Research progress on low-power artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) chip design

Le Ye, Zhixuan Wang, Tianyu Jia, Yufei Ma, Linxiao Shen, Yihan Zhang, Heyi Li, Peiyu Chen, Meng Wu, Ying Liu, Yiqi Jing, Hao Zhang, Ru Huang

Abstract: An artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) chip is a critical hardware component in edge devices that supports data acquisition and processing in the artificial intelligence (AI) era. In this paper, we introduce the architecture and circuit techniques for AIoT systems as well as the design challenges associated with them. To address the design challenges, we describe our design approaches to improve energy efficiency from the standpoints of system architecture, AI computing, and data acquisition circuits. Meanwhile, we present our most recent research progress and state-of-the-art AIoT chip demonstrations at a prestigious conference. Our design techniques improve power and energy efficiency by orders of magnitude on corresponding state of the arts (SOTA), allowing for an advanced AIoT chip design.