// chip analogy
Why event-driven beats always-on clocking.
// synchronous vs asynchronous architecture
"In a synchronous digital design, every flip-flop toggles every clock cycle — whether data has changed or not. The power is constant regardless of activity. A neuromorphic chip like Pulsar is fundamentally asynchronous at the compute level — it processes only when a spike arrives, like a biological neuron that fires only when its input threshold is crossed. No spike, no compute, no power. For always-on sensor applications where data arrives sparsely, this is not an incremental improvement — it is a different order of magnitude."
FAQ
Common Questions
What is the minimum order quantity?
MOQ and pricing depend on application and volume. Contact us with your requirement and we will get the details from Innatera and respond within 48 hours.
Do I need the EVK before ordering the IC?
For most customers, yes — we recommend starting with the Pulsar EVK to validate your use case and develop your SNN model before committing to IC orders. The EVK uses the same chip, so your software development transfers directly.
Can VLSI EXPERT support board design around the Pulsar IC?
Yes — through our Design Services team, we can support hardware design for custom Pulsar-based boards. Contact us to discuss the scope.
What software do I need to program the chip?
The Talamo SDK — a Python-based framework from Innatera. It handles SNN model design, simulation and deployment to the Pulsar chip. Access is provided with IC orders.