Fault-Tolerant Techniques and Nanoelectronic Devices Andy Hill CH E

Abstract Proposed nanocomputers offer faster, more powerful computing Proposed nanocomputers offer faster, more powerful computing Problems expected Problems expected –High manufacturing defect rate –Transient errors Two possible solutions Two possible solutions –Increase manufacturing efficiency –Increase device’s capacity for defects

Abstract (cont’d) Most nanoelectronic device research today is devoted to reducing the size of devices Most nanoelectronic device research today is devoted to reducing the size of devices Fault-tolerant technique research shows that the reconfiguration method is: Fault-tolerant technique research shows that the reconfiguration method is: –Can handle the highest defect rate –Cannot handle the current defect rate –May be impractical

Introduction First computer invented had one function – to solve linear equations First computer invented had one function – to solve linear equations Always a push to be faster, more powerful Always a push to be faster, more powerful Other technologies would aid tremendously from more powerful computers Other technologies would aid tremendously from more powerful computers –Military –Artificial Intelligence –Medical / Biological

Literature Review Fault-tolerant techniques have been studied for over half a century Fault-tolerant techniques have been studied for over half a century Research focused on application of technique Research focused on application of technique Current research focused on techniques for chips with devices in 1 square cm Current research focused on techniques for chips with devices in 1 square cm

Lit Review (cont’d) Nanoelectronic device research mainly focused on producing molecular scale devices Nanoelectronic device research mainly focused on producing molecular scale devices Limited research on the production of those devices Limited research on the production of those devices

Theoretical Background Main fault-tolerant techniques Main fault-tolerant techniques –Redundancy (RMR, CTMR) –NAND multiplexing –Reconfiguration

Redundancy R-fold (RMR) redundancy (left) is a function of cascaded triple (CTMR) redundancy (right) R-fold (RMR) redundancy (left) is a function of cascaded triple (CTMR) redundancy (right) [1]

Multiplexing / Reconfig NAND multiplexing NAND multiplexing –Complex system utilizing majority gates and NAND logic –Adaptive to decreasing manufacturing effficiency Reconfiguration Reconfiguration –Units not working are detected –Cluster reconfigured accordingly

Current Research Research comparing techniques shows reconfiguration can adapt to highest defect rates, but may be impractical Research comparing techniques shows reconfiguration can adapt to highest defect rates, but may be impractical [1]

Current research (cont’d) Nanoelectronic devices being researched are 100 to 1000 times smaller than current devices Nanoelectronic devices being researched are 100 to 1000 times smaller than current devices [2]

Future Directions Continue research of techniques specific to nano-scaled devices Continue research of techniques specific to nano-scaled devices –Determine practicality of reconfiguration Continue research developing nanoelectronic devices Continue research developing nanoelectronic devices Research the efficiency of mass producing devices Research the efficiency of mass producing devices

References [1] - K Nikolic, A Sadek and M Forshaw 2002 Fault-tolerant techniques for nanocomputers Nanotechnology [2] - Goldhaber-Gordon D. et al Overview of Nanoelectronic Devices Proceedings of the IEEE 85 (4)