Reconfigurable digital spiking neuron and its pulse-coupled network: Basic characteristics and potential applications

We present a novel digital spiking neuron that can generate various periodic spike trains depending on initial states. The spike trains can he symbolized by digital codes based on spike-position modulation. It is theoretically clarified that different types of codes (e.g., binary and Gray number codes) can be realized by adjusting system parameters. We also present a multiplex communication system. A transmitter neuron can map multiple digital codes into a single spike train. A pulse-coupled network of the neurons accepts the spike train and can retrieve the digital codes based on a synchronization phenomenon. Typical phenomena are confirmed by HDL simulation.