Resistive memory device for matrix-vector multiplications

A method for performing a matrix-vector multiplication of a matrix with a vector, the method comprising providing

• a crossbar array comprising
• a plurality of row lines;
• a plurality of column lines;
• a plurality of junctions arranged between the plurality of row lines and the plurality of column lines, wherein each junction comprises a programmable resistive element and an access element for accessing the programmable resistive element;
• applying, by a signal generator, programming signals to the resistive elements, thereby programming conductance values for the matrix-vector multiplication;
• applying, by a readout circuit, simultaneously positive read voltages having a positive voltage sign and negative read voltages having a negative voltage sign to the row lines of the crossbar array;
• reading out, by the readout circuit, column currents of the plurality of column lines of the crossbar array, the column currents having a positive current sign corresponding to a positive current direction or a negative current sign corresponding to a negative current direction;
• and
• performing, by the readout circuit, a bidirectional charge counting of the current of the column lines in dependence on the sign of the column currents.

A design structure tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, the design structure comprising a device for performing a matrix-vector multiplication of a matrix with a vector, the device comprising:

• a crossbar array comprising
• a plurality of row lines;
• a plurality of column lines;
• a plurality of junctions arranged between the plurality of row lines and the plurality of column lines, wherein each junction comprises a programmable resistive element and an access element for accessing the programmable resistive element;
• a signal generator configured to
• apply programming signals to the resistive elements to program conductance values for the matrix-vector multiplication;
• a readout circuit;
• and
• control circuitry configured to control the signal generator and the readout circuit;
• wherein the readout circuit is configured to
• apply positive read voltages having a positive voltage sign and negative read voltages having a negative voltage sign to the plurality of row lines of the crossbar array;
• read out column currents of the plurality of column lines of the crossbar array, the column currents having a positive current sign corresponding to a positive current direction or a negative current sign corresponding to a negative current direction;
• and
• perform a bidirectional charge counting of the column currents in dependence on the current direction of the column currents.