SpikeHERO

SpikeHERO
Spiking Neural Network

Spiking hybrid edge computing for robust optoelectronical signal processing.

Programme: HORIZON.3.1 – The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Project ID: 101223134
Start date: 1. 10. 2025
End date: 30. 9. 2029
EU cordis link: CORDIS
Website: spikehero.eu
LinkedIN: spikehero

Argotech’s role

Advanced packaging
Support with demonstrator assembly

Project description

Modern smart edge devices demand faster data processing and lower energy consumption, but traditional computing architectures can hardly meet these needs. Funded by the European Innovation Council, the SpikeHERO project plans to develop a heterogeneous system that combines electrical and optical spiking neural network processors, which work like the brain to process information efficiently.

The developed system will help overcome current limitations in 6G fiber-to-the-edge networks. SpikeHERO aims to drastically reduce energy consumption – from 7-10 W to just 1-2 W – while tripling data speeds to 30 GHz. Such new architectures, advanced materials and integration techniques are paving the way for smarter, more sustainable edge devices.

Objective

SpikeHERO’s ambitious goal is to design, experimentally realize, and validate a heterogeneous system for low-energy communication and data processing at the edge. It will pursue a holistic approach that maximally leverages a co-design process encompassing both novel integration techniques and the exploration of systems combining electrical and optical chiplets. SpikeHERO will exploit advanced integration technologies, beyond CMOS devices and non-von Neumann architectures in the form of electrical and optical Spiking Neural Networks. When used as a fiber to the edge (FTTE) system to demonstrate a novel optical interconnection, SpikeHERO will significantly reduce the energy consumption from 7-10 W to 1-2 W, while increasing the bandwidth from 10 GHz to 30 GHz.

The requirements for SpikeHERO are derived from challenging use cases in the context of smart edge devices as well as inputs from industry partners. The utilized co-design process allows to optimize the overall system performance with regards to the energy efficiency of the entire system. After the overall system is specified and the subsystems are developed and tested, integration can take place through an advanced packaging solution. Besides the advances on the hardware development in SpikeHERO, a digital twin including the optical and electrical Spiking Neural Network is developed.

SpikeHERO directly addresses the specific objective of the EIC challenge aimed at reducing energy consumption in smart edge devices by exploring and implementing novel materials, 3D multi-die heterogeneous integration, beyond CMOS devices, and non-von Neumann architectures. The project proposes a unique integration of optical and electrical Spiking Neural Networks that operate conjointly to enhance processing speed and power efficiency, setting a new standard for energy-efficient computing at the edge.