International Business Machines Corporation
Spiking synaptic elements for spiking neural networks

Abstract:

Embodiment of the invention are directed to transmitting signals between neurons of a hardware-implemented, spiking neural network (or SNN). The network includes neuronal connections, each including a synaptic unit connecting a pre-synaptic neuron to a post-synaptic neuron. Spikes received from the pre-synaptic neuron of said each neuronal connection are first modulated, in frequency, based on a synaptic weight stored on said each synaptic unit, to generate post-synaptic spikes, such that a first number of spikes received from the pre-synaptic neuron are translated into a second number of post-synaptic spikes. At least some of the spikes received from the pre-synaptic neuron may, each, be translated into a train of two or more post-synaptic spikes. The post-synaptic spikes generated are subsequently transmitted to the post-synaptic neuron of said each neuronal connection. The novel approach makes it possible to obtain a higher dynamic range in the synapse output.