Work-in-Progress: A Universal Instrumentation Platform for Non-Volatile Memories

TL;DR

This paper introduces the NeuroBreakoutBoard, a versatile platform for interfacing and performing computing-in-memory operations on emerging non-volatile memories, addressing limitations of previous platforms.

Contribution

The paper presents the design and preliminary results of the NeuroBreakoutBoard, a flexible instrumentation platform capable of executing CIM on NVMs, with demonstrated accuracy and memristive switching behavior.

Findings

Relative error < 5% in resistance measurements from 1 kΩ to 1 MΩ

Successful demonstration of memristive cell switching behavior

Enhanced flexibility over existing instrumentation platforms

Abstract

Emerging non-volatile memories (NVMs) represent a disruptive technology that allows a paradigm shift from the conventional von Neumann architecture towards more efficient computing-in-memory (CIM) architectures. Several instrumentation platforms have been proposed to interface NVMs allowing the characterization of single cells and crossbar structures. However, these platforms suffer from low flexibility and are not capable of performing CIM operations on NVMs. Therefore, we recently designed and built the NeuroBreakoutBoard, a highly versatile instrumentation platform capable of executing CIM on NVMs. We present our preliminary results demonstrating a relative error < 5% in the range of 1 k$\Omega$ to 1 M$\Omega$ and showcase the switching behavior of a HfO$_2$/Ti-based memristive cell.