One-bit stochastic resonance storage device

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel one-bit memory device based on coupled oscillators that leverages noise to improve storage performance, with experimental validation using Schmitt triggers demonstrating noise-assisted storage efficiency.

Contribution

The paper proposes a new noise-assisted memory device using coupled oscillators and provides both theoretical analysis and experimental validation of its effectiveness.

Findings

Memory persistence time is maximized at optimal noise levels.

The device can reliably store one bit with error probability independent of retrieval timing.

Experimental results confirm noise improves storage efficiency in a hardware prototype.

Abstract

The increasing capacity of modern computers, driven by Moore's Law, is accompanied by smaller noise margins and higher error rates. In this paper we propose a memory device, consisting of a ring of two identical overdamped bistable forward-coupled oscillators, which may serve as a building block in a larger scale solution to this problem. We show that such a system is capable of storing one bit and its performance improves with the addition of noise. The proposed device can be regarded as asynchronous, in the sense that stored information can be retrieved at any time and, after a certain synchronization time, the probability of erroneous retrieval does not depend on the interrogated oscillator. We characterize memory persistence time and show it to be maximized for the same noise range that both minimizes the probability of error and ensures synchronization. We also present experimental results for a hard-wired version of the proposed memory, consisting of a loop of two Schmitt triggers. We show that this device is capable of storing one bit and does so more efficiently in the presence of noise.