Associative memory oscillator array
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsGeorge I. Bourianoff, Dmitri E. Nikonov
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Abstract
An analog associative memory, which includes an array of coupled voltage or current controlled oscillators, matches patterns based on shifting frequencies away from a center frequency of the oscillators. Test and memorized patterns are programmed into the oscillators by varying the voltage or current that controls the oscillators. Matching patterns result in smaller shifts of frequencies and enable synchronization of oscillators. Non-matching patterns result in larger shifts and preclude synchronization of oscillators. The patterns may each include binary data and the pattern matching may be based on discrete shifts. The patterns may each include grayscale data and the pattern matching may be based on continuously-varied shifts. Other embodiments are described herein.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- an associative memory, including first and second oscillators coupled to one another and each to couple to at least one memory, to perform operations comprising:
- shifting a frequency of the first oscillator away from its center frequency by a first shift amount based on a difference between portions of first and second patterns;
- and
- shifting a frequency of the second oscillator away from its center frequency by a second shift amount based on an additional difference between additional portions of the first and second patterns;
- wherein the first and second oscillators synchronize phases with each other based on the first and second shift amounts.
A method comprising:
- shifting a frequency of a first oscillator away from its center frequency by a first shift amount based on a difference between portions of first and second patterns;
- and
- shifting a frequency of a second oscillator away from its center frequency by a second shift amount based on an additional difference between additional portions of the first and second patterns;
- and
- wherein (a) the first and second oscillators are coupled to one another and are included in an associative memory, and (b) the first and second oscillators synchronize phases with each other based on the first and second shift amounts.
An apparatus comprising:
- an associative memory, including an array of oscillators each coupled to one another and each to couple to at least one memory, to perform operations comprising:
- determining differences between portions of first and second patterns;
- and
- adjusting frequencies of the oscillators, based on the differences, by shift amounts;
- wherein the oscillators synchronize phases with each other based on the shift amounts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.