Neuro-Inspired Multimodal Transistors for Advanced Analog Computation

Developing the next generation of analog large area electronics (LAE), e.g. display, lab-on-chip, sensors and imaging arrays, will require electronic devices which offer versatile functionality, while enabling compact circuit footprint. The latter being critical for promoting improved yield and reducing manufacturing costs, emissions, etc. The multimodal transistor (MMT) is an intriguing candidate device, which was inspired by autonomous neural motor control circuitry (basal ganglia). The MMT’s unique operation, which separates analog current control from digital switching, allows for extremely compact and advanced circuits, such as multiplying digital-to-analog-conversion (MDAC), activation functions, thermal homeostasis, and simultaneous pulse amplitude and pulse width modulation (PAM+PWM).