IP Library Granted Patent US 12,579,414
Granted Patent B2
US 12,579,414 · App. 17/499,506 · Granted Mar 17, 2026

Artificial neuron

Inventors: Valerian Cincon (Villard Bonnot, FR); Philippe Galy (Le Touvet, FR)
Assignee: STMicroelectronics France
G06N3/063G06N3/049H03K3/356113G06N3/065
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,579,414
App. No.
17/499,506
Granted
Mar 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An artificial neuron includes a first capacitive node of application of a membrane potential of the neuron. A first transistor is configured to discharge the first capacitive node. A second capacitive node is driven according to the membrane potential and delivers a potential for controlling the first transistor. A second transistor is configured to discharge the second capacitive node. The second transistor is controlled according to a potential present at the second capacitive node.

Claims (45)

1 . An electronic circuit of an artificial neuron, comprising:

a first capacitive node of application of a membrane potential of the artificial neuron;

a first transistor for discharging the first capacitive node;

a second capacitive node driven according to the membrane potential and delivering a potential for controlling the first transistor;

a second transistor for discharging the second capacitive node; and

a control circuit configured to activate the second transistor in response to sensing a discharge of the second capacitive node below a threshold;

wherein the second transistor is controlled according to a potential present at the second capacitive node.

2 . The circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit comprises an inverter having an input connected to the second capacitive node and having an output connected to a gate of the second transistor.

3 . The circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the second capacitive node is coupled to the first capacitive node by first and second inverters coupled in series at a fourth node.

4 . The circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a fourth transistor coupled to the first capacitive node and to a fifth node of application of a potential for powering the artificial neuron.

5 . An artificial neural network comprising at least one circuit according to claim 1 .

6 . An electronic circuit of an artificial neuron, comprising:

a first capacitive node of application of a membrane potential of the artificial neuron;

a first transistor for discharging the first capacitive node;

a second capacitive node driven according to the membrane potential and delivering a potential for controlling the first transistor;

a second transistor for discharging the second capacitive node,

wherein the second transistor is controlled according to a potential present at the second capacitive node;

wherein the second capacitive node is coupled to the first capacitive node by first and second inverters coupled in series at a fourth node; and

a third transistor connected between a gate of the second transistor and a third node of application of a reference potential, wherein a gate of the third transistor is coupled by a third inverter to the fourth node.

7 . The circuit according to claim 6 , wherein the second capacitive node is coupled to the first capacitive node by first and second inverters coupled in series at a fourth node.

8 . The circuit according to claim 6 , further comprising a fourth transistor coupled to the first capacitive node and to a fifth node of application of a potential for powering the artificial neuron.

9 . The circuit according to claim 6 , further comprising a control circuit configured to activate the second transistor in response to sensing a discharge of the second capacitive node below a threshold.

10 . An artificial neural network comprising at least one circuit according to claim 6 .

11 . An electronic circuit of an artificial neuron, comprising:

a first capacitive node of application of a membrane potential of the artificial neuron;

a first transistor for discharging the first capacitive node;

a second capacitive node driven according to the membrane potential and delivering a potential for controlling the first transistor;

a second transistor for discharging the second capacitive node,

wherein the second transistor is controlled according to a potential present at the second capacitive node; and

a fourth transistor coupled to the first capacitive node and to a fifth node of application of a potential for powering the artificial neuron;

wherein the gate of the fourth transistor is connected to an output of a NOR gate having a first input connected to the gate of the second transistor and a second input connected to the first capacitive node.

12 . The circuit according to claim 11 , wherein the second capacitive node is coupled to the first capacitive node by first and second inverters coupled in series at a fourth node.

13 . The circuit according to claim 11 , further comprising a control circuit configured to activate the second transistor in response to sensing a discharge of the second capacitive node below a threshold.

14 . An artificial neural network comprising at least one circuit according to claim 11 .

15 . An electronic circuit of an artificial neuron, comprising:

a first capacitive node of application of a membrane potential of the artificial neuron;

a first transistor for discharging the first capacitive node;

a second capacitive node driven according to the membrane potential and delivering a potential for controlling the first transistor;

a second transistor for discharging the second capacitive node,

wherein the second transistor is controlled according to a potential present at the second capacitive node; and

a fourth transistor coupled to the first capacitive node and to a fifth node of application of a potential for powering the artificial neuron;

wherein the fourth transistor is coupled to the first capacitive node by a fifth transistor having a gate configured to receive a potential for exciting the artificial neuron.

16 . The circuit according to claim 15 , wherein the second capacitive node is coupled to the first capacitive node by first and second inverters coupled in series at a fourth node.

17 . The circuit according to claim 15 , further comprising a control circuit configured to activate the second transistor in response to sensing a discharge of the second capacitive node below a threshold.

18 . An artificial neural network comprising at least one circuit according to claim 15 .

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 23, 2024
From: STMICROELECTRONICS SA
To: STMICROELECTRONICS FRANCE
Reel/Frame 066663/0136 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: CINCON, VALERIAN; GALY, PHILIPPE
To: STMICROELECTRONICS SA
Reel/Frame 057768/0855 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 2010639 · Oct 16, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220121913A1 · Apr 21, 2022
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