Addressing 'Memory Wall' is Key to Edge-Based AI

Addressing the "memory wall" and pushing for a new architectural solution enabling highly efficient performance computing for rapidly growing artificial intelligence (AI) applications are key areas of focus for Leti, the French technology research institute of CEA Tech. Speaking to EE Times at Leti's annual innovation conference here, Leti CEO Emmanuel Sabonnadière said there needs to be a highly integrated and holistic approach to moving AI from software and the cloud into an embedded chip at the edge. "We really need something at the edge, with a different architecture that is more than just CMOS, but is structurally integrated into the system, and enable autonomy from the cloud -- for example for autonomous vehicles, you need independence of the cloud as much as possible," Sabonnadière said. He commented on the Qualcomm bid for NXP being a key pointer as a driver for more computing at the edge. "Why do you think Qualcomm is buying NXP? It's for the sensing, and to put digital behind the sensing."