Fall 2020

ECE 498: Neuromorphic VLSI design

Syllabus

Lectures

HW

Project

This course covers VLSI design (primarily sub-threshold mode operation) with emphasis on neuromorphic engineering: MOS transistors in CMOS technology, static circuits, dynamic circuits, systems (silicon neuron, silicon retina, silicon cochlea, silicon hippocampus, silicon lateral superior olive) with an introduction to multi-chip systems.

Objective: Understanding of the neuromorphic circuit elements as an emerging paradigm in VLSI circuit design.

Content: Neuromorphic circuits are inspired by the organizing principles of biological neural circuits. Their computational primitives are based on subthreshold mode operation of semiconductor devices. Neuromorphic architectures often rely on collective computation in parallel networks. Adaptation, learning and memory are implemented locally within the individual computational elements. Transistors are often operated in weak inversion (below threshold), where they exhibit exponential I-V characteristics and low currents. These properties lead to the feasibility of high-density, low-power implementations of functions that are computationally intensive in other paradigms. Application domains of neuromorphic circuits include silicon retinas, cochleas for machine vision and audition, real-time emulations of networks of biological neurons, the lateral superior olive and hippocampal formation for the development of autonomous robotic systems among others. This course covers devices in CMOS technology (MOS transistor below and above threshold, floating-gate MOS transistor, photo-transducers), static circuits (differential pair, current mirror, transconductance amplifiers, etc.), dynamic circuits (adaptive circuits), systems (silicon synapse, silicon neuron, silicon retina and cochlea, silicon lateral superior olive and hippocampal formation) and an introduction to multi-chip systems that communicate events analogous to spikes.

Prerequisites: ECE340 and ECE342.

Class Meetings: 3 hours lecture every week

Instructor      

Anu Aggarwal (agganu@illinois.edu)          

Teaching: MWF 2-2:50 pm

Office hours: T, R - 9-10 am

Text Book

• Analog VLSI: Circuits and Principles by Shih-Chii Liu, Jorg Kramer, Giacomo Indiveri, Tobias Delbruck, Rodney Douglas, 2002

Other Reference Books

• Analysis and Design of Analog Integrated Circuits, 5th Edition by Paul R. Gray, Paul J. Hurst, Stephen H. Lewis, Robert G. Meyer, 2009
• Analog VLSI and Neural systems by Carver Mead, 1989
• Other assigned readings

Grading

• Homework assignments: 10%
• Exams (mid-term and final, both in class): 30%+30%
• Project: 30%

Piazza: piazza.com/illinois/fall2020/ece498aa

This is the primary means of staff-student communication outside of lecture hours and office hours.

Grades and project submission: https://compass2g.illinois.edu

Grades will be posted in Compass2g. HW and Project will be submitted electronically via Compass2g as well. All class notes will be posted here.

Tentative Class Schedule

Lecture Zoom Meeting

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/96235820578?pwd=K2M0U2FSOUwxL2pLL1NXNjNvRmNZZz09

Meeting ID: 962 3582 0578
Password: 498AA