Patent ID: 10790016

Abstract:
Neuron circuit structures are presented which employ magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) elements that change state probabilistically in response to application of electrical source currents that emulate synaptic activity. Some implementations form probabilistic neuron circuits using homogeneous perpendicular spin-transfer torque (STT) MTJ elements. These neuron circuits include a perpendicular STT reference MTJ element coupled via an electrical node with a perpendicular STT neuron MTJ element that can change state. The electrical node for each neuron circuit couples a neuron MTJ element or “perturbation” element to a reference element, and also to an electrical current employed to influence probabilistic magnetization state changes in the perturbation MTJ element. A read current can be applied to the perturbation element to produce an output voltage at the electrical node indicative of a magnetization state of the perturbation element.