Memristives In-Memory-Computing: Radiation hard Memory for Computing in Space (MIMEC)

Electronic circuits used in space have to be radiation-hard. Therefore, it is very attractive to use memristive memory technologies in satellites, e.g. for Internet-of-space applications, since the information carrier in memristive devices is based on ions and not on charges like in other memory technologies like Flash. Ions are much less sensitive to space radiation than electrons. Therefore, non-volatile memories based on ions are well suited for space applications.

Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) technologies, in which electrical switching properties are based on ions instead of electrons, are particularly suitable as radiation-resistant memories. In order to achieve the necessary reliability of the CMOS electronics used in space, it is advisable to save the content of the entire computer system in a secure backup memory.

In-memory operations in the radiation-hard sense amplifiers of an RRAM array are to be transferred to the processing step by signal evaluation and direct integration of memristive RRAM cells. Intensive simulation work is used to check the functionality of the radiation-hard system architecture. In the simulation environment, a new model for memristive components is used to examine the entire radiation-hard system architecture using in-memory computing.

The focus of the project will be on researching new technological and computer-based ideas that will be integrated into the current state of the art. The radiation-hard storage approach with a new non-volatile storage concept, the so-called RRAM, will represent the core of the project work. In order to achieve this goal, a highly innovative technological approach that enables new types of Internet-of-Space applications is being implemented.

Funding

The project is funded within of the DFG priority program “Memristive components for intelligent technical systems”

Project partners

  • University of Bayreuth
  • University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

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