Comparing NVM Technologies through the Lens of Intermittent Computation

Abstract

Intermittent computing (IC) promises long lifetimes for IoT edge devices. Running directly from energy harvesting sources enables these devices to be deployed and left, potentially for decades. As the field of IC progresses from proof-of-concept to deployable devices, the research focus must shift from processor-centric schemes to consideration of the whole system. The non-volatile memory (NVM) technology, as well as the way it is used, will have a significant effect. Properties such as latency, read/write energy, and endurance can vary by orders of magnitude, and this may affect the viability of many schemes presented in the literature. This paper presents a review of the characteristics of both commercially-available and future NVM technologies, and recommends design considerations for IC systems which incorporate these.