Hardware architecture for simulating a neural network of neurons

US9466022B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera · San Jose, US
• John V. Arthur · Mountain View, US
• Andrew S. Cassidy · San Jose, US
• Pallab Datta · San Jose, US
• Paul A. Merolla · Palo Alto, US
• Dharmendra S. Modha · San Jose, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 2015
• Grant date: Oct 11, 2016
• Expiry date: May 19, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06N3/065
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a neural network system for simulating neurons of a neural model. One embodiment comprises a memory device that maintains neuronal states for multiple neurons, a lookup table that maintains state transition information for multiple neuronal states, and a controller unit that manages the memory device. The controller unit updates a neuronal state for each neuron based on incoming spike events targeting said neuron and state transition information corresponding to said neuronal state.