A flexible column parallel successive-approximation ADC for hybrid neuromorphic computing

This work presents a concept and components for a Nyquist dual mode charge-redistribution SAR ADC in a 65 nm-process. Its fast mode (62.5MSs(-1)) offers 7 bit resolution using an interleaving technique and its precise mode 8 bit resolution at 12.5MSs(-1). The ADC is specialized on the requirements of a parallel interface between analog and digital computing blocks in the neuromorphic BrainScaleS-2 (BSS-2) system. Furthermore, it offers a small area footprint of around 1500 mu m(2) and low power consumption. It targets at two main applications: A fast result readout for analog vector-matrix-multiplications as well as membrane potentials and other plasticity related observable in spiking neural networks (SNNs).