Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Spiking Neural Processor (Always-On Intelligent Sensing with the Spiking Neural Processor)
Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2024-04-30
Innatera aims to bring next-generation AI capabilities directly to every sensor in the world. It does this through brain-inspired microprocessors that enable advanced signal processing and pattern recognition capabilities, within an ultra-narrow power envelope. By enabling intelligent sensing, Innatera’s microprocessors unlock the true potential of sensors in portable and wearable devices that run on small batteries. Emerging application use-cases for sensors tend to be in small consumer devices, which are tremendously constrained in their (1) power dissipation, (2) size, and (3) cost, while under continuous market pressure to introduce new application features. Meeting these often contradictory requirements necessitates more powerful AI models, running on more compact and more energy efficient processing hardware. The EIC Spiking Neural Processor project aims to prototype a radical new architecture for near-sensor processing with a novel analog-mixed signal computing fabric. The project will deliver a silicon prototype that improves application performance, power dissipation, and integration density, while concomitantly realizing disruptive new functional capabilities for sensor systems.
The project’s outcomes will enable sensor systems to intelligently make sense of the data they produce, and eliminate the need to send all captured data into the cloud for processing. This will allow massive energy savings, since over 95% of captured data in common application use-cases actually contains no information of relevance. Applied to the billions of sensors sold every year, the developed technologies hold the potential to achieve CO2 reductions in the millions of tonnes annually.
The project’s outcomes will enable sensor systems to intelligently make sense of the data they produce, and eliminate the need to send all captured data into the cloud for processing. This will allow massive energy savings, since over 95% of captured data in common application use-cases actually contains no information of relevance. Applied to the billions of sensors sold every year, the developed technologies hold the potential to achieve CO2 reductions in the millions of tonnes annually.
In year one of the project, activities focussed on four key topics:
1. Improving the performance of processing architectures for spiking neural network inference across application use-cases
2. Optimizing the computational fabric of the Spiking Neural Processor for power dissipation, robustness, and manufacturability
3. Development of interfaces to targeted sensor systems relevant to beach-head markets
4. Extension of software support targeting the newly developed IP
Year one commenced with an intensive requirements gathering exercise through which the beach-head market and application use-cases were identified, in close consultation with early customers. Application requirements were defined for each targeted sensor, and this was used as guidance for the subsequent design space exploration. Architecture exploration activities began on the four topics listed above, with the intention of identifying an optimal technical solution for implementation. Simulation frameworks were developed and the first proof-of-concept validations for the new IP blocks were realized in year one. Subsequently, hardware implementations were also realized.
In year two, silicon prototyping and characterization will follow, after which the newly developed IP will be available for commercial exploitation.
1. Improving the performance of processing architectures for spiking neural network inference across application use-cases
2. Optimizing the computational fabric of the Spiking Neural Processor for power dissipation, robustness, and manufacturability
3. Development of interfaces to targeted sensor systems relevant to beach-head markets
4. Extension of software support targeting the newly developed IP
Year one commenced with an intensive requirements gathering exercise through which the beach-head market and application use-cases were identified, in close consultation with early customers. Application requirements were defined for each targeted sensor, and this was used as guidance for the subsequent design space exploration. Architecture exploration activities began on the four topics listed above, with the intention of identifying an optimal technical solution for implementation. Simulation frameworks were developed and the first proof-of-concept validations for the new IP blocks were realized in year one. Subsequently, hardware implementations were also realized.
In year two, silicon prototyping and characterization will follow, after which the newly developed IP will be available for commercial exploitation.
The activities of the project resulted in the following key outcomes:
1. Proof of concept validating the new functional concepts targeted within the project. Eventually, this will result in the creation of new IP that will increase the competitiveness of Innatera’s silicon in the processing market.
2. Improvement of performance and manufacturability KPIs of Innatera’s silicon architecture improves positively impacts unit economics for commercial exploitation.
3. Extended software tooling improves access to new functional capabilities to existing users.
4. The targeted applications and functional capabilities enable access to new markets.
5. Four new patent applications protecting key innovations.
6. Commercial validation of the proposed application concepts.
1. Proof of concept validating the new functional concepts targeted within the project. Eventually, this will result in the creation of new IP that will increase the competitiveness of Innatera’s silicon in the processing market.
2. Improvement of performance and manufacturability KPIs of Innatera’s silicon architecture improves positively impacts unit economics for commercial exploitation.
3. Extended software tooling improves access to new functional capabilities to existing users.
4. The targeted applications and functional capabilities enable access to new markets.
5. Four new patent applications protecting key innovations.
6. Commercial validation of the proposed application concepts.