Robert Boschgmbh

Rolf Michael Koehler

Jens Eric Markus Mehnert

Jan Mathias Koehler

Pia Petrizio

A method for operating an artificial neural network (ANN) on a hardware platform. The ANN is designed to ascertain confidences with which input data are to be assigned to N discrete classes. The hardware platform includes a dedicated unit which forms from a list of M&#x3e;N confidences expanded confidences by encoding into each confidence an identification number of its place in the list, and numerically sorts the expanded confidences. The unit is fed confidences 1, . . . , M&#x2212;N, which have the minimal representable value, and confidences M&#x2212;N+1, . . . , M, which correspond to the N discrete classes, and/or it is ensured that those confidences fed to the unit that correspond to one of the N discrete classes have a value higher than the minimal representable value. A ranking of the classes ordered according to confidences, to which the input data are to be assigned, is ascertained from the first N of the numerically sorted expanded confidences.

Hardware-accelerated operation of artificial neural networks

An encoder, connectable to a data-memory, for storing numerical values in the data-memory, which lie in a value range between a predefined-minimum-value and a predefined-maximum-value, the encoder including an assignment instruction, according to which the value range is subdivided into multiple discrete intervals, and the encoder being configured to classify a numerical value to be stored in exactly one interval and to output an identifier of this interval, the intervals varying in width on the scale of the numerical values. A decoder for numerical values, which are stored in a data-memory using an encoder, to assign according to one assignment instruction an identifier of a discrete interval retrieved from the data-memory a fixed numerical value belonging to this interval and to output it. Also described are an AI module including an ANN, an encoder and a decoder, and a method for manufacturing the AI module, and an associated computer program.

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Dettenhausen, Germany

Rolf Michael Koehler