Voxelization using FPGAs

International Symposium on IC Technology, Systems and Applications8197-20

SpiNNaker: Mapping neural networks onto a massively-parallel chip multiprocessor

Abstract—SpiNNaker is a novel chip – based on the ARM processor – which is designed to support large scale spiking neural networks simulations. In this paper we describe some of the features that permit SpiNNaker chips to be connected together to form scalable massively-parallel systems. Our even-tual goal is to be able to simulate neural networks consisting of 109 neurons running in ‘real time’, by which we mean that a similarly sized collection of biological neurons would run at the same speed. In this paper we describe the methods by which neural networks are mapped onto the system, and how features designed into the chip are to be exploited in practice. We will also describe the modelling and verification activities by which we hope to ensure that, when the chip is delivered, it will work as anticipated

Retina color-opponency based pursuit implemented through spiking neural networks in the neurorobotics platform

The ‘red-green’ pathway of the retina is classically recognized as one of the retinal mechanisms allowing humans to gather color information from light, by combining information from L-cones and M-cones in an opponent way. The precise retinal circuitry that allows the opponency process to occur is still uncertain, but it is known that signals from L-cones and M-cones, having a widely overlapping spectral response, contribute with opposite signs. In this paper, we simulate the red-green opponency process using a retina model based on linear-nonlinear analysis to characterize context adaptation and exploiting an image-processing approach to simulate the neural responses in order to track a moving target. Moreover, we integrate this model within a visual pursuit controller implemented as a spiking neural network to guide eye movements in a humanoid robot. Tests conducted in the Neurorobotics Platform confirm the effectiveness of the whole model. This work is the first step towards a bio-inspired smooth pursuit model embedding a retina model using spiking neural networks