A Single Transistor Neuron With Independently Accessed Double-Gate for Excitatory-Inhibitory Function and Tunable Firing Threshold Voltage

Abstract

For the first time, a single transistor neuron (1T-neuron) with an independently accessed double-gate structure is demonstrated for excitatory-inhibitory-function, and control of the firing threshold voltage (VT,firing). The double-gate is composed of a primary gate and a secondary gate. The former is to determine an excitatory and inhibitory state as a toggle switch and the latter is to dynamically adjust VT,firing for homeostasis to sustain reliable neuromorphic operation. In addition to its conventional excitation function, the newly implemented inhibition function improves the energy efficiency of the neuromorphic network. The tunable threshold voltage for firing maintains homeostasis, even for high or low transmitted signals that are out of a desired spiking frequency range.