A Network Simulator for the Estimation of Bandwidth Load and Latency Created by Heterogeneous Spiking Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Computing Communication Networks

Accelerated simulations of biological neural networks are in demand to discover the principals of biological learning. Novel many-core simulation platforms, e.g., SpiNNaker, BrainScaleS and Neurogrid, allow one to study neuron behavior in the brain at an accelerated rate, with a high level of detail...

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Main Authors: Robert Kleijnen, Markus Robens, Michael Schiek, Stefan van Waasen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-04-01
Series:Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9268/12/2/23
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author Robert Kleijnen
Markus Robens
Michael Schiek
Stefan van Waasen
author_facet Robert Kleijnen
Markus Robens
Michael Schiek
Stefan van Waasen
author_sort Robert Kleijnen
collection DOAJ
description Accelerated simulations of biological neural networks are in demand to discover the principals of biological learning. Novel many-core simulation platforms, e.g., SpiNNaker, BrainScaleS and Neurogrid, allow one to study neuron behavior in the brain at an accelerated rate, with a high level of detail. However, they do not come anywhere near simulating the human brain. The massive amount of spike communication has turned out to be a bottleneck. We specifically developed a network simulator to analyze in high detail the network loads and latencies caused by different network topologies and communication protocols in neuromorphic computing communication networks. This simulator allows simulating the impacts of heterogeneous neural networks and evaluating neuron mapping algorithms, which is a unique feature among state-of-the-art network models and simulators. The simulator was cross-checked by comparing the results of a homogeneous neural network-based run with corresponding bandwidth load results from comparable works. Additionally, the increased level of detail achieved by the new simulator is presented. Then, we show the impact heterogeneous connectivity can have on the network load, first for a small-scale test case, and later for a large-scale test case, and how different neuron mapping algorithms can influence this effect. Finally, we look at the latency estimations performed by the simulator for different mapping algorithms, and the impact of the node size.
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spelling doaj.art-2e887b5db0014fa4bd8562d3fa2583212023-11-23T17:21:06ZengMDPI AGJournal of Low Power Electronics and Applications2079-92682022-04-011222310.3390/jlpea12020023A Network Simulator for the Estimation of Bandwidth Load and Latency Created by Heterogeneous Spiking Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Computing Communication NetworksRobert Kleijnen0Markus Robens1Michael Schiek2Stefan van Waasen3Central Institute of Engineering, Electronics and Analytics—Electronic Systems (ZEA-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, GermanyCentral Institute of Engineering, Electronics and Analytics—Electronic Systems (ZEA-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, GermanyCentral Institute of Engineering, Electronics and Analytics—Electronic Systems (ZEA-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, GermanyCentral Institute of Engineering, Electronics and Analytics—Electronic Systems (ZEA-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, GermanyAccelerated simulations of biological neural networks are in demand to discover the principals of biological learning. Novel many-core simulation platforms, e.g., SpiNNaker, BrainScaleS and Neurogrid, allow one to study neuron behavior in the brain at an accelerated rate, with a high level of detail. However, they do not come anywhere near simulating the human brain. The massive amount of spike communication has turned out to be a bottleneck. We specifically developed a network simulator to analyze in high detail the network loads and latencies caused by different network topologies and communication protocols in neuromorphic computing communication networks. This simulator allows simulating the impacts of heterogeneous neural networks and evaluating neuron mapping algorithms, which is a unique feature among state-of-the-art network models and simulators. The simulator was cross-checked by comparing the results of a homogeneous neural network-based run with corresponding bandwidth load results from comparable works. Additionally, the increased level of detail achieved by the new simulator is presented. Then, we show the impact heterogeneous connectivity can have on the network load, first for a small-scale test case, and later for a large-scale test case, and how different neuron mapping algorithms can influence this effect. Finally, we look at the latency estimations performed by the simulator for different mapping algorithms, and the impact of the node size.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9268/12/2/23network simulatorneuromorphic computingcommunication networkheterogeneous connectivity modelsneuron mappings
spellingShingle Robert Kleijnen
Markus Robens
Michael Schiek
Stefan van Waasen
A Network Simulator for the Estimation of Bandwidth Load and Latency Created by Heterogeneous Spiking Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Computing Communication Networks
Journal of Low Power Electronics and Applications
network simulator
neuromorphic computing
communication network
heterogeneous connectivity models
neuron mappings
title A Network Simulator for the Estimation of Bandwidth Load and Latency Created by Heterogeneous Spiking Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Computing Communication Networks
title_full A Network Simulator for the Estimation of Bandwidth Load and Latency Created by Heterogeneous Spiking Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Computing Communication Networks
title_fullStr A Network Simulator for the Estimation of Bandwidth Load and Latency Created by Heterogeneous Spiking Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Computing Communication Networks
title_full_unstemmed A Network Simulator for the Estimation of Bandwidth Load and Latency Created by Heterogeneous Spiking Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Computing Communication Networks
title_short A Network Simulator for the Estimation of Bandwidth Load and Latency Created by Heterogeneous Spiking Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Computing Communication Networks
title_sort network simulator for the estimation of bandwidth load and latency created by heterogeneous spiking neural networks on neuromorphic computing communication networks
topic network simulator
neuromorphic computing
communication network
heterogeneous connectivity models
neuron mappings
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9268/12/2/23
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