A Reconfigurable Time-Domain In-Memory Computing Macro Using FeFET-Based CAM With Multilevel Delay Calibration in 28-nm CMOS

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Authors: Jeries Mattar, Mor Mordechai Dahan, Stefan Dünkel, Halid Mulaosmanovic, Gunda Beernink, Sven Beyer, Eilam Yalon, Nicolás Wainstein
Cited by: 1
References: 32

Abstract

Time-domain nonvolatile in-memory computing (TD-nvIMC) offers a promising pathway to reduce data movement and improve energy efficiency by encoding computation in delay rather than voltage or current. This work presents a fully integrated and reconfigurable TD-nvIMC macro, fabricated in 28 nm CMOS, that combines a ferroelectric FET (FeFET)-based content-addressable memory array, a cascaded delay element chain, and a time-to-digital converter. The architecture supports binary multiply-and-accumulate (MAC) operations using XOR- and AND-based matching, as well as in-memory Boolean logic and arithmetic functions. Sub-nanosecond MAC resolution is achieved through experimentally demonstrated 550 ps delay steps, representing a$2000\times $improvement over prior FeFET TD-nvIMC work, enabled by multilevel-state calibration with$\leq 100$ps resolution. Write-disturb resilience is ensured via isolated triple-well bulks. The proposed macro achieves a measured throughput of 222.2 MOPS/cell and energy efficiency of 1887TOPS/W at 0.85 V, establishing a viable path toward scalable, energy-efficient TD-nvIMC accelerators.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ferroelectric and Negative Capacitance Devices Magnetic properties of thin films Advanced Memory and Neural Computing

Publication details

Journal / source
IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I Regular Papers
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Volume
73
Issue
6
Pages
4036–4047
Publication date
25 February 2026