Biologically-Inspired Massively Parallel Architectures - computing beyond a million processors
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Computer Science
Abstract
The human brain remains as one of the great frontiers of science - how does this organ upon which we all depend so critically actually do its job? A great deal is known about the underlying technology - the neuron - and we can observe large-scale brain activity through techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, but this knowledge barely starts to tell us how the brain works. Something is happening at the intermediate levels of processing that we have yet to begin to understand, but the essence of the brain's information processing function probably lies in these intermediate levels. To get at these middle layers requires that we build models of very large systems of spiking neurons, with structures inspired by the increasingly detailed findings of neuroscience, in order to investigate the emergent behaviours, adaptability and fault-tolerance of those systems.Our goal in this project is to deliver machines of unprecedented cost-effectiveness for this task, and to make them readily accessible to as wide a user base as possible. We will also explore the applicability of the unique architecture that has emerged from the pursuit of this goal to other important application domains.
Publications
Plana L
(2011)
SpiNNaker Design and Implementation of a GALS Multicore System-on-Chip
in ACM Journal on Emerging Technologies in Computing Systems
Cope A
(2014)
The SpineML toolchain: enabling computational neuroscience through flexible tools for creating, sharing, and simulating neural models
in BMC Neuroscience
Xin Jin
(2010)
Modeling Spiking Neural Networks on SpiNNaker
in Computing in Science & Engineering
Bogdan PA
(2021)
Towards a Bio-Inspired Real-Time Neuromorphic Cerebellum.
in Frontiers in cellular neuroscience
Bhattacharya BS
(2014)
Engineering a thalamo-cortico-thalamic circuit on SpiNNaker: a preliminary study toward modeling sleep and wakefulness.
in Frontiers in neural circuits
Knight JC
(2016)
Large-Scale Simulations of Plastic Neural Networks on Neuromorphic Hardware.
in Frontiers in neuroanatomy
Peres L
(2022)
Parallelization of Neural Processing on Neuromorphic Hardware
in Frontiers in Neuroscience
Mikaitis M
(2018)
Neuromodulated Synaptic Plasticity on the SpiNNaker Neuromorphic System
in Frontiers in Neuroscience
Knight JC
(2016)
Synapse-Centric Mapping of Cortical Models to the SpiNNaker Neuromorphic Architecture.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Liu C
(2018)
Memory-Efficient Deep Learning on a SpiNNaker 2 Prototype.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Sen-Bhattacharya B
(2017)
A Spiking Neural Network Model of the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus on the SpiNNaker Machine.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Van Albada SJ
(2018)
Performance Comparison of the Digital Neuromorphic Hardware SpiNNaker and the Neural Network Simulation Software NEST for a Full-Scale Cortical Microcircuit Model.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Fonseca Guerra GA
(2017)
Using Stochastic Spiking Neural Networks on SpiNNaker to Solve Constraint Satisfaction Problems.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Sharp T
(2014)
Real-time million-synapse simulation of rat barrel cortex.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Stromatias E
(2015)
Robustness of spiking Deep Belief Networks to noise and reduced bit precision of neuro-inspired hardware platforms.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Liu Q
(2016)
Benchmarking Spike-Based Visual Recognition: A Dataset and Evaluation.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Galluppi F
(2014)
A framework for plasticity implementation on the SpiNNaker neural architecture.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Rhodes O
(2018)
sPyNNaker: A Software Package for Running PyNN Simulations on SpiNNaker.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Rowley AGD
(2019)
SpiNNTools: The Execution Engine for the SpiNNaker Platform.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Lagorce X
(2015)
Breaking the millisecond barrier on SpiNNaker: implementing asynchronous event-based plastic models with microsecond resolution.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Bogdan PA
(2018)
Structural Plasticity on the SpiNNaker Many-Core Neuromorphic System.
in Frontiers in neuroscience
Plana L
(2020)
spiNNlink: FPGA-Based Interconnect for the Million-Core SpiNNaker System
in IEEE Access
Painkras E
(2013)
SpiNNaker: A 1-W 18-Core System-on-Chip for Massively-Parallel Neural Network Simulation
in IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits
Furber S
(2012)
To build a brain
in IEEE Spectrum
Yousefzadeh A
(2017)
On Multiple AER Handshaking Channels Over High-Speed Bit-Serial Bidirectional LVDS Links With Flow-Control and Clock-Correction on Commercial FPGAs for Scalable Neuromorphic Systems.
in IEEE transactions on biomedical circuits and systems
James R
(2018)
Parallel Distribution of an Inner Hair Cell and Auditory Nerve Model for Real-Time Application
in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems
Yousefzadeh A
(2016)
Fast Predictive Handshaking in Synchronous FPGAs for Fully Asynchronous Multisymbol Chip Links: Application to SpiNNaker 2-of-7 Links
in IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II: Express Briefs
Sen-Bhattacharya B
(2018)
Building a Spiking Neural Network Model of the Basal Ganglia on SpiNNaker
in IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems
Furber S
(2013)
Overview of the SpiNNaker System Architecture
in IEEE Transactions on Computers
Brown A
(2018)
SpiNNaker: Event-Based Simulation-Quantitative Behavior
in IEEE Transactions on Multi-Scale Computing Systems
Rast AD
(2018)
Behavioral Learning in a Cognitive Neuromorphic Robot: An Integrative Approach.
in IEEE transactions on neural networks and learning systems
Grymel M
(2011)
A Novel Programmable Parallel CRC Circuit
in IEEE Transactions on Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) Systems
Furber S
(2016)
Brain-inspired computing
in IET Computers & Digital Techniques
Dugan K
(2013)
Interconnection system for the SpiNNaker biologically inspired multi-computer
in IET Computers & Digital Techniques
Brown A
(2015)
Reliable computation with unreliable computers
in IET Computers & Digital Techniques
Hopkins M
(2018)
Spiking neural networks for computer vision.
in Interface focus
Rast A
(2011)
Managing Burstiness and Scalability in Event-Driven Models on the SpiNNaker Neuromimetic System
in International Journal of Parallel Programming
Furber S
(2016)
Large-scale neuromorphic computing systems.
in Journal of neural engineering
Sharp T
(2012)
Power-efficient simulation of detailed cortical microcircuits on SpiNNaker.
in Journal of neuroscience methods
Patterson C
(2012)
Scalable communications for a million-core neural processing architecture
in Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing
Hopkins M
(2015)
Accuracy and Efficiency in Fixed-Point Neural ODE Solvers.
in Neural computation
Rast A
(2011)
Concurrent heterogeneous neural model simulation on real-time neuromimetic hardware.
in Neural networks : the official journal of the International Neural Network Society
Davies S
(2012)
A forecast-based STDP rule suitable for neuromorphic implementation.
in Neural networks : the official journal of the International Neural Network Society
Cope AJ
(2017)
SpineCreator: a Graphical User Interface for the Creation of Layered Neural Models.
in Neuroinformatics
Christensen D
(2022)
2022 roadmap on neuromorphic computing and engineering
in Neuromorphic Computing and Engineering
D'Angelo G
(2022)
Event driven bio-inspired attentive system for the iCub humanoid robot on SpiNNaker
in Neuromorphic Computing and Engineering
Khan M
(2011)
Event-driven configuration of a neural network CMP system over an homogeneous interconnect fabric
in Parallel Computing
Navaridas J
(2015)
SpiNNaker: Enhanced multicast routing
in Parallel Computing
Navaridas J
(2013)
SpiNNaker: Fault tolerance in a power- and area- constrained large-scale neuromimetic architecture
in Parallel Computing
Hopkins M
(2020)
Stochastic rounding and reduced-precision fixed-point arithmetic for solving neural ordinary differential equations.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Title | Talk |
Description | 'Talk' is an exhibit by Swedish artist Tove Kjellmark built as part of "The Imitation Game" exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery for part of Manchester's role as 2016 European City of Science. 'Talk' is a robotic exhibit that uses SpiNNaker technology. |
Type Of Art | Artwork |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Impact | The exhibition runs from February to June 2016. |
URL | http://manchesterartgallery.org/exhibitions-and-events/exhibition/the-imitation-game/ |
Description | A specially-designed passively-parallel computer can support real-time brain models better than a high-end supercomputer. |
Exploitation Route | The SpiNNaker platform can be used to explore models of brain function, neurorobotics, etc. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Healthcare |
URL | http://apt.cs.manchester.ac.uk/projects/SpiNNaker/ |
Description | We have built the SpiNNaker real-time brain-modelling machine, to be used in the EU ICT Flagship Human Brain Project. Some 90 small SpiNNaker boards are out on loan to labs around the world. The University has also made sales of SpiNNaker machines to academic, government and industry research labs world-wide. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics |
Description | (BIMPC) - Biologically-Inspired Massively-Parallel Computation |
Amount | € 2,399,761 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 320689 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 03/2013 |
End | 02/2018 |
Description | (HBP SGA1) - Human Brain Project Specific Grant Agreement 1 |
Amount | € 89,000,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 720270 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | (HBP SGA2) - Human Brain Project Specific Grant Agreement 2 |
Amount | € 88,000,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 785907 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 04/2018 |
End | 03/2020 |
Description | (HBP SGA3) - Human Brain Project Specific Grant Agreement 3 |
Amount | € 150,000,000 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 945539 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 04/2020 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | (HBP) - Human Brain Project |
Amount | € 1,632,174 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 284941 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 05/2011 |
End | 04/2012 |
Description | (HBP) - The Human Brain Project |
Amount | € 72,522,840 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 604102 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 10/2013 |
End | 02/2017 |
Description | A R M Ltd |
Organisation | Arm Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Silistix Ltd |
Organisation | Silistix Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Title | Multicast Communications Router |
Description | This is the key patent for the multicast packet-switch spike packet routing used on SpiNNaker. |
IP Reference | GB0524126.0 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | SpiNNaker has been loaned and sold to about 75 research groups around the world. |
Company Name | Cogniscience Ltd |
Description | Owns the SpiNNaker IP |
Impact | Receives royalties on SpiNNaker sales. |