The Prospects for Analogue Neural VLSI

Abstract

In recent years, the efforts of analogue, neural-hardware designers have shifted from generic analogue neurocomputers to "niche" markets in sensor fusion and robotics, and we explain why this is so. We describe the main differences between digital and analogue computation, and consider the advantages of pure analogue and pulsed methods of design. We then investigate some important issues in analogue design of neural machines, namely weight storage (volatile and non-volatile), on-chip learning, and arithmetic accuracy and its relationship to noise. Finally, we outline those areas in which analogue techniques are likely to prove most useful, and speculate as to their likely long-term utility.