SELF-ORGANIZED CRITICAL CMOS CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR COMPUTATION AND INFORMATION PROCESSING

摘要

A circuit that makes use of chaos or self-organized criticality to generate a matrix of bits for computation and information processing. The example embodiment utilizes CMOS circuitry and can solve optimization problems. A plurality of unit cells includes multiple transistors in a lattice formation that set voltages as state variables to other transistor cells. Adjustable bifurcation parameters are utilized to bring the chaotic circuit in and out of the chaotic regime. A processing unit with software are utilized for implanting a problem of interest into the chaotic circuit, while data latches or analog to digital converters provide for reading out the voltages from the chaotic circuit.

主权项

1. An apparatus for solving optimization problems, comprising:
(a) a circuit lattice having a plurality of unit cells interconnected by a matrix of transmission gates; (b) wherein each unit cell is configured for setting a voltage as a state variable in the circuit lattice for each unit cell position; and (c) wherein the transmissive mode of each transmission gate is configured for being set in response to receiving a control signal to establish the transmissive mode of said transmission gate; (d) a controller configured for outputting bifurcation control signals to change operating characteristics of at least a portion of the unit cells, and for outputting coupling strength control signals for changing transmission characteristics of said transmission gates when implanting an objective function in said circuit lattice; and (e) a voltage registration circuit configured for registering state variable voltages in said circuit matrix and outputting these state variable voltages as digital signals to said controller; (f) wherein said controller is configured for implanting a problem of interest into the circuit matrix, and for controlling bifurcation to drive said matrix circuit between chaos, self-organized critical, or Markovian regimes by modifying bifurcation parameters, until a desired solution is obtained.