SkyANN: Skyrmionic Artificial Neural Networks

Skyrmionic人工神经网络（SkyANN）为神经形态计算提供了一个开创性的范例，通过将skyrmionic准粒子（模拟神经递质并促进突触水平的复杂计算）与电CMOS连接（模拟神经元之间的动作电位传播以实现快速和密集的层间连接）相结合，密切模拟大脑神经生理学。我们的创新磁电器件旨在实现比CMOS技术低四个数量级的能耗，并在相同的器件尺寸下实现两倍的带宽，增强边缘推断和学习能力。这种方法挑战了采用CMOS数字、混合信号和新兴存储器计算技术实现的当代神经网络，这些技术受到较低能效和可靠性的限制。在SkyANN合作伙伴的初步成果基础上，我们计划进行一项雄心勃勃的奋进，开发首个同类磁电神经网络，展示这项新技术的巨大潜力。沿着，我们将完善材料，工艺，设计方法和架构，为未来的欧洲微纳米电子生态系统做好准备，同时支持欧盟的绿色交易愿景。我们平衡的联盟汇集了互补的专业知识和广泛的知识，从器件物理到电路和架构，跨越多个设计抽象层。因此，SkyANN联盟准备促进基础发现向相关行业利益相关者的快速转移，加速影响并加强欧洲在经济，地缘政治和社会重要半导体领域的优势。

The Skyrmionic Artificial Neural Network (SkyANN) presents a groundbreaking paradigm for neuromorphic computing, closely emulating brain neurophysiology by combining skyrmionic quasiparticles, which mimic neurotransmitters and facilitate complex computations at the synapse level, with electrical CMOS connections that simulate the propagation of action potentials among neurons for rapid and dense inter-layer connectivity. Our innovative magneto-electric devices aim to achieve energy consumption four orders of magnitude lower than CMOS technology and double the bandwidth for the same device footprint, enhancing edge inference and learning capabilities. This approach challenges contemporary neural networks implemented with CMOS digital, mixed-signal, and emerging in memory computing technologies, which are limited by lower energy efficiency and reliability. Building on preliminary results from SkyANN partners, we plan an ambitious endeavor to develop a first-of-its-kind magneto-electric neural network, showcasing the promising potential of this novel technology. Along the way, we will refine materials, processes, design methodologies, and architectures to prepare the European micro- and nano-electronics ecosystem for the future, while supporting the EU's Green Deal vision. Our well balanced consortium brings together complementary expertise and extensive knowledge, spanning from device physics to circuits and architectures across multiple layers of design abstraction. As a result, the SkyANN consortium is poised to facilitate the rapid transfer of fundamental discoveries to relevant industrial stakeholders, accelerating impact and reinforcing European strengths in the economically, geopolitically, and socially vital semiconductor sector.