In the contemporary data-driven world, the quantum of data processed and transmitted globally every day is staggering. However, the energy requisites for such processes are significant, propelling the necessity for energy-efficient gadgetry. Recently, researchers led by Dharmendra S. Modha have unfolded a chip architecture, dubbed NorthPole, inspired by neural functionalities, showcasing superior performance, energy efficiency, and area efficiency in comparison to extant architectures. This revelation was published in the Science Magazine on October 19, 2023, marking a significant stride towards more efficient computational hardware.
NorthPole: Bridging Memory and Compute
Traditionally, computing has been processor-centric, maintaining a distinction between memory and computation. The NorthPole architecture endeavors to obliterate this boundary by eliminating off-chip memory, melding computation with on-chip memory, thus presenting…
