Survey of Neuromorphic Computing A Data Science Perspective
Survey of Neuromorphic Computing A Data Science Perspective
Science Perspective
Kasey Clark † , Yalong Wu † *
† Department of Computing Sciences
Abstract—Neuromorphic computing utilizes memristors to from volatile memristive options (e.g, modeling short term
mimic biological neurons and processes data in brain-like way. memory). However, the non-volatility option of memristive
Given the intrinsic benefits of non-volatile high-density memory,
bio-compatibility, and energy efficiency of memristors, neuro-
systems is useful for many purposes (e.g., long term memory,
morphic computing has opened many opportunities for various no data-refresh, etc.) [6] [7] [8] [9].
fields of data science. In this paper, we conduct a brief survey of The memristor is electrically a resistive switch where its
neuromorphic computing through the lens of data storage, data resistance state is programmed by applied voltage or current
processing, artificial intelligence, and data security and privacy. [10]. For example, a six-state memristor [11] is programmed
by applying voltage to shift states from 0 through 5. As a
Keywords—Neuromorphic computing, memristor, data science,
artificial intelligence, bio-compatibility direct result of this physical property, a memristor can have
more than the two binary states (low voltage and high voltage,
I. I NTRODUCTION 0 and 1 respectively) that conventional complementary metal
Neuromorphic computing, also referred to as analog com- oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices possess and instead
puting, utilizes memristors (e.g., biomolecular, polymetric, have many states which are determined by its design and
spintronic memristors, etc.) for the purposes of brain-like manufacture. For example, a 128 state memristive device [12]
computation. Memristors are essentially physical artificial expands the amount of possible data capacity significantly as
neurons, which are made from silicon, honey, among other opposed to the classical 2 states of a CMOS device, which
materials [1]. With the inherent advantages of non-volatile is used in modern classical computing systems (defined by
high-density memory, bio-compatibility, and energy efficiency IBM). Due to the pre-stated reasons, an artificial neuromorphic
of memristors, neuromorphic computing supports a diverse computer (i.e., a memristive system) is more compatible than a
array of applications (e.g., imaging, large-scale operations, two-state classical computing device such as a CMOS device
etc.) and has become critical to address the fundamental issues for biological compatibility uses, parallel computations, and
of data storage, data processing, artificial intelligence, and data neuromorphic computations.
security and privacy in data science. Bio-Compatibility. Bio-compatibility refers to the ability of
Non-Volatile High-Density Memory. Non-volatile high- a device to interact with a biological system (e.g., prosthetic
density memory refers to the ability of a device to retain very limb, brain-machine interfaces) [13] [14]. Neuromorphic com-
dense amounts of data in memory without supplying power to puters have been defined as non-Von Neumann machines, and
do so. A memristive system (i.e., neuromorphic computer) is a their structure and functions are inspired by human brains that
collection of memristors and associated hardware necessary to are composed of neurons and synapses (a synapse is a structure
emulate the structure and functions of human brain. A current to permit electrical or chemical signal transmission between
use of memristive systems in modern computing includes the neurons) [15]. For this reason, neuromorphic computing is
resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) for very large- directly benefited by the fact that a memristor is itself an ar-
scale integration (VLSI) circuits [2] [3]. For most computing tificial neuron and synapse. Neurons and synapses themselves
purposes (e.g., data structuring and information management), are memristive [16] [17], and as a result a memristive system
a memristor is to be designed and manufactured as non- can be designed to be directly compatible with biological
volatile, and a non-volatile device (e.g., SSD: solid state drive) systems [14]. For example, the human brain is a biological
does not need power to maintain stored data and so power neuromorphic computer that is itself a memristive system,
will only be needed upon interactions such as reading or and as such an artificial neuromorphic computer can connect
writing data to the device [4]. Thus, the non-volatility of devices (e.g., classical computers, neuromorphic computers,
a memristive system is a major benefit for different neuro- machine prosthetics, etc.) and biological systems directly
morphic computing models (e.g., Morris-Lecar model, Leaky through neural signal analysis (i.e., the analysis of signals from
Integrate-and-Fire model, etc.) [5] and allows for efficient data human brain or nervous system) [14].
storage, data usage, and energy consumption. It is worth noting A memristor-based neural signal analysis system (i.e., neu-
that select neuromorphic computing models may be benefited romorphic computer) shows promise for restoring speech,
motor-function, and brain disorder treatments (e.g., epilipsy,
* Corresponding author: Yalong Wu ([email protected]) Parkinson’s, etc.) [14]. For example, a biomimetic reflex can
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