Embedded Memory Design

Content Addressable Memory Implementation Using Gain-Cell Embedded DRAM

Description: Content-addressable memory (CAM) is a high-speed search engine that performs fully-parallel comparisons between input search data and a table of storage data in a single clock cycle. CAM has been widely used in applications requiring fast search operation including network routers, neural networks and image processing. However, the high search speed of CAM comes at the cost of large area and high power consumption. CAMs are usually implemented using Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) – based bitcells which require between 12-16 transistors per memory cell. Gain-Cell Embedded DRAM (GC-eDRAM) is a popular logic-compatible alternative to SRAM, offering up-to 2X higher density, two-ported operation and low power consumption. However, GC-eDRAM requires periodic refresh cycles to retain its data, which is set according to the worst-case data retention time under process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations.

In this project, we will analyze and design different GC-eDRAM – based structures for the implementation of CAMs. The designed memory cells will be compared to state-of-the-art CAM implementations in terms of area, power, and speed.

Areas: Circuit Design, Cadence Virtuoso

Supervisor: Robert Giterman, Christoph Thomas Muller

Data added: 07.06.2019

Efficient Neural Networks Accelerators Using Error-Tolerant Embedded DRAMs (2 Semester Projects / 1 Master Project)

Description: The growing size of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) requires large amounts of on-chip storage. The limited on-chip memory capacity often causes massive off-chip memory accesses and leads to very high system energy consumption. On-chip memories are usually implemented with Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), which often consume over 50% of the total chip area due to their inefficient size, and dominates system power due to its limited voltage scaling capabilitits. Gain-Cell Embedded DRAM (GC-eDRAM) is a logic-compatible alternative to SRAM, offering up-to 2X higher density, two-ported operation and low power consumption. However, GC-eDRAM requires periodic refresh cycles to retain its data, which is set according to the worst-case data retention time under process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations.

In this project, we will evaluate the benefits of using GC-eDRAM as the on-chip memory for CNNs, including analysis of refresh rate relaxation and its impact on CNNs accuracy, power, and bandwidth. The project can focus on two parts of the development stack; first on a Python-based CNN simulator for which an GC-eDRAM behavioral model has to be implemented, second on an FPGA/C-based emulation platform of GC-eDRAM for which a CNN needs to be implemented.

Areas:

Project 1: Python/C

Project 2: FPGA/C

Supervisor: Robert Giterman, Christoph Thomas Muller

Data added: 07.06.2019

Design of a Gain-Cell eDRAM for IoT

Topic:

  • Gain-Cell eDRAMs are much more dense than conventional SRAMs
  • Designing these very sensible circuits is almost an art…

Project Goals:

  • Gain more knowledge about gain-cell eDRAMs
  • Work on design improvements of the bitcell
  • Design a complete gain-cell eDRAM

Areas: full-custom design (Virtuoso)
Supervisor: Andrea Bonetti

Modelling of Embedded DRAMs

Topic:

  • Memory compilers are widely used to investigate/generate memory macros
  • Model to predict performance of an embedded DRAM

Project Goals:

  • Gain more knowledge about the design of a complete memory system
  • Provide support with the simulation environment
  • Improve the mathematical equations behind the model

Areas: full-custom design (Virtuoso), modeling, scripting
Supervisor: Andrea Bonetti

Application of Body-Bias to Gain-Cell Memories in CMOS 28nm FD-SOI

Type: Semester/Master project

Description:
Gain-cell memories are embedded DRAMs (eDRAMs) that are considered as a high-density and low-leakage alternative to SRAMs. However, technology scaling is reducing the retention capability of gain cells, leading to frequent refresh operations that limit the memory accessibility. For this reason, alternative circuit techniques are required to improve their performance. Among these, body-biasing is one the best candidates due to its ability of changing the threshold voltage of the transistors at runtime. This effect results in either reducing the leakage currents affecting the memory retention time or accelerating the memory access time. The goal of this project is to evaluate the benefits of body-bias in CMOS 28nm FD-SOI when applied to gain-cell memories. The tasks are the following:
  • Design and simulation of a gain-cell memory to familiarize with the circuit
  • Investigation on the performance of the gain cell with different body-bias settings
  • Evaluating the design benefits and limitations of body-bias for an entire gain-cell array
  • Design and validation of a gain-cell array with body-bias
Work distribution: 10% literature review, 20% bitcell circuit design and layout, 20% body-bias investigation, 30% memory array design, 20% validation and simulations
Areas: eDRAM, digital circuit design, body-biasing, circuit simulation
Supervisor: Andrea Bonetti

Emulating an Embedded DRAM on FPGA

Topic:

  • eDRAMs require to be periodically refreshed to keep the stored data
  • The requirement on the refresh rate largely varies within the bitcells
  • Analyzing this behavior with simulations is unpractical

Project Goal: emulate the behaviour of an embedded DRAM on FPGA

  • Gain basic knowledge on the data retention time in eDRAMs
  • Design a VHDL representation of the eDRAM
  • Analyze the behavior/impact of the memory within an application

Areas: FPGA, VHDL
Supervisor: Andrea Bonetti