Pruning random resistive memory for optimizing analog AI.

ABSTRACT: The rapid expansion of AI models has intensified concerns over energy consumption. Analog in-memory computing with resistive memory offers a promising, energy-efficient alternative, yet its practical deployment is hindered by programming challenges and device non-idealities. Here, we propose a software-hardware co-design that trains randomly weighted resistive-memory neural networks via edge-pruning topology optimization. Software-wise, we tailor the network topology to extract high-performing sub-networks without precise weight tuning, enhancing robustness to device variations and reducing programming overhead. Hardware-wise, we harness the intrinsic stochasticity of resistive-memory electroforming to generate large-scale, low-cost random weights. Implemented on a 40 nm resistive memory c

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12858861 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature