Delay-Based Neural Computation: Pulse Routing Architecture and Benchmark Application in FPGA

Neuromorphic engineering implements large-scale systems that provide a high integration density of power efficient synapse-and-neuron blocks. This represents a promising alternative to the numerical simulations for studying the dynamics of spiking neural networks. A key aspect of these systems is the implementation of communication and routing of pulse events produced by the neural network. In this paper we present a measurement methodology and results of a neural benchmark that tests the configurable delays, multicasting and connectivity implemented by a routing logic for neuromorphic hardware. Pulses are handled according to their timestamp and transmitted with configurable delays and routing to different post-synaptic neurons. The results show the suitability of communication and routing logic for delay-based neural computation and point out effects of time discretization in resolution of pulse timestamps.