Patent Publication Number: US-2017364791-A1

Title: Arithmetic apparatus for a neural network

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-121918, filed Jun. 20, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Field 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to an arithmetic apparatus used for a neural network and a neural network having the arithmetic apparatus. 
     Background 
     Recently, research related to Deep Learning is extensive. To implement Deep Learning, a multilayer neural network that carries out high-level analysis is built. Also, it is considered to perform a process of Deep Learning using hardware. Research into reducing the number of bits of data for a high speed calculation and low power consumption has been extensively performed, and achievements relating thereto have begun to be realized. However, since a device such as a CPU, a GPU, and a DSP widely used for performing the process of Deep Learning is optimized for single precision floating point arithmetic of 32 bits, the advantage of high speed calculation and low power consumption obtained by reducing the number of bits of data is limited in such a device. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a neural network according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an arithmetic apparatus in the neural network. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a basic unit of the arithmetic apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram of a delay circuit in the basic unit. 
         FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram of a switching circuit in the basic unit. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are circuit diagrams of an input circuit in the neural network. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are timing charts of input and output signals during an operation of the basic unit. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are timing charts of input and output signals during the operation of the basic unit. 
         FIG. 9  is a circuit diagram of a delay circuit in the basic unit. 
         FIG. 10  is a circuit diagram of a delay circuit in the basic unit. 
         FIG. 11  is a circuit diagram of a delay circuit in the basic unit. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of an arithmetic apparatus according to a modification example of the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment provides an arithmetic apparatus capable of performing a process of Deep Learning at a high speed and low power consumption. 
     According to an embodiment, an arithmetic apparatus used for a neural network includes a plurality of digital-time conversion circuits connected in series and a time-digital conversion circuit connected to a last digital-time conversion circuit in the series. Each of the digital-time conversion circuits is configured to delay a first input time signal by a variable amount, delay a second input time signal by a fixed amount, and output the delayed first and second input time signals respectively as either first and second output time signals or second and first output time signals, in accordance with the input data. The time-digital conversion circuit is configured to generate a digital output signal by comparing first and second output time signals from the last digital-time conversion circuit. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the diagrams. The exemplary embodiment is not limited to the embodiments. 
     First Embodiment 
     In a first embodiment, it is assumed that an arithmetic apparatus is used in a neural network.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the neural network. A neural network  100  includes an input layer  1 , one or more hidden layers  2 , and an output layer  3 . The hidden layers  2  and the output layer  3  are collectively referred to as an arithmetic layer.  FIG. 1  illustrates an example of the neural network including two-layered hidden layers  2   a  and  2   b.  The hidden layer  2   a  is a first-stage hidden layer. In addition, the hidden layer  2   b  is a hidden layer subsequent to the hidden layer  2   a  of the previous stage or a hidden layer of a final stage. 
     The input layer  1  includes m input units I 1  to Im corresponding to m input data A 1  to Am, respectively. k-th input data Ak is input to the input unit Ik. 
     The hidden layer  2   a  includes p (p is an arbitrary integer) arithmetic apparatuses P 11  to P 1   p.  The operation of each of arithmetic apparatuses P 11  to P 1   p  is the same. Hereinafter, the k-th arithmetic apparatus P 1   k  will be described. The m input data A 1  to Am are input from the input layer  1  to the arithmetic apparatus P 1   k.  Then, the arithmetic apparatus P 1   k  performs a predetermined arithmetic operation with respect to the input data A 1  to Am and weights Fk 1  to Fkm respectively corresponding thereto, and generates a digital value Bk. The digital value Bk becomes input data of the hidden layer  2   b  of a next stage. The digital value Bk may be one bit, or may be a plurality of bits. 
     The hidden layer  2   b  includes q (q is an arbitrary integer) arithmetic apparatuses P 21  to P 2   q.  The operation of each of arithmetic apparatuses P 21  to P 2   q  is the same. Hereinafter, the k-th arithmetic apparatus P 2   k  will be described. P digital values B 1  to Bp are input from the hidden layer  2   a  to the arithmetic apparatus P 2   k.  Then, the arithmetic apparatus P 2   k  performs a predetermined arithmetic operation with respect to the digital values B 1  to Bp and weights Gk 1  to Gkp respectively corresponding thereto, and generates a digital value Ck. The digital value Ck becomes input data of the output layer  3 . The digital value Ck may be one bit, or may be a plurality of bits. 
     For example, the output layer  3  includes ten arithmetic apparatuses P 30  to P 39 . The arithmetic apparatuses as much as the number of recognition results are provided in the output layer  3 . An operation of each of the arithmetic apparatuses P 30  to P 39  is the same. Hereinafter, the k-th arithmetic apparatus P 3   k  will be described. q digital values C 1  to Cq are input from the hidden layer  2   b  to the arithmetic apparatus P 3   k.  Then, the arithmetic apparatus P 3   k  performs a predetermined arithmetic operation with respect to the digital values C 1  to Cq and weights Hk 1  to Hkq, respectively, corresponding thereto, and generates a digital value Dk. For example, k which provides the maximum Dk becomes the recognition result. 
     The weights Fk 1  to Fkm, Gk 1  to Gkp, and Hk 1  to Hkq are important parameters in the neural network  100 , and the weights are appropriately set such that it is possible to accurately analyze the input data. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the neural network  100  including the two-layered hidden layers is exemplified. However, the hidden layer may be only one layer, or one or more hidden layers  2  may be provided between the hidden layers  2   a  and  2   b.  Typically, as the number of hidden layers increases, accuracy of recognition is improved further. 
     Subsequently, an operation of each arithmetic apparatus P will be described. In the neural network, each arithmetic apparatus P in the hidden layer  2  and the output layer  3  performs substantially the same arithmetic operation.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the arithmetic apparatus P. The arithmetic apparatus P includes n basic units  21  to  2   n  that are connected in a cascade manner and a flip-flop circuit  4  as a time-digital conversion circuit. The arithmetic apparatus P of the present embodiment performs an arithmetic operation indicated in the following Equation (1). 
         y=σ (Σ n   i=1   w   i   x   i )   (1)
 
     Σmeans total sum of i=1 to n. wi means a weight, and xi means input data. Input data x (x [ 1 ] to x [n]) of one bit are input from the input circuit  5  to the basic units  21  to  2   n,  respectively. The arithmetic apparatus P computes Σwixi by n basic units, and performs an arithmetic operation of y =σ ( ) by the flip-flop circuit  4 . 
     Each of the basic units  21  to  2   n  is a digital-time conversion circuit, and configurations thereof are the same. Hereinafter, an i-th (i=1 to n) basic unit  2   i  will be described.  FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the basic unit  2   i.  Input data xi is input to the basic unit  2   i,  and a predetermined weight wi is set to the basic unit  2   i,  in particular, a delay circuit  2   i   1  thereof. In addition, first and second input time signals Ta [i−1] and Tb [i−1] are input to the basic unit  2   i,  and the basic unit  2   i  generates first and second output time signals Ta [i] and Tb [i]. The first and second input time signals Ta [i−1] and Tb [i−1] are the first and second output time signals in a basic unit  2   i −1 of a previous stage. 
     The first and second input time signals Ta [ 0 ] and Tb [ 0 ] that are reference time signals are input to the basic unit  21 . Reference time signals Ta [ 0 ] and Tb [ 0 ] are signals of which voltage value transitions at a certain reference time. 
     The basic unit  2   i  includes the delay circuit  2   i   1  and a switching circuit  2   i   2 . The first and second input time signals Ta [i−1] and Tb [i−1] are input to the delay circuit  2   i   1 . The delay circuit  2   i   1  delays any one or both of the first and second input time signals Ta [i−1] and Tb [i−1] so as to change time difference of both as much as a time in accordance with the weight wi. For simple description, here, it is assumed that a first delay time signal of Ta [i−1]+wi is generated by delaying only the first input time signal Ta [i−1]. 
       FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram of the delay circuit  2   i   1 . The delay circuit  2   i   1  includes a first signal line to which a signal A 1  is input and outputs a signal A 2 , and a second signal line to which a signal B 1  is input and outputs a signal B 2 . Also, and a delay element including two inverters is provided on each signal line. The first signal line includes pMOS transistors QA 11  and QA 13 , and nMOS transistors QA 12  and QA 14 . In addition, a variable resistance element RA 1  is provided between a source terminal and a ground terminal of the nMOS transistor QA 12 . A resistance value of the variable resistance element RA 1  is set to delay a period of time corresponding to the weight wi. The second signal line includes pMOS transistors QB 11  and QB 13  and nMOS transistors QB 12  and QB 14 . In addition, a resistance element RB 1  is provided between a source terminal and a ground terminal of the nMOS transistor QB 12 . A resistance element maybe provided between a source terminal and a power source terminal or a ground terminal of each transistor. 
     A time signal output from the delay circuit  2   i   1  is input to the switching circuit  2   i   2 , and the switching circuit  2   i   2  performs switching in an output signal line based on the input data xi. That is, the switching circuit  2   i   2  outputs the first delay time signal Ta [i−1]+wi as a first output time signal Ta [i], and outputs a second input time signal Tb [i−1] as a second output time signal Tb [i]. Alternatively, the switching circuit  2   i   2  outputs a first delay time signal Ta [i −1]+wi as the second output time signal Tb [i], and outputs the second input time signal Tb [i−1] as the first output time signal Ta [i]. The second input time signal Tb [i−1] is also a second delay time signal. 
       FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram of the switching circuit  2   i   2 . The switching circuit  2   i   2  includes a switching element including the MOS transistor. The switching circuit  2   i   2  includes a first input signal line to which the signal A 2  is input, a second input signal line to which the signal B 2  is input, a first output signal line that outputs a signal A 3 , a second output signal line that outputs a signal B 3 , nMOS transistors QA 21  and QA 24 , and pMOS transistors QA 22  and QA 23 . The signal A 2  is the first delay time signal Ta [i−1]+wi, and the signal B 2  is the second input time signal Tb [i−1]. The signal A 3  is the first output time signal Ta [i], and the signal B 3  is the second output time signal Tb [i]. 
     A source-drain terminal of an nMOS transistor is connected between the first input signal line and the first output signal line. A source-drain terminal of a pMOS transistor QA 21  is connected between the first input signal line and the second output signal line. A source-drain terminal of a pMOS transistor QA 23  is connected between the second input signal line and the first output signal line. A source-drain terminal of an nMOS transistor QA 24  is connected between the second input signal line and the first output signal line. The input data of one bit is input to a gate terminal of each MOS transistor. 
     The output time signal of a basic unit  2   n  of the final stage is input to a flip-flop  4 . The flip-flop  4  obtains a first output time signal Ta [n] and sets as an output signal y, at a timing at which a second output time signal Tb [n] transitions. The output signal y is a digital value of 1 or 0. Subsequently, a specific operation in the arithmetic apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. Here, as the specific arithmetic operation, a case where each of data is one bit in y=σ (Σwixi) will be described. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
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     That is, the wi and xi are values of −1 or +1. In addition, σ (x) becomes −1 when x is smaller than 0, and σ (x) becomes +1 when x is equal to or greater than 0. Since the wi is specifically expressed as the delay time, it is possible to be processed as a value other than −1 or +1, and it is also possible to process information of a lot of bits. 
     The first and second input time signals Ta [i−1] and Tb [i−1] are input to the basic unit  2   i.  Specifically, a first input time signal Ta [i−1] is input to the first signal line of the delay circuit, and the second input time signal Tb [i−1] is input to the second signal line. Since there is the variable resistance element corresponding to the weights wi on the first signal line, the first input time signal Ta [i−1] becomes Ta [i−1]+wi such that the first input time signal Ta [i−1] +wi is output to the first input signal line of the switching circuit  2   i   2 . A first input time signal Tb [i−1] is output to the second input signal line, without causing the delay. A time signal τ [i] is defined as τ [i]=Tb [i]−Ta [i]. 
     The switching circuit  2   i   2  switches output destinations of time signals Ta [i] and Tb [i], based on the input data xi. This means that an arithmetic operation corresponding to an input time signal τ [i]×xi is performed with respect to the input time signal τ [i]. When the xi is +1, the nMOS transistors QA 21  and QA 24  are turned on, and the pMOS transistors QA 22  and QA 23  are turned off. As a result, the first input signal line is connected to the first output signal line, and the second input signal line is connected to the second output signal line. This means that an arithmetic operation corresponding to the input time signal τ [i]×(+1) is performed with respect to the input time signal τ [i]. Meanwhile, when the xi is −1, the nMOS transistors QA 21  and QA 24  are turned off, and the pMOS transistors QA 22  and QA 23  are turned on. As a result, the first input signal line is connected to the second output signal line, and the second input signal line is connected to the first output signal line. This means that an arithmetic operation corresponding to the input time signal τ [i]×(−1) is performed with respect to the input time signal τ [i]. 
     That is, in the basic unit, an arithmetic operation illustrated in the following Equation (3) is performed. 
       τ[ i ]=(τ[ i +1 ]+w   i )× x   i   (3)
 
     However, in the Equation (3), it does not mean that the same arithmetic operation as Σwixi is performed. In order to perform the arithmetic operation of Σwixi in the n basic units, conversion of input data is performed in the input circuit  5 . 
     The conversion of the input data is performed by using the following Equation (4). 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
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     In such a manner, an arithmetic operation corresponding to Σwixi is performed in the n basic units. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are circuit diagrams of the input circuit  5 . The input circuit  5  converts the n-bit input data x [1:n] into n-bit input data x′ [1:n]. The input circuit  5  in  FIG. 6A  includes n XOR circuits  51  to  5   n.  The XOR circuit  51  generates the input data x′ [1] according to an XOR operation of the data x [1] and x [2]. That is, an i-th XOR circuit  5   i  generates the input data x′ [i], and outputs the generated input data x′ [i] to the switching circuit of the basic unit  2   i  according to the XOR operation of data x [i] and x [i+1]. An arithmetic operation of the data x [n] and 0 is performed in the XOR circuit  5   n  that generates x′ [n] corresponding to the least significant bit. As illustrated in  FIG. 6B , when 0 and x [n] are input to the XOR circuit, since an output x′ [n] is equal to the x [n], the x [n] may be directly used as the x′ [n], without using the XOR circuit  5   n.    
     The first and second output time signals Ta [n] and Tb [n] output from the basic unit  2   n  of the final stage are input to the flip-flop circuit  4 . At a timing at which the second output time signal Tb [n] transitions, the first output time signal Ta[n] is obtained. The obtained first output time signal Ta [n] is output as an output signal y. 
     Subsequently, a specific operation of the basic unit of the present embodiment will be described.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  and  FIGS. 8A and 8B  are timing diagrams for explaining examples of an operation of the basic unit. Waveforms of signals A 1  and B 1  input to a delay circuit  211 , signals A 2  and B 2  input to a switching circuit  212 , and signals A 3  and B 3  output from the switching circuit  212  are illustrated. A horizontal direction represents a time and a vertical direction represents a voltage value. Signals A 1  and B 1  transition at the same timing. Here, when wi  32  +1, a resistance value of the variable resistance element RA 1  is set to be smaller than a resistance value of the resistance element RB 1 . In addition, when wi=−1, the resistance value of the variable resistance element RA 1  is set to be greater than the resistance value of the resistance element RB 1 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are examples where the weight wi is +1. The signal A 2  transitions at a time t 1  that comes after a time period Da passes from a time t 0 . The time period Da is a time period corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistance element RA 1  set according to the weight wi. That is, the signal A 2  is a signal obtained by delaying the signal A 1  by the time period Da. In addition, the signal B 2  transitions at a time t 2  that comes after a time period Db passes from the time t 0 . The time period Db is a time period corresponding to the resistance value (fixed value) of the resistance element RB 1 . That is, the signal B 2  is a signal obtained by delaying the signal B 1  by the time period Db. The signal A 2  transitions faster than the signal B 2 . 
       FIG. 7A  is an example where the input data xi=+1. In the switching circuit  2   i   2 , a first input signal line is connected to the first output signal line, and the second input signal line is connected to the second output signal line. For that reason, the signal A 2  is output as the signal A 3 , and the signal B 2  is output as the signal B 3 . 
       FIG. 7B  is an example where the input data xi=−1. In the switching circuit  212 , the first input signal line is connected to the second output signal line, and the second input signal line is connected to the first output signal line. For that reason, the signal A 2  is output as the signal B 3 , and the signal B 2  is output as the signal A 3 . 
     The signals A 3  and B 3  are input from the basic unit  2   n  of the final stage to the flip-flop circuit  4 . In  FIG. 7A , a value 1 of the signal A 3  is obtained at a time t 3  at which the signal B 3  transitions. Meanwhile, in  FIG. 7B , at a time t 3 ′ at which the signal B 3  transitions, a value 0 of the signal A 3  is obtained. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are examples where the weight wi is −1. The signal A 2  transitions at a time t 4  that comes after a time Da′ passes from the time t 0 . In addition, the signal B 2  transitions at the time t 2  that comes after a time Db passes from the time t 0 . Since the resistance value of the variable resistance element RA 1  is great, a delay time of the signal A 2  is longer than a delay time of the signal B 2 . That is, the signal A 2  transitions slower than the signal B 2 . 
     In  FIG. 8A , the flip-flop circuit  4  obtains a value 0 of the signal A 3  at a time t 3  at which the signal B 3  transitions. Meanwhile, in  FIG. 8B , a value 1 of the signal A 3  is obtained at a time t 3 ″ at which the signal B 3  transitions. 
     By changing a weight, that is, a resistance value, it is possible to change a transition timing of the output signal line. That is, when (wi and xi)=(+1 and +1), the signal A 3  transitions faster than the signal B 3 . Meanwhile, when (wi and xi)=(−1 and +1), the signal A 3  transitions slower than the signal B 3 . In addition, when (wi and xi)=(+1 and −1), the signal A 3  transitions slower than the signal B 3 . Meanwhile, when (wi and xi)=(−1 and −1), the signal A 3  transitions faster than the signal B 3 . 
     As described above, the arithmetic apparatus according to the present embodiment performs an arithmetic operation using time difference between two time signals indicating information at a time at which a voltage value transitions. As a result, it is possible to configure the basic unit by the delay element using the variable resistance element, and a switching element. Therefore, it is possible to simplify a hardware configuration, and it is possible to reduce a circuit mount area. In addition, by using the variable resistance element, it is possible to appropriately set a time according to the weight. 
     In addition, the arithmetic apparatus according to the present embodiment performs a product sum operation with respect to the input data by repeating the delay and switching in a plurality of basic units. As a result, it is possible to realize a high speed and low power consumption in the arithmetic operation. 
       FIG. 9  is a circuit of another example of the delay circuit  2   i   1 . Instead of a variable resistance element RA 1  and a resistance element RB 1 , the delay circuit in  FIG. 9  includes a variable capacitance element CA 1  and a capacitance element CB 1 . A capacitance value of the variable capacitance element CA 1  is set to delay a period of time corresponding to the weight wi. By using the variable capacitance element, it is possible to appropriately set a time according to the weight. 
       FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  are a circuit of other example of the delay circuit  2   i   1 . The delay circuits are arranged in an array form. The capacitance element CB 1  is variable. A line of the delay circuits selects by a word line VW or the input signal. Similarly, the delay circuit of  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  are possible to appropriately set a time according to the weight. 
     The basic unit maybe without the switching circuit. The output signals of the delay circuit are input to the delay circuit of the latter stage regardless of the input data xi. 
     (Modification Example) 
     Next, a modification example of the arithmetic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a modification example of the arithmetic apparatus P. The same reference numerals will be attached to the same components as the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. The arithmetic apparatus P in  FIG. 12  includes n basic units  61  to  6   n  that are connected in a cascade manner and the flip-flop circuit  4 . 
     Each configuration of the basic units  61  to  6   n  is the same as that in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, an i-th basic unit  6   i  will be described. The input data xi is input to a basic unit  6   i  (i is an arbitrary integer) to which a predetermined weight wi is set. In addition, the first and second input time signals Ta [i−1] and Tb [i−1] are input to the basic units  6   i,  and the basic units  6   i  generate the first and second output time signals Ta [i] and Tb [i]. 
     The basic unit  6   i  includes a delay circuit  2   i   1 , the switching circuit  2   i   2 , an XNOR circuit  7   i,  and a storage element  8   i.  The delay circuit  2   i   1  delays any one or both of the first and second input time signals Ta [i−1] and Tb [i−1] as much as a time according to an abs (wi) of which time difference of the both is an absolute value of the weight wi. That is, the delay circuit  2   i   1  includes the variable resistance element for delaying the signals by a time corresponding to the abs (wi). The storage element  8   i  stores a sign (wi) that is a sign of the weight wi. The XNOR circuit  7   i  performs an XNOR operation of the data x [i] and the sign (wi), and outputs the performed arithmetic operation result to the switching circuit  2   i   2 . 
     That is, the basic unit  6   i  computes (τ [i−1]+abs (wi)) ×sign (wi)×xi. The arithmetic apparatus in  FIG. 8  can obtain the same result (y=σ (Σwixi)) as the arithmetic apparatus in  FIG. 2 . 
     In the arithmetic operation using the delay time, an error may occur in the arithmetic operation due to variations of the delay time from manufacture variations of elements. However, in the modification example of the embodiment, since a logical operation using a general-purpose digital circuit for a sign operation is performed, such error would not occur. For that reason, although the circuit mount area increases more than that of the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain a more accurate arithmetic operation result. 
     In addition, also in the modification example, it is possible to achieve the high speed and low power consumption, similarly to the first embodiment. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein maybe made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.