• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.755-759
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• 2014

We propose an integrate-and-fire neuron circuit and synaptic devices with the floating body MOSFETs. The synaptic devices consist of a floating body MOSFET to imitate biological synaptic characteristics. The synaptic learning is performed by hole accumulation. The synaptic device has short-term and long-term memory in a single silicon device. I&F neuron circuit emulate the biological neuron characteristics such as integration, threshold triggering, output generation, and refractory period, using floating body MOSFET. The neuron circuit sends feedback signal to the synaptic transistor for long-term memory.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.590-596
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• 2017

We demonstrated a CNT synaptic transistor by integrating 6,6-phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester(PCBM) molecules as charge storage molecules in a polyimide(PI) dielectric layer with carbon nanotubes(CNTs) for the transistor channel. Specifically, we fabricated and compared three different kinds of CNT-based synaptic transistors: a control device with $Al_2O_3/PI$, a single PCBM device with $Al_2O_3/PI:PCBM$(0.1 wt%), and a double PCBM device with $Al_2O_3/PI:PCBM$(0.1 wt%)/PI:PCBM(0.05 wt%). Statistically, essential device parameters such as Off and On currents, On/Off ratio, device yield, and long-term retention stability for the three kinds of transistor devices were extracted and compared. Notably, the double PCBM device exhibited the most excellent memory transistor behavior. Pulse response properties with postsynaptic dynamic current were also evaluated. Among all of the testing devices, double PCBM device consumed such low power for stand-by and its peak current ratio was so large that the postsynaptic current was also reliably and repeatedly generated. Postsynaptic hole currents through the CNT channel can be generated by electrons trapped in the PCBM molecules and last for a relatively short time(~ hundreds of msec). Under one certain testing configuration, the electrons trapped in the PCBM can also be preserved in a nonvolatile manner for a long-term period. Its integrated platform with extremely low stand-by power should pave a promising road toward next-generation neuromorphic systems, which would emulate the brain power of 20 W.

• Ceramist
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.4-18
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• 2018

Lastly, neuromorphic computing chip has been extensively studied as the technology that directly mimics efficient calculation algorithm of human brain, enabling a next-generation intelligent hardware system with high speed and low power consumption. Three-terminal based synaptic transistor has relatively low integration density compared to the two-terminal type memristor, while its power consumption can be realized as being so low and its spike plasticity from synapse can be reliably implemented. Also, the strong electrical interaction between two or more synaptic spikes offers the advantage of more precise control of synaptic weights. In this review paper, the results of synaptic transistor mimicking synaptic behavior of the brain are classified according to the channel material, in order of silicon, organic semiconductor, oxide semiconductor, 1D CNT(carbon nanotube) and 2D van der Waals atomic layer present. At the same time, key technologies related to dielectrics and electrolytes introduced to express hysteresis and plasticity are discussed. In addition, we compared the essential electrical characteristics (EPSC, IPSC, PPF, STM, LTM, and STDP) required to implement synaptic transistors in common and the power consumption required for unit synapse operation. Generally, synaptic devices should be integrated with other peripheral circuits such as neurons. Demonstration of this neuromorphic system level needs the linearity of synapse resistance change, the symmetry between potentiation and depression, and multi-level resistance states. Finally, in order to be used as a practical neuromorphic applications, the long-term stability and reliability of the synapse device have to be essentially secured through the retention and the endurance cycling test related to the long-term memory characteristics.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.657-663
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• 2016

In this work, a novel silicon (Si) based floating body synaptic transistor (SFST) is studied to mimic the transition from short-term memory to long-term one in the biological system. The structure of the proposed SFST is based on an n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) with floating body and charge storage layer which provide the functions of short- and long-term memories, respectively. It has very similar characteristics with those of the biological memory system in the sense that the transition between short- and long-term memories is performed by the repetitive learning. Spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) characteristics are closely investigated for the SFST device. It has been found from the simulation results that the connectivity between pre- and post-synaptic neurons has strong dependence on the relative spike timing among electrical signals. In addition, the neuromorphic system having direct connection between the SFST devices and neuron circuits are designed.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.658-663
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• 2015

In the previous work, we have proposed an integrate-and-fire neuron circuit and synaptic device based on the floating body MOSFET [1-3]. Integrate-and-Fire(I&F) neuron circuit emulates the biological neuron characteristics such as integration, threshold triggering, output generation, refractory period using floating body MOSFET. The synaptic device has short-term and long-term memory in a single silicon device. In this paper, we connect the neuron circuit and the synaptic device using current mirror circuit for summation of post synaptic pulses. We emulate spike-timing-dependent-plasticity (STDP) characteristics of the synapse using feedback voltage without controller or clock. Using memory device in the logic circuit, we can emulate biological synapse and neuron with a small number of devices.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.43-49
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• 2024

In recent years, the flexible organic synaptic transistor (FOST) has garnered attention for its flexibility, biocompatibility, ease of processability, and reduced complexity, which arise from using organic semiconductors as channel layers. These transistors can emulate the plasticity of the human brain with a simpler structure and lower fabrication costs compared to conventional inorganic synaptic devices. This makes them suitable for applications in next-generation wearable devices and soft robotics technologies. In FOST, the organic substrate is sensitive to the device preparation temperature; high-temperature treatment processes can cause thermal deformation of the organic substrate. Therefore, low-temperature solution-based processing techniques are essential for fabricating high-performance devices. This review summarizes the current research status of low-temperature solution-based FOST devices and presents the problems and challenges that need to be addressed.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2017

We designed the CMOS analog integrate and fire (I&F) neuron circuit for driving memristor based on resistive-switching random access memory (RRAM). And we fabricated the RRAM device that have $HfO_2$ switching layer using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The RRAM device has gradual set and reset characteristics. By spice modeling of the synaptic device, we performed circuit simulation of synaptic device and CMOS neuron circuit. The neuron circuit consists of a current mirror for spatial integration, a capacitor for temporal integration, two inverters for pulse generation, a refractory part, and finally a feedback part for learning of the RRAM. We emulated the spike-timing-dependent-plasticity (STDP) characteristic that is performed automatically by pre-synaptic pulse and feedback signal of the neuron circuit. By STDP characteristics, the synaptic weight, conductance of the RRAM, is changed without additional control circuit.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1991.11a
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• pp.189-192
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• 1991

This paper presents a modular structure design of analog Hopfield neural network. Each multiplier consists of four MOS transistors which are connected to an op-amp at the front end of a neuron. A pair of MOS transistor is used in order to maintain linear operation of the synapse and can produce positive or negative synaptic weight. This architecture can be expandable to any size neural network by forming tree structure. By altering the connections, other nework paradigms can also be implemented using this basic modules. The stength of this approach is the expandability and the general applicability. The layout design of a four-neuron fully connected feedback neural network is presented and is simulated using SPICE. The network shows correct retrival of distorted patterns.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 1991.10a
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• pp.1-4
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• 1991

EEPROM technology has been used for storing analog weights as charge in a nitride layer between gate and channel of a field effect transistor. In the view of integrity and fabrication process, it is essentially required that SONOSFET is capable of performing synapse function as a basic element in an artificial neural networks. This work has introduced the VLSI implementation for synapses including current study and also investigated physical characteristics to implement synapse circuit using SONOSFET memories. Simulation results are shown in this work. It is proposed that multiplication of synapse element using SONOSFET memories will be developed more compact implementation under Present fabrication processes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.1-4
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• 1996

EEPROM technology has been used for storing analog weights as charge in a nitride layer between gate and channel of a field effect transistor. In the view of integrity and fabrication process, it is essentially required that SONOSFET is capable of performing synapse function as a basic element in an artificial neural networks. This work has introduced the VLSI implementation for synapses including current study and also investigated physical characteristics to implement synapse circuit using SONOSFET memories. Simulation results are shown in this work. It is proposed that multiplication of synapse element using SONOSFET memories will be developed more compact implementation under Present fabrication processes.