A Neural Network Decomposition Algorithm for Mapping on Crossbar-Based Computing Systems
Crossbar-based neuromorphic computing to accelerate neural networks is a popular alternative to conventional von Neumann computing systems. It is also referred as processing-in-memory and in-situ analog computing. The crossbars have a fixed number of synapses per neuron and it is necessary to decompose neurons to map networks onto the crossbars. This paper proposes the k-spare decomposition algorithm that can trade off the predictive performance against the neuron usage during the mapping. The proposed algorithm performs a two-level hierarchical decomposition. In the first global decomposition, it decomposes the neural network such that each crossbar has k spare neurons. These neurons are used to improve the accuracy of the partially mapped network in the subsequent local decomposition. Our experimental results using modern convolutional neural networks show that the proposed method can improve the accuracy substantially within about 10% extra neurons.