title: Architectures for high-performance FPGA implementations of neural models.
abstract: As the complexity of neural models continues to increase (larger populations, varied ionic conductances, more detailed morphologies, etc) traditional software-based models have difficulty scaling to reach the performance levels desired. This paper describes the use of FPGAs, or field programmable gate arrays, to easily implement a wide variety of neural models with the performance of custom analogue circuits or computer clusters, the reconfigurability of software, and at a cost rivalling personal computers. FPGAs reach this level of performance by enabling the design of neural models as parallel processed data paths. These architectures provide for a wide range of single-compartment, multi-compartment and population models to be readily converted to FPGA implementations. Generalized architectures are described for the efficient modelling of a first-order, nonlinear differential equation in throughput maximizing or latency minimizing data-path configurations. The homogeneity of population and multicompartment models is exploited to form deep pipelines for improved performance. Limitations of FPGA architectures and future research areas are explored.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Neuroengineering, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
authors.forename: Randall K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003201:Computers; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*