Adaptive synapse cell providing both excitatory and inhibitory connections in an associative network
US4956564A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1989 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C15/046
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention covers a synapse cell for providing a weighted connection between an input voltage line and an output summing line having an associated capacitance. Connection between input and output lines in the associative network is made using one or more floating-gate transistors which provide both excitatory as well as inhibitory connections. As configured, each transistor's control gate is coupled to an input line and its drain is coupled to an output summing line. The floating-gate of the transistor is used for storing a charge which corresponds to the strength or weight of the neural connection. When a binary voltage pulse having a certain duration is applied to the control gate of the floating-gate transistor, a current is generated which acts to discharge the capacitance associated with the output summing line. The current, and therefore the resulting discharge, is directly proportional to the charge stored on the floating-gate member and the duration of the input pulse.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.