A self-contained text, suitable for a broad audience. Presents basic concepts in electronics, transistor physics, and neurobiology for readers without backgrounds in those areas. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This volume contains the proceedings of a workshop on Analog Integrated Neural Systems held May 8, 1989, in connection with the International Symposium on Circuits and Systems. The presentations were chosen to encompass the entire range of topics currently under study in this exciting new discipline. Stringent acceptance requirements were placed on contributions: (1) each description was required to include detailed characterization of a working chip, and (2) each design was not to have been published previously. In several cases, the status of the project was not known until a few weeks before the meeting date. As a result, some of the most recent innovative work in the field was presented. Because this discipline is evolving rapidly, each project is very much a work in progress. Authors were asked to devote considerable attention to the shortcomings of their designs, as well as to the notable successes they achieved. In this way, other workers can now avoid stumbling into the same traps, and evolution can proceed more rapidly (and less painfully). The chapters in this volume are presented in the same order as the corresponding presentations at the workshop. The first two chapters are concerned with fmding solutions to complex optimization problems under a predefmed set of constraints. The first chapter reports what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first neural-chip design. In each case, the physics of the underlying electronic medium is used to represent a cost function in a natural way, using only nearest-neighbor connectivity.

This book is an edited selection of the papers presented at the International Workshop on VLSI for Artifidal Intelligence and Neural Networks which was held at the University of Oxford in September 1990. Our thanks go to all the contributors and especially to the programme committee for all their hard work. Thanks are also due to the ACM-SIGARCH, the IEEE Computer Society, and the lEE for publicizing the event and to the University of Oxford and SUNY-Binghamton for their active support. We are particularly grateful to Anna Morris, Maureen Doherty and Laura Duffy for coping with the administrative problems. Jose Delgado-Frias Will Moore April 1991 vii PROLOGUE Artificial intelligence and neural network algorithms/computing have increased in complexity as well as in the number of applications. This in tum has posed a tremendous need for a larger computational power than can be provided by conventional scalar processors which are oriented towards numeric and data manipulations. Due to the artificial intelligence requirements (symbolic manipulation, knowledge representation, non-deterministic computations and dynamic resource allocation) and neural network computing approach (non-programming and learning), a different set of constraints and demands are imposed on the computer architectures for these applications.

Neural Information Processing and VLSI provides a unified treatment of this important subject for use in classrooms, industry, and research laboratories, in order to develop advanced artificial and biologically-inspired neural networks using compact analog and digital VLSI parallel processing techniques. Neural Information Processing and VLSI systematically presents various neural network paradigms, computing architectures, and the associated electronic/optical implementations using efficient VLSI design methodologies. Conventional digital machines cannot perform computationally-intensive tasks with satisfactory performance in such areas as intelligent perception, including visual and auditory signal processing, recognition, understanding, and logical reasoning (where the human being and even a small living animal can do a superb job). Recent research advances in artificial and biological neural networks have established an important foundation for high-performance information processing with more efficient use of computing resources. The secret lies in the design optimization at various levels of computing and communication of intelligent machines. Each neural network system consists of massively paralleled and distributed signal processors with every processor performing very simple operations, thus consuming little power. Large computational capabilities of these systems in the range of some hundred giga to several tera operations per second are derived from collectively parallel processing and efficient data routing, through well-structured interconnection networks. Deep-submicron very large-scale integration (VLSI) technologies can integrate tens of millions of transistors in a single silicon chip for complex signal processing and information manipulation. The book is suitable for those interested in efficient neurocomputing as well as those curious about neural network system applications. It has been especially prepared for use as a text for advanced undergraduate and first year graduate students, and is an excellent reference book for researchers and scientists working in the fields covered.

Although it is now possible to integrate many millions of transistors on a single chip, traditional digital circuit technology is now reaching its limits, facing problems of cost and technical efficiency when scaled down to ever-smaller feature sizes. The analysis of biological neutral systems, especially for visual processing, has allowed angineers to better understand how complex network can effictively process large amounts of information, whilst dealing with difficult computational challenges. Analog and parallel processing are key characteristics of biological neutral networks. Analog VLSI circuits using the same features can therefore be developed to emulate brain-style processing. Using standard CMOS technology, they can be cheaply manufactured, permitting efficient industrial and consumer applications in robotics and mobile electronics. This book explores the theory, design and implementation of analog VLSI circuits, inspired by visual motion processing in biological neutral networks. Using a novel approach pioneered by the author himself, Stocker explains in detail the construction of a series of electronic chips, providing the reader with a valuable practical insight into the technology. Analog VLSI Circuits for the Perception of Visual Motion: analyzes the computational problems in visual motion perception; examines the issue of optimization in analog networks through high level processes such as motion segmentation and selective attention; demonstrates network implementation in anallog VLSI CMOS technology to provide computationally efficient devices; sets out measurements of final hardware implementation; illustrates the similarities of the presented circuits with the human visual motion perception system; includes an accompanying website with video clips of circuits under real-time visual conditions and additional supplementary material. With a complete review of all existing neuromorphic analog VLSI systems for visual motion sensing, Analog VLSI Circuits for the Perception of Visual Motion is a unique reference for advanced students in electrical engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics and computational neuroscience. It will also be useful for researcher, professionals, and electronics engineers working in the field.

Neuromorphic systems are implementations in silicon of sensory and neural systems whose architecture and design are based on neurobiology. This growing area proffers exciting possibilities, such as sensory systems that can compete with human senses and pattern recognition systems that can run in real time. The area is at the intersection of neurophysiology, computer science and electrical engineering. This book brings together recent developments in Europe and the US, so that researchers in both academia and industry can find out about the state of the art. As well as elementary material on what neuromorphic systems are and why they are growing in importance, the book contains details of current work. Them are articles on aspects of implementing sensory neuromorphic systems, as well as articles on neuromorphic hardware.

Adaptive Analog VLSI Neural Systems is the first practical book on neural networks learning chips and systems. It covers the entire process of implementing neural networks in VLSI chips, beginning with the crucial issues of learning algorithms in an analog framework and limited precision effects, and giving actual case studies of working systems. The approach is systems and applications oriented throughout, demonstrating the attractiveness of such an approach for applications such as adaptive pattern recognition and optical character recognition. Dr Jabri and his co-authors from AT&T Bell Laboratories, Bellcore and the University of Sydney provide a comprehensive introduction to VLSI neural networks suitable for research and development staff and advanced students.

The explosive growth and development of the integrated circuit market over the last few years have been mostly limited to the digital VLSI domain. The difficulty of automating the design process in the analog domain, the fact that a general analog design methodology remained undefined, and the poor performance of earlier tools have left the analog

This book presents the first comprehensive treatment of analog VLSI design for signal and information processing applications by blending the basic design concepts of both traditional and contemporary analog VLSI. The breadth and level of details of topics covered are unique, reflecting the birth of a new generation of analog VLSI circuits. Each chapter provides basic introductory material in a tutorial manner, with examples or case studies at the circuit and/or system level. Outstanding features of the text include coverage of the latest in analog VLSI putting students and practicing engineers on the cutting edge of this exciting field; thorough coverage of topics unique to this book including low-voltage, BiCMOS, current-mode and neural information processing, oversampled data converters, statistical design, analog testability, analog CAD, analog layout, and analog VLSI interconnects; avoids lengthy coverage of device physics and IC fabrication and goes straight to the design and applications of analog VLSI circuits; extensive use of SPICE in numerous examples and problem sets; worked examples (from a realistic-silicon chip) and end-of-chapter problems assist reader comprehension; and an instructor's manual containing a complete listing of problem solutions and SPICE netlists.