Networks-on-Chip (NoC) Interconnect Strategy for Scalable Neuromorphic Hardware

About the Project

OPEN FOR UK AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND STUDENTS ONLY

The Semiconductor and Photonics Education and Research (SPEAR) Centre, funded by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), is a cross-border initiative connecting Ulster University and ATU with an all-island network of research groups and industry partners. Supported by Tyndall National Institute and advised by Seagate Technology, SPEAR focuses on advancing photonics research, training, and innovation in response to the EU Chips Act 2023, while addressing regional skills and infrastructure gaps.

A core component of SPEAR is a doctoral training programme involving 15 PhD students, delivered in collaboration with ATU, Tyndall National Institute, and Seagate Technology. Three students will be based at Ulster University (Derry~Londonderry campus) and will join a joint Doctoral College with researchers at ATU (Letterkenny campus) and Tyndall. The programme includes co-supervision, shared training, summer schools, industry engagement, and access to advanced facilities. This PhD studentship is now open for applications.

PhD Topic: Networks-on-Chip (NoC) Interconnect Strategy for Scalable Neuromorphic Hardware

Neuromorphic hardware mimics the brain using spiking neural networks, enabling efficient, parallel, and event-driven computation. Its low power and real-time processing make it well suited for edge applications such as IoT, smart manufacturing, and energy-efficient data centres. A key challenge is designing scalable interconnects between neurons, synapses, and glial cells. Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) provide a scalable communication framework for such systems, supporting event-based data transfer.

Recent work at Ulster has developed astrocyte-neuron networks that integrate glial cells to enable adaptability and self-repair. However, scaling these systems introduces significant interconnect challenges. Advances in photonics offer high-speed, energy-efficient on-chip communication, creating opportunities to combine NoC and photonic approaches for next-generation neuromorphic hardware.

This PhD aims to innovate in a new NoC interconnect solution for large-scale neuromorphic hardware, which utilise photonics-based mechanisms. The PhD work will examine impacts on NoC design, including routers and topologies. The PhD project has access to modern Intel (Altera) AMD (Xilinx) FPGAs and a large suite of Agilent logic analyser/oscilloscope instrumentation; existing in-house reference FPGA-based neuromorphic NoC designs are available to support initial explorations.

Funding Notes

Eligibility: Open for UK and Republic of Ireland Students Only

This project is funded by SEUPB Peace Plus (SPEAR)