International Business Machines Corporation

Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera

Dharmendra S Modha

John Vernon Arthur

Andrew S Cassidy

Paul A Merolla

Jun Sawada

Bryan L Jackson

Subramanian Srikanteswara Iyer

John Edward Barth, Jr

Pallab Datta

Myron Dale Flickner

Steven Kyle Esser

Benjamin G Shaw

Filipp A Akopyan

Rathinakumar Appuswamy

John E Barth

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.

Hardware architecture for simulating a neural network of neurons

Embodiments of the invention provide a neurosynaptic network circuit comprising multiple neurosynaptic devices including a plurality of neurosynaptic core circuits for processing one or more data packets. The neurosynaptic devices further include a routing system for routing the data packets between the core circuits. At least one of the neurosynaptic devices is faulty. The routing system is configured for selectively bypassing each faulty neurosynaptic device when processing and routing the data packets.

Yield tolerance in a neurosynaptic system

The present invention provides a system comprising multiple core circuits. Each core circuit comprises multiple electronic axons for receiving event packets, multiple electronic neurons for generating event packets, and a fanout crossbar including multiple electronic synapse devices for interconnecting the neurons with the axons. The system further comprises a routing system for routing event packets between the core circuits. The routing system virtually connects each neuron with one or more programmable target axons for the neuron by routing each event packet generated by the neuron to the target axons. Each target axon for each neuron of each core circuit is an axon located on the same core circuit as, or a different core circuit than, the neuron.

Event-based neural network with hierarchical addressing for routing event packets between core circuits of the neural network

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and circuit interconnecting peripheral devices to neurosynaptic core circuits. The neurosynaptic system includes an interconnect that includes different types of communication channels. A device connects to the neurosynaptic system via the interconnect.

Peripheral device interconnections for neurosynaptic systems

Embodiments of the invention relate to a globally asynchronous and locally synchronous neuromorphic network. One embodiment comprises generating a synchronization signal that is distributed to a plurality of neural core circuits. In response to the synchronization signal, in at least one core circuit, incoming spike events maintained by said at least one core circuit are processed to generate an outgoing spike event. Spike events are asynchronously communicated between the core circuits via a routing fabric comprising multiple asynchronous routers.

Globally asynchronous and locally synchronous (GALS) neuromorphic network

One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising at least one data-to-spike converter unit for converting input numeric data received by the system to spike event data. Each data-to-spike converter unit is configured to support one or more spike codes.

Converting digital numeric data to spike event data

One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising at least one spike-to-data converter unit for converting spike event data generated by neurons to output numeric data. Each spike-to-data converter unit is configured to support one or more spike codes.

Converting spike event data to digital numeric data

Embodiments of the invention relate to processor arrays, and in particular, a processor array with interconnect circuits for bonding semiconductor dies. One embodiment comprises multiple semiconductor dies and at least one interconnect circuit for exchanging signals between the dies. Each die comprises at least one processor core circuit. Each interconnect circuit corresponds to a die of the processor array. Each interconnect circuit comprises one or more attachment pads for interconnecting a corresponding die with another die, and at least one multiplexor structure configured for exchanging bus signals in a reversed order.

Interconnect circuits at three-dimensional (3-D) bonding interfaces of a processor array

Embodiments of the invention relate to a multiplexed neural core circuit. One embodiment comprises a core circuit including a memory device that maintains neuronal attributes for multiple neurons. The memory device has multiple entries. Each entry maintains neuronal attributes for a corresponding neuron. The core circuit further comprises a controller for managing the memory device. In response to neuronal firing events targeting one of said neurons, the controller retrieves neuronal attributes for the target neuron from a corresponding entry of the memory device, and integrates said firing events based on the retrieved neuronal attributes to generate a firing event for the target neuron.

Multiplexing physical neurons to optimize power and area

Embodiments of the invention provide a neurosynaptic system comprising a delay unit for receiving and buffering axonal inputs, and a neural computation unit for generating neuronal outputs by performing a set of computations based on at least one axonal input received by the delay unit. The system further comprises a permutation unit for receiving external inputs to the system, and transmitting external outputs from the system. The permutation unit maps each external input received as either an axonal input to the delay unit or an external output from the system. The permutation unit maps each neuronal output generated by the neural computation unit as either an axonal input to the delay unit or an external output from the system. The neural computation unit comprises multiple electronic neurons, multiple electronic axons, and a plurality of electronic synapse devices interconnecting the neurons with the axons.

Utilizing a distributed and parallel set of neurosynaptic core circuits for neuronal computation and non-neuronal computation

Embodiments of the invention relate to mapping neural dynamics of a neural model on to a lookup table. One embodiment comprises defining a phase plane for a neural model. The phase plane represents neural dynamics of the neural model. The phase plane is coarsely sampled to obtain state transition information for multiple neuronal states. The state transition information is mapped on to a lookup table.

Mapping neural dynamics of a neural model on to a coarsely grained look-up table

Embodiments of the invention relate to faulty recovery mechanisms for a three-dimensional (3-D) network on a processor array. One embodiment comprises a multidimensional switch network for a processor array. The switch network comprises multiple switches for routing packets between multiple core circuits of the processor array. The switches are organized into multiple planes. The switch network further comprises a redundant plane including multiple redundant switches. Multiple data paths interconnect the switches. The redundant plane is used to facilitate full operation of the processor array in the event of one or more component failures.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera