Semiconductor neural network device including a synapse circuit comprising memory cells and an activation function circuit

Abstract

Novel connection between neurons of a neural network is provided. A perceptron included in the neural network includes a plurality of neurons; the neuron includes a synapse circuit and an activation function circuit; and the synapse circuit includes a plurality of memory cells. A bit line selected by address information for selecting a memory cell is shared by a plurality of perceptrons. The memory cell is supplied with a weight coefficient of an analog signal, and the synapse circuit is supplied with an input signal. The memory cell multiplies the input signal by the weight coefficient and converts the multiplied result into a first current. The synapse circuit generates a second current by adding a plurality of first currents and converts the second current into a first potential. The activation function circuit is a semiconductor device that converts the first potential into a second potential by a ramp function and supplies the second potential as an input signal of the synapse circuit included in the perceptron in a next stage.