Micron Technology, Inc.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING DIVERSITY MATRIX OPERATIONS WITHIN A MEMORY ARRAY

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for performing diversity matrix operations within a memory fabric. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to converting a memory array into a matrix fabric for spatial diversity-related matrix transformations and performing matrix operations therein. Exemplary embodiments described herein perform MIMO-related matrix transformations (e.g., precoding, beamforming, or data recovery matrix operations) within a memory device that includes a matrix fabric and matrix multiplication unit (MMU). In one variant, the matrix fabric uses a "crossbar" construction of resistive elements. Each resistive element stores a level of impedance that represents the corresponding matrix coefficient value. The crossbar connectivity can be driven with an electrical signal representing the input vector as an analog voltage. The resulting signals can be converted from analog voltages to a digital values by an MMU to yield a matrix-vector product. The MMU may additionally perform various other logical operations within the digital domain.