SEMINAR RESEARCH

ON

ADVANCEMENTS IN NEUROMORPHIC COMPUTING

WRITTEN BY:

ADIWO OKECHUKWU IKENNA

MATRICULATION NUMBER: 20 18/116079 /REGULAR

SUBMITTED TO

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING, FACULTY OF

ENGINEERING, ABIA STATE.

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING DEGREE IN COMPUTER
ENGINEERING.
 Abstract

Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the human brain's architecture, represents

a revolutionary shift in how computers process information. This research
examines recent advancements in neuromorphic systems, focusing on hardware,
algorithms, and applications. Key developments include neuromorphic chips like
Intel's Loihi and IBM's TrueNorth, the integration of spiking neural networks
(SNNs), and the use of emerging materials such as memristors. Applications span
robotics, healthcare, and edge computing, showcasing real-time processing
capabilities with low energy consumption. This study highlights neuromorphic
computing's potential to address challenges in energy efficiency and adaptability,
emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome existing
limitations.
 Acknowledgment

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Griffin Fagbohunmi Siji, for

their guidance and expertise, which have greatly enriched this research. I also
thank the faculty and staff of [Computer Engineering] for their support, and my
peers for their collaborative efforts and constructive feedback. Lastly, my family
and friends deserve special thanks for their unwavering encouragement and
belief in me.
 Dedication

This work is dedicated to the pioneers of innovation who see possibilities beyond
limitations. To my family, whose support fuels my endeavors. To my mentors,
who inspire learning and curiosity, and to the visionaries building the future of
computing.
 Introduction
1.1 Background of Neuromorphic Computing
Neuromorphic computing is a cutting-edge field of study at the intersection of
neuroscience, computer science, and engineering. Unlike traditional computing
systems, which operate on the principles of the von Neumann architecture,
neuromorphic systems are inspired by the structure and functionality of biological
neural networks.

Traditional computing systems process information sequentially, separating

memory and computation units. This approach, while effective for general-
purpose computing, faces significant challenges in tasks requiring real-time
processing, parallel computation, and energy efficiency. Neuromorphic computing
addresses these challenges by mimicking the brain’s architecture, where neurons
and synapses work together seamlessly for high-speed, low-energy information
processing.

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT),
the demand for energy-efficient and real-time computational systems has never
been greater. Neuromorphic computing is uniquely positioned to address this
demand due to its:

 Energy Efficiency: By processing information in an event-driven manner,

neuromorphic systems consume significantly less power than traditional
systems.

 Scalability: The parallel nature of neuromorphic architectures allows for

handling large-scale, complex computations.
  Adaptability: On-chip learning capabilities enable neuromorphic systems to
adapt to new tasks dynamically, making them ideal for autonomous
systems.

The human brain is an unparalleled model of efficiency and adaptability,

operating on only about 20 watts of power while managing billions of neurons
and trillions of synapses. Neuromorphic computing seeks to emulate key aspects
of this biological marvel:

 Neurons: Represent computational units that process and transmit

information.

 Synapses: Enable communication between neurons and adjust based on

activity (plasticity).

 Spiking Activity: Information is transmitted in discrete bursts (spikes),

mimicking the brain’s energy-efficient communication method.

The field has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1980s:

 1980s–1990s: Early systems focused on analog circuits designed to mimic

neural activity.

 2000s: The integration of digital and analog components allowed for more
scalable and robust designs.

 2010s: Development of neuromorphic chips like IBM’s TrueNorth and

Intel’s Loihi marked a turning point, demonstrating the practical potential
of these systems.
  2020s and Beyond: Continued advancements in materials, algorithms, and
applications have positioned neuromorphic computing as a transformative
technology for AI, robotics, and beyond.

The growing complexity of AI tasks has led to an exponential increase in

computational demands, often resulting in:

 High Energy Costs: Training large AI models consumes vast amounts of

energy.

 Latency Issues: Delays in decision-making can be critical in applications like

autonomous vehicles and healthcare.

 Scalability Challenges: Traditional architectures struggle to efficiently scale

for massive parallel processing tasks.

Neuromorphic computing offers solutions to these challenges, making it highly

relevant for applications requiring:

 Real-time adaptability, such as autonomous navigation.

 Long-term sustainability in edge devices, where energy efficiency is crucial.

 Improved performance in AI systems tasked with learning from and

interacting with dynamic environments.

This research aims to:

 Evaluate the performance of neuromorphic systems in real-world

applications.

Contributions of This Paper

  Exploration of Neuromorphic Systems: Provide an in-depth analysis of
state-of-the-art hardware and algorithms, such as Intel Loihi and Spiking
Neural Networks (SNNs).

Literature Review
2.1 Early Development of Neuromorphic Computing
Neuromorphic computing emerged in the 1980s, fueled by the desire to replicate
the brain’s remarkable energy efficiency, parallelism, and adaptability in artificial
systems. This interdisciplinary field brought together insights from neuroscience,
electrical engineering, and computer science.
Pioneering Work
 Carver Mead (1989) is credited with founding the field by coining the term
“neuromorphic” and demonstrating how analog VLSI (Very Large-Scale
Integration) circuits could be used to mimic biological neurons and
synapses. His foundational work introduced silicon neurons that operated
with continuous voltage signals instead of binary logic, forming the basis for
neuromorphic hardware.
o Relevance: Mead’s circuits provided a biological alternative to
conventional computing architectures, opening the door for
hardware-based brain-like computation.
 Mahowald and Douglas (1991) expanded on Mead's ideas by building more
biologically accurate silicon retinas and cortical models. Their work showed
that vision processing could be implemented in hardware, demonstrating
neuromorphic design’s capability in sensory processing.
Motivation
 Researchers such as Von der Malsburg (1993) emphasized the limitations of
von Neumann architectures—particularly the memory bottleneck and high
energy consumption—in simulating brain-like processing. These limitations
 encouraged a shift toward integrated memory and computation, inspired
by the architecture of the human brain.
2.2 Advancements in Neuromorphic Hardware
Recent decades have seen the development of neuromorphic hardware platforms
that bring theoretical models to life, achieving low-power, event-driven, and
parallel computing.
IBM TrueNorth
 Developed by Merolla et al. (2014) at IBM, TrueNorth marked a major leap
in neuromorphic engineering by simulating over 1 million neurons and 256
million synapses on a single chip.
o Contribution: The chip demonstrated real-time object recognition
with ultra-low power (70 mW), validating the practical efficiency of
neuromorphic systems.
o Relevance: Enabled applications in embedded vision systems and
autonomous sensing.
Intel Loihi
 Introduced by Davies et al. (2018), Intel’s Loihi featured programmable
spiking neural networks with on-chip learning capabilities.
o Contribution: Loihi’s spike-based learning and self-adaptation
positioned it as ideal for robotics and adaptive control applications.
o Relevance: Enabled real-time decision-making in environments
requiring rapid response to changes.
BrainScaleS
 A research initiative led by Schemmel et al. (2010) at the University of
Heidelberg, BrainScaleS combines analog circuits for neuron dynamics with
digital communication, enabling faster-than-real-time simulation of spiking
activity.
o Relevance: Ideal for experimental neuroscience and algorithm
testing, especially in biological modeling.
Emerging Materials
 Memristors (Strukov et al., 2008) were proposed as compact alternatives to
synapses by mimicking synaptic plasticity through resistance changes.
  Spintronics (Behin-Aein et al., 2010) and phase-change materials (Kuzum et
al., 2011) further introduced non-CMOS technologies that enhance the
scalability and power efficiency of neuromorphic systems.
2.3 Neuromorphic Algorithms and Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs)
Spiking Neural Networks
Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) represent the third generation of neural network
models, incorporating temporal coding to mimic the timing-based communication
used in biological neurons.
 Maass (1997) emphasized the computational advantages of SNNs, showing
that they could compute functions not efficiently solvable by traditional
ANNs.
o Relevance: Justified the use of spike timing and event-driven
processing for efficient temporal data analysis.
Learning Rules
 Hebbian Learning (Hebb, 1949): A biological principle where repeated co-
activation strengthens synapses. This rule forms the basis of unsupervised
learning in neuromorphic systems.
 Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP): A more refined model introduced
by Bi and Poo (1998), STDP adjusts synaptic strength based on the timing of
spikes, improving learning fidelity and mimicking synaptic plasticity
observed in biological systems.
Applications
 Researchers like Bohte et al. (2002) applied SNNs to speech and motion
recognition, demonstrating their superiority in handling spatiotemporal
patterns.
 Indiveri and Liu (2015) showcased SNN-based robotic control systems that
responded to environmental cues with minimal computational overhead.
2.4 Applications of Neuromorphic Systems
Neuromorphic systems are now being applied in various domains due to their
real-time adaptability, event-driven processing, and energy efficiency.
Robotics
 Indiveri et al. (2011) developed robotic systems using neuromorphic vision
sensors and motor controllers, enabling robots to navigate environments
using visual feedback.
  Example: Neurobotics platforms use TrueNorth or Loihi chips to enable
adaptive locomotion and obstacle avoidance.
Healthcare
 Cassidy et al. (2013) explored brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) using
neuromorphic circuits to decode brain signals for prosthetic limb control.
 Researchers like Spencer et al. (2019) worked on epilepsy detection using
spiking networks that identify abnormal brain wave patterns in real-time.
Edge AI
 Chicca et al. (2014) applied neuromorphic chips in low-power wearable
sensors, smart hearing aids, and autonomous vehicles, showcasing the
feasibility of deploying SNNs in constrained environments.
2.5 Challenges in Neuromorphic Computing
Despite advancements, neuromorphic systems face several limitations, many of
which are highlighted by recent research:
Scalability
 Roy et al. (2019) pointed out the difficulty of scaling neuromorphic systems
while maintaining connectivity and power efficiency. Inter-chip
communication and neuron-synapse density remain limiting factors.
Software Limitations
 A lack of standardized development frameworks has been noted by Davies
et al. (2021). Platforms like NEST, Brian, and PyNN help simulate SNNs, but
integrating them with hardware remains challenging.
Data Translation
 Pfeiffer and Pfeil (2018) discussed the need for tools that translate
traditional sensory inputs (e.g., video frames) into spike trains. Efficient
encoding and decoding mechanisms are critical for effective deployment.

This literature review highlights how pioneering researchers and recent

technological advancements have shaped the evolution of neuromorphic
computing—from Carver Mead’s early analog circuits to the programmable,
event-driven processors of today like Loihi and BrainScaleS. While promising,
challenges like software standardization, scalability, and spike-data translation
remain open issues. This research aims to build upon these foundations by
identifying gaps, proposing solutions, and highlighting future directions for
inclusive and robust neuromorphic system development.

Methodology
3.1 Research Approach

The research focuses on evaluating neuromorphic systems for energy efficiency,

scalability, and adaptability. A combination of hardware experiments, simulations,
and real-world implementations was employed.

3.2 Key Methodological Steps

Step 1: Selection of Neuromorphic Platforms

 Hardware: Intel Loihi and IBM TrueNorth for their advanced neuromorphic
capabilities.

 Software: Simulation tools such as NEST and PyNN for modeling SNNs.

Step 2: Simulation Setup

 Dataset: A spike-converted MNIST dataset for image recognition tasks.

 Task: Image classification to evaluate accuracy and energy consumption.

  Metrics: Performance metrics included accuracy, power consumption, and
latency.

Step 3: Hardware Experiments

 Real-world task: Autonomous navigation using Intel Loihi in a robotic

platform.

 Evaluation: Measured adaptability to dynamic obstacles and changes in the

environment.

Step 4: Comparative Analysis

 Traditional deep learning models (e.g., convolutional neural networks) were

used as benchmarks to compare performance.

Step 5: Energy Efficiency and Latency

 Power consumption was measured during tasks such as image recognition

and robotic navigation.

3.3 Case Study: Intel Loihi in Autonomous Robotics

 Setup: Loihi was integrated with a robotic platform for navigation.

 Performance:

o Handled dynamic obstacle avoidance with high accuracy.

o Demonstrated real-time adaptability to changes in the environment.

 Energy Consumption: Operated at a fraction of the energy required by

traditional systems.
3.4 Challenges Encountered

 Scalability: Expanding SNNs to simulate complex tasks led to higher

computational demands.

 Simulation Limitations: Modeling realistic spiking behaviors required

extensive computational resources.

 Integration Issues: Adapting traditional AI workflows to spike-based

systems remains challenging.
 Summary, Recommendations, and Conclusion

4.1 Summary

This research has explored the field of neuromorphic computing, tracing its
evolution, examining its advancements, and evaluating its potential applications.
The study highlighted key developments in neuromorphic hardware, such as
IBM’s TrueNorth and Intel’s Loihi, which leverage spiking neural networks (SNNs)
to emulate biological neural systems. These advancements have enabled
significant breakthroughs in real-time processing, energy efficiency, and
adaptability.

Key Findings:

 Energy Efficiency: Neuromorphic systems consume substantially less power

compared to traditional von Neumann architectures, making them ideal for
edge AI and IoT devices.

 Adaptability: On-chip learning allows neuromorphic systems to dynamically

adjust to new tasks without retraining, crucial for robotics and real-time
applications.

 Scalability Challenges: While neuromorphic architectures offer parallel

processing, scaling them for large and complex tasks remains a challenge
due to hardware and software limitations.

 Applications: The research identified promising use cases in robotics,

healthcare, edge computing, and autonomous systems, demonstrating
neuromorphic computing's versatility and potential to address real-world
problems.

4.2 Recommendations
To fully realize the potential of neuromorphic computing, the following
recommendations are proposed:

1. Accelerate Research in Hardware Development

 Invest in Emerging Materials: Support research into advanced materials like

memristors and spintronics to enhance the efficiency and scalability of
neuromorphic chips.

 Focus on Hybrid Systems: Explore hybrid architectures combining analog

and digital components to balance accuracy and power consumption.

2. Develop Standardized Software Ecosystems

 Programming Frameworks: Create standardized programming tools and

libraries tailored for neuromorphic systems, similar to TensorFlow and
PyTorch for traditional AI.

 Simulation Tools: Enhance simulation platforms like NEST and PyNN to

support large-scale and high-fidelity neuromorphic modeling.

3. Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration

 Neuroscience and Engineering: Encourage partnerships between

neuroscientists and engineers to improve the biological fidelity of
neuromorphic systems.

 AI and Robotics: Collaborate across AI and robotics domains to develop

adaptive control systems leveraging neuromorphic hardware.

4. Address Ethical and Societal Implications

 Energy Sustainability: Promote the adoption of neuromorphic systems in

energy-intensive AI tasks to reduce environmental impact.
  Accessibility: Ensure equitable access to neuromorphic technologies,
particularly for researchers and developers in underrepresented regions.

5. Expand Applications in Low-Resource Environments

 Edge Computing: Deploy neuromorphic systems in regions with limited

energy resources to power IoT devices and smart infrastructure.

 Healthcare: Focus on developing affordable, neuromorphic-powered

medical devices for diagnostic and assistive purposes.

4.3 Conclusion

Neuromorphic computing represents a paradigm shift in how computational

systems are designed and operated. By mimicking the brain's structure and
function, neuromorphic architectures achieve unparalleled energy efficiency and
adaptability, positioning them as a transformative technology for future AI and
edge computing applications.
 References

 Mead, C. (1990). Neuromorphic electronic systems. Proceedings

of the IEEE.

 Intel Corporation. (2022). Loihi 2 Technical Overview.

 IBM Research. (2021). Advancements in Neuromorphic Systems.

 Vogels, T. P., & Abbott, L. F. (2005). Signal propagation and

logic gating in networks of integrate-and-fire neurons.