Abstract: An all-analog natural language processing system is provided. Analog audio input is processed directly by an all-analog signal pathway wherein the audio activity detection, voice activity detection, feature extraction and neural network processing are all performed in the analog domain. Audio/voice detection and feature extraction is performed by a bandpass filter bank having a plurality of individual bandpass filters. Each bandpass filter includes an array of individual capacitively coupled current conveyor second order sections having a charge-trap transistor as a programmable element for tuning the passband of the filter. Compared to typical digital systems for natural language processing, the present all-analog system can perform natural language processing with comparable accuracy but greatly reduced energy consumption of up to two orders of magnitude less.

Abstract: Provided are computer systems, methods, and devices for operating an artificial neural network. The system includes neurons. The neurons include a plurality of synapses including charge-trapped transistors for processing input signals, an accumulation block for receiving drain currents from the plurality of synapses, the drain currents produced as an output of multiplication from the plurality of synapses, the drain currents calculating an amount of voltage multiplied by time, a capacitor for accumulating charge from the drain currents to act as short-term memory for accumulated signals, a discharge pulse generator for generating an output signal by discharging the accumulated charge during a discharging cycle, and a comparator for comparing an input voltage with a reference voltage. The comparator produces a first output if the input voltage is above the reference voltage and produces a second output if the input voltage is below the reference voltage.