English

OpenACMv2: An Accuracy-Constrained Co-Optimization Framework for Approximate DCiM

Machine Learning 2026-03-16 v1 Hardware Architecture

Abstract

Digital Compute-in-Memory (DCiM) accelerates neural networks by reducing data movement. Approximate DCiM can further improve power-performance-area (PPA), but demands accuracy-constrained co-optimization across coupled architecture and transistor-level choices. Building on OpenYield, we introduce Accuracy-Constrained Co-Optimization (ACCO) and present OpenACMv2, an open framework that operationalizes ACCO via two-level optimization: (1) accuracy-constrained architecture search of compressor combinations and SRAM macro parameters, driven by a fast GNN-based surrogate for PPA and error; and (2) variation- and PVT-aware transistor sizing for standard cells and SRAM bitcells using Monte Carlo. By decoupling ACCO into architecture-level exploration and circuit-level sizing, OpenACMv2 integrates classic single- and multi-objective optimizers to deliver strong PPA-accuracy tradeoffs and robust convergence. The workflow is compatible with FreePDK45 and OpenROAD, supporting reproducible evaluation and easy adoption. Experiments demonstrate significant PPA improvements under controlled accuracy budgets, enabling rapid "what-if" exploration for approximate DCiM. The framework is available on https://github.com/ShenShan123/OpenACM.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2603.13042,
  title  = {OpenACMv2: An Accuracy-Constrained Co-Optimization Framework for Approximate DCiM},
  author = {Yiqi Zhou and Yue Yuan and Yikai Wang and Bohao Liu and Qinxin Mei and Zhuohua Liu and Shan Shen and Wei Xing and Daying Sun and Li Li and Guozhu Liu},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.13042},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

Accepted by DAC2026. Initial version

R2 v1 2026-07-01T11:18:31.323Z