A floating-gate analog memory device for neural networks

A floating-gate MOSFET device that can be used as a precision analog memory for neural network LSIs is described. This device has two floating gates. One is a charge-injection gate with a Fowler-Nordheim tunnel junction, and the other is a charge-storage gate that operates as a MOSFET floating gate. The gates are connected by high resistance, and the charge-injection gate is small so that its capacitance is much less than that of the charge-storage gate. By applying control pulses to the charge-injection gate, it is possible to charge and discharge the MOSFET floating gate in order to modify the MOSFET current with high resolution over 10 b. The charge injection can be carried out without disturbing the MOSFET output current with high voltage control pulses. This device is useful for on-chip learning in analog neural network LSIs     

Highly reliable a‐IGZO TFTs on a plastic substrate for flexible AMOLED displays

We have successfully reduced threshold voltage shifts of amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O thin‐film transistors (a‐IGZO TFTs) on transparent polyimide films against bias‐temperature stress below 100 mV, which is equivalent to those on glass substrates. This high reliability was achieved by dense IGZO thin films and annealing temperature below 300 °C. We have reduced bulk defects of IGZO thin films and interface defects between gate insulator and IGZO thin film by optimizing deposition conditions of IGZO thin films and annealing conditions. Furthermore, a 3.0‐in. flexible active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode was demonstrated with the highly reliable a‐IGZO TFT backplane on polyimide film. The polyimide film coating process is compatible with mass‐production lines. We believe that flexible organic light‐emitting diode displays can be mass produced using a‐IGZO TFT backplane on polyimide films.     

Effect of strain rate on compressive behavior of a Pd40Ni40P20 bulk metallic glass

Mechanical deformation of Pd₄₀Ni₄₀P₂₀ was characterized in compression over a wide strain rate range (3.3×10⁻⁵ to 2×10³ s⁻¹) at room temperature. The compression sample fractured with a shear plane inclined 42 degree with respect to the loading axis, in contrast to 56 degree for the case of tension. This suggests the yielding of the material deviates from the classical von Mises yield criterion, but follows the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion. Fracture stress as well as strain was found to decrease with increasing applied strain rate. The compressive stress (1.74 GPa) was also found to be higher than the tensile fracture stress at a quasi-static strain rate. Close examination of the stress–strain curves revealed that localized shear might have occurred at a compressive stress of about 1.4 GPa, much lower than the “apparent” yield stress of 1.74 GPa. However, the stress of 1.4 GPa for shear band initiation is almost the same as the fracture stress measured at a dynamic strain rate of 5×10² s⁻¹. These results suggested that the fracture of a bulk metallic glass is sensitive to the applied loading rate.     

Analysis of electro‐optical properties of polymer‐stabilized OCB and the application to TFT‐LCDs

Abstract— A 9‐in. full‐color polymer‐stabilized OCB TFT‐LCD with stable bend alignment in the absence of an electric field was developed. The condition of the polymer stabilization, the characteristics of UV‐curable monomers, and their influence on the configurations of the polymer network in the cell were studied. Possible models of the configuration were proposed and their relationship to the electro‐optical properties was analyzed using a novel simulation method considering the distribution of anchoring effects from both alignment surfaces and the polymer network. It was suggested that a good performance such as high contrast ratio and fast response could be expected in the polymer network originating from newly developed monomers composed of multifunctional LC acrylates due to a relatively weak‐anchoring effect and presumably its localization near the alignment surfaces. By using the newly developed monomers under the optimized polymer‐stabilizing process, a high contrast ratio of 250:1 and fast response nearly equal to that of a conventional OCB cell were achieved.     

Formation and magnetic properties of γ-Fe2O3particles surface modified with crystallized cobalt-ferrite

Acicular γ-Fe2O3particles were heated at 90°C in alkali solution containing Co²⁺and Fe²⁺with Co²⁺/Fe²⁺ratio of 0.5. The coercivity of resultant particles increased linearly with increasing the Co²⁺content, and the coercivity of 900 Oe was obtained for the particles with Co²⁺content of 7 wt%. The shape of the particles is acicular, and an appreciable variation of morphology by the treatment in alkali solution was not observed. Cobalt-ferrite was expected to crystallize epitaxially on the surface of γ-Fe2O3particles, and the increase of coercivity was attributed to the magnetic anisotropy of the cobalt-ferrite. A variation of coercivity by annealing at 60°C and print-through were small compared with those of the particles in which iron were homogeneously substituted by cobalt ions. Such stability was explained by considering that a very high concentration of cobalt ions exist only on the surface of γ-Fe2O3particles, and the migration of cobalt ions is extremely difficult.     

An analog CMOS central pattern generator for interlimb coordination in quadruped locomotion.

This paper proposes a neuromorphic analog CMOS controller for interlimb coordination in quadruped locomotion. Animal locomotion, such as walking, running, swimming, and flying, is based on periodic rhythmic movements. These rhythmic movements are driven by the biological neural network, called the central pattern generator (CPG). In recent years, many researchers have applied CPG to locomotion controllers in robotics. However, most of these have been developed with digital processors and, thus, have several problems, such as high power consumption. In order to overcome such problems, a CPG controller with analog CMOS circuit is proposed. Since the CMOS transistors in the circuit operate in their subthreshold region and under low supply voltage, the controller can reduce power consumption. Moreover, low-cost production and miniaturization of controllers are expected. We have shown through computer simulation, such circuit has the capability to generate several periodic rhythmic patterns and transitions between their patterns promptly.