Electrochemical synapses for artificial neural networks
AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company
InventorsJohn McHardy, Carl W. Townsend, Lin R. Higley, Frank A. Ludwig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrochemical synapse adapted for use in a neural network which includes an input terminal and an output terminal located at a distance of less than 100 microns from the input terminal. A permanent interconnect having controllable conductivity is located between the two inputs. The conductivity of the permanent interconnect is controlled by either growing or eliminating metallic whiskers between the inputs. The growth and elimination of whiskers provides a rapid and controllable electrochemical synapse. Partial neural network systems are disclosed utilizing the electrochemical synapse.
Claims22
An electrochemically regulated interconnection adapted for use in a neural network, said interconnection comprising:
- an input terminal;
- an output terminal located at a distance of less than 100 microns from said input terminal;
- a permanent interconnect between said input and output terminals, said permanent interconnect having a pH, a conductivity and comprising a migratable metal which forms whiskers along said permanent interconnect;
- and
- conductivity control means for regulating the conductivity of said permanent interconnect, said conductivity control means comprising means for increasing or decreasing the pH of said permanent interconnect thereby reversibly controlling the growth of said metallic whiskers.
A method for operating an electrochemical interconnection for use in a neural network wherein said electrochemical interconnection includes a permanent interconnect between an input terminal and an output terminal, said permanent interconnect having a pH, conductivity and comprising a migratable metal which forms whiskers along said permanent interconnect, said method comprising the step of controllably increasing or decreasing the conductivity of said permanent interconnect by increasing or decreasing the pH of said permanent interconnect to thereby control growth of said metallic whiskers between said input terminal and said output terminal.
An electrochemically regulated interconnection adapted for use in a neural network, said interconnection comprising:
- an input terminal;
- an output terminal located at a distance of less than 100 microns from said input terminal wherein one of said input or output terminals comprises a non-migratable metal and the other of said input or output terminals comprises a migratable metal;
- a permanent interconnect between said input and output terminals, said interconnect having a conductivity and a pH;
- conductivity control means for regulating the conductivity of said interconnect by increasing or decreasing the pH of said interconnect;
- and
- means for applying a DC voltage across said permanent interconnect, said conductivity control means comprising means for increasing or decreasing the DC voltage applied across said permanent interconnect.
A method for operating an electrochemical interconnection for use in a neural network wherein said electrochemical interconnection includes a permanent interconnect between an input terminal and an output terminal wherein one of said input or output terminals comprises a non-migratable metal and the other of said input or output terminals comprises a migratable metal and wherein said permanent interconnect has a pH and a conductivity, said method comprising the step of controllably increasing or decreasing the conductivity of said permanent interconnect by increasing or decreasing the pH of said permanent interconnect, said increase or decrease in said conductivity being achieved by varying the DC voltage applied across said interconnect.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.