Computing with stochastic processors
Rakesh Kumar · 2010
Moore's Law, the primary driver for the astonishing advances in computing, is being threatened due to manufacturing and environmental variations and the resulting non-determinism in the circuit behavior. The non-determinism is exacerbated by the dynamic voltage and timing variations caused by the unprecedented increase in the power density of the chips and the time and context-dependent variation in temperature and utilization across the chip. The most immediate impact of such non-determinism is on chip yields and manufacturing costs. Recent predictions suggest that unless chip yields improve or manufacturing costs are tamed, process shrinks beyond 18nm may become infeasible. Clearly the status quo cannot continue, and we must find a solution to the non-determinism problem' if the semiconductor industry has to remain a viable driver of technological innovation and capabilities for the future.