Neuromorphic computing

As digitalization progresses, more and more data needs to be processed faster and faster. One approach, e.g., for artificial intelligence (AI) and the sub-area of deep learning, is neuromorphic computing, in which powerful and efficient biological neural networks inspire computers. Our brain is highly effective at processing information, very good at recognizing patterns and images, and at the same time extremely energy-efficient. The self-organizing and self-learning nature of the brain now mimics neuromorphic computing by processing data in a network of neurons and synapses during transmission rather than after it has been transported from memory to the processing unit. A major advantage of this is the energy saving, as only the neurons in a network that are actually needed are activated.

 

Research fields

  • Combinations of FEoL and BEoL processes for new neuromorphic ICs
  • Complex digital design and 2.5D and 3D integrated subsystems for neuromorphic hardware
  • Deep Neural Networks (DNN)
  • Spiking Neural Networks (SNN)

Project examples

T-KOS - Terahertz Technologies, e.g. for neuromorphic computing with Fraunhofer FHR, Fraunhofer ENAS, Fraunhofer HHI, Fraunhofer IAF, Fraunhofer IMS, Fraunhofer IPMS, Fraunhofer IZM, Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD), Leibniz FBH, Leibniz IHP

In the T-KOS project, terahertz technology is now to be synergetically developed for industry in the fields of communication and sensor technology for the first time. 

Learn more

 

Strategic research topic Neuromorphic Computing @ Fraunhofer EMFT

including expertise in micro- and nanotechnologies for new neuromorphic systems for semiconductor chips I Development of neurologically inspired computer architectures I Memristors - from memory and resistor, memory and electrical resistance as synapses based on new 2D nanomaterials I Circuit Design team develops new integrated memory technologies in innovative concepts for the realization of analog and digital neuromorphic circuits
Learn more

 

Memristive components, e.g. for novel, "low-energy" computing architectures for neuromorphic electronics @ Fraunhofer EMFT

At Fraunhofer EMFT, various novel memristive components and devices are developed and tested. This includes especially thin-film architectures (MIM, metal-isolator-metal) from various metal layers and oxide dielectrics. 

Learn more

 

EU project NeurONN - On the way to brain-like computing with Fraunhofer EMFT

Work on extremely energy-efficient elements and architectures for neuromorphic computing. Innovative 2D materials are also used in the process.
Learn more

2D materials based on the chalcogenides MoS2 and WS2, e.g. for neuromorphic computing "at the edge" @ Fraunhofer EMFT

On the equipment base, Fraunhofer EMFT contributes with a 3-chamber cluster tool, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Project FMD, 16FMD01K). Mature wafer size is 200 mm, but with adapters processing of smaller wafers or samples is possible as well. 

Learn more

 

EU project ANDANTE - Development of innovative mixed-signal accelerators for artificial neural networks (ANN) with computation-in-memory (CIM) capability, with Fraunhofer EMFT, Fraunhofer IIS, Fraunhofer IPMS

Fraunhofer EMFT researchers are working together with Fraunhofer IIS and Fraunhofer IPMS as part of the EU ANDANTE project to develop innovative mixed-signal artificial neural network (ANN) accelerator with computation-in-memory (CIM) ability. 

Learn more

 

ECSEL project TEMPO (Technology & Hardware for Neuromorphic Computing) with Fraunhofer EMFT, Fraunhofer IPMS

Within the ECSEL project TEMPO (Technology & Hardware for Neuromorphic Computing) the German consortium with participation of Fraunhofer EMFT is working on the development and evaluation of power-saving neuromorphic computing chips in the 22nm FDSOI technology node.

Learn more

 

White paper on memristor technologies with Fraunhofer ENAS

A team at Fraunhofer ENAS is currently developing a technology for the production of BFO memristors at wafer level in crossbar array structures as part of the ATTRACT project "Development of an overall technology for the modular integration of novel electronic components in microelectronic CMOS hybrids - BFO4ICT".

Learn more

 

Beyond-CMOS and RF devices, integrated circuits and technologies - Memristors for the computers of tomorrow @ Fraunhofer ENAS

In view of the increasing challenge in the miniaturization of conventional CMOS circuits, a further increase in performance through miniaturization is economically difficult and can only be maintained by large-volume production.

Learn more

 

Neuromorphic hardware @ Fraunhofer IIS

With the following neuromorphic architectures:

- Analog neuromorphic hardware design

- Digital neuromorphic hardware design

- Pulsed neuromorphic hardware design

- Spiking neural network accelerator
Learn more

 

Hardware for AI - consulting, design and implementation @ Fraunhofer IIS

Fraunhofer IIS covers both microcontroller-based machine learning and the use of embedded chips with deep learning accelerators. For a given problem, researchers analyze the system requirements and determine the appropriate algorithms and the best hardware options.

Learn more

 

Lo3-ML - Low-Power Low-Memory Low-Cost ECG Signal Analysis Using Machine Learning Algorithms - Energy-saving AI chip wins innovation competition @ Fraunhofer IIS

Organized by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the "Energy-efficient AI systems" pilot innovation contest posed the challenge: "Which team can produce a chip that detects atrial fibrillation in ECG data with at least 90 percent accuracy while consuming the least energy possible?".

Learn more

 

KI-FLEX - Reconfigurable hardware platform for AI-based sensor data processing for autonomous driving with Fraunhofer IIS

Reconfigurable hardware platform for AI-based sensor data processing for autonomous driving.

Funding body: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
Learn more

 

LODRIC - LOW-Power Digital Deep LeaRning Inference Chip mit Fraunhofer IIS

Eleven teams from universities and research institutes competed in the pilot innovation competition to find the most efficient solution for high-performance electronics that can run artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.

Learn more

 

SEC-Learn - Sensor-Edge-Cloud for Federated Learning with Fraunhofer EMFT, Fraunhofer IIS, Fraunhofer IIS/EAS, Fraunhofer IPMS

The SEC-Learn project is creating a system of distributed energy-saving edge devices that learn together to solve a complex signal processing problem using machine learning.

Learn more

 

ADELIA - Analog Deep Learning Inference Accelerator with Fraunhofer IIS, Fraunhofer IPMS

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has launched its first-ever competition dedicated to the development of an innovative, energy-efficient AI system.

Learn more

 

With neuromorphic hardware to »fast-thinking« AI @ Fraunhofer IIS

It is impossible to speed up artificial intelligence indefinitely on classical computers. The hardware needs time to “think”. Read here how Fraunhofer IIS solves this problem.

Learn more

 

Neuromorphic Hardware: We bring AI to the Edge @ Fraunhofer IIS

Newly developed neuromorphic hardware will enable highly efficient processing of sensor data on edge devices.

Learn more

 

Drastically reducing the risk of stroke: Neuromorphic hardware makes it possible! @ Fraunhofer IIS

A research team from Fraunhofer IIS and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) has developed neuromorphic hardware capable of detecting early signs of atrial fibrillation and considerably reducing the risk of stroke.

Learn more

 

Neuromorphic hardware for autonomous driving @ Fraunhofer IIS

In the KI-FLEX project, researchers are developing neuromorphic hardware that allows artificial intelligence (AI) to be integrated directly into a car – in the form of a flexible platform.

Learn more

 

Fraunhofer IMS launches an initiative for a virtual competence center in chip design

Become part of CHIPS.NRW, e.g. for the areas of Neuromorphic Computing / RISC-V / Open Hardware.
Learn more

 

Neural networks @ Fraunhofer IMS

The Competence Microelectronics Intelligence builds intelligent sensors by integrating advanced micro/nano sensors with artificial intelligent processing by providing reliable neural network circuits built in integrated analog hardware for real-time sensory applications.

Learn more

 

Technologies ASICs - including with artificial intelligence and neuromorphic cores @ Fraunhofer IMS

From high-resolution sensor systems over embedded hardware security, open RISC-V microcontrollers up to artificial intelligence and neuromorphic cores, Fraunhofer IMS offers solutions for direct application and as IPs for the integration into your ASIC.

Learn more

 

Fraunhofer lead project NeurOSmart with Fraunhofer IMS, Fraunhofer IPMS, Fraunhofer ISIT

In the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's lead project NeurOSmart five institutes (ISIT, IPMS, IMS, IWU, IAIS) are jointly researching particularly energy-efficient and intelligent sensors for the next generation of autonomous systems.

Learn more

 

Strategic research field Neuromorphic Computing @ Fraunhofer IPMS

Fraunhofer IPMS develops materials, technologies and complete hardware solutions with high energy efficiency, especially for edge applications.

Learn more

 

MEMION - Memristive redox transistors for neuromorphic computer architectures with Fraunhofer IPMS

The development goal in the MEMION project is energy-efficient transistors with multi-stage switching behavior that can be used in neuromorphic computing networks.

Learn more

 

StorAIge - New storage technology for edge AI applications with Fraunhofer IPMS

The project targets chips with very efficient memories and high computing power to reach 10 tops per watt. To make this possible, Fraunhofer IPMS is relying on ferroelectric field-effect transistors (FeFETs). 

Learn more

 

Thinking chips: New materials and hardware for next generation computing @ Fraunhofer IPMS

Increasing digitalization is constantly driving up the demands on electronic hardware. Neuromorphic computing, which aims to emulate the self-organizing and self-learning nature of the brain, offers a promising solution.

Learn more

 

Materials for micro- and nanoelectronics - Neuromorphic devices @ Leibniz IHP

In this research program, new materials for micro- and nanoelectronics are investigated. Promising approaches in materials science for future devices in microelectronics are identified in the three working groups of the research program.

Learn more

 

Neuromorphic on-chip recognition of saliva samples @ Leibniz IHP

The research team led by Prof. Dr. Christian Wenger at Leibniz IHP is working on a novel early warning system for the early identification of lung diseases, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Learn more

 

Process development @ Leibniz IHP

New research fields like neuromorphic computing based on fully integrated memrestive cells or epitaxially modified substrates for quantum technologies are investigated within this competence area.

Learn more

 

New Collaborative Research Center (CRC) on Artificial Intelligence to start in 2021 with Leibniz IHP

The aim of the new Collaborative Research Center is to transfer knowledge about the information paths in nervous systems to technical information processing in order to improve pattern and speech recognition or the energy efficiency of existing systems.

Learn more

 

Leibniz IHP offers access to memristive technology for edge AI computing or hardware artificial neural networks applications

By providing the MEMRES module the IHP gives circuit designers around the world the opportunity to create neuromorphic circuits with integrated memristive technologies in the near future. 

Learn more

 

Neutronics @ Leibniz IHP

The aim of the DFG's new Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) is to transfer findings about the information pathways in nervous systems to technical information processing in order to improve pattern and speech recognition or the energy efficiency of existing systems.

Learn more

 

Adaptive materials, including the development of memristive arrays for edge computing and neuromorphic circuits @ Leibniz IHP

The research area of ​​plasmonics deals with the properties of electromagnetic near fields in CMOS-compatible nanostructures, which are able to locally increase electromagnetic fields and thus open up a broad field of application.

Learn more