CTRNN-EH in Silicon: Challenges in Realizing Configurable CTRNNs in VLSI

In prior work, continuous time recurrent neural network evolvable hardware (CTRNN-LTI) techniques were demonstrated to be effective in controlling unstable vibrations in simulated jet engine combustion chambers. Currently CTRNN-EII devices are being fabricated in VLSI for deployment in the real world. However, because of engineering constraints and difficulties in hardware, there are challenges in maintaining the high model-to-hardware fidelity that is critical before these devices are deployed. Tins paper will present these challenges in detail and provide some practical techniques that help preserve the model-to-hardware fidelity.