uncertainties will seriously increase their susceptibility to noise, thus rendering the traditional thinking and logic design techniques inadequate. This work aims at developing a new logic design paradigm that achieves circuit robustness for stochastically imperfect transistors and interconnects. To this end, the PI reformulates the traditional boolean-based digital design problem as a probabilistic logic-labeling problem and attempts to solve it with two approaches: a graph-theoretic approach, and a field-theoretic approach. The project also studies two unconventional logic design methodologies: a bio-inspired logic scaffolding and a self-correcting logic design. The PI will disseminate findings by developing new curricula and creating compelling interactive learning materials e.g., hardware-based emulations, software simulations, and interdisciplinary study opportunities to expose students to the new area of stochastic logic design. The PI will also create mentoring and outreach programs specifically targeted to attract underrepresented groups, thus preparing a new diverse workforce for future IC industry.