arXiv subjects

Hector A. Gonzalez

Publications and source records attributed to Hector A. Gonzalez.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The SpiNNaker2 chip: a many-core platform for flexible and scalable brain-inspired computing

In deep learning, efficiency gets more and more important to compensate for the ongoing growth in model sizes and applications. Neuromorphic hardware has long been advocated as an upcoming alternative to deep networks, taking inspiration from the brain for achieving unprecedented energy efficiency. However, demonstrations of these gains only recently began to grow in complexity and real-world applicability. With SpiNNaker2, we present a chip that bridges the gap between deep networks and neuromorphic computing and allows for flexible exploration of computing approaches that combine both worlds. It features 152 processing elements equipped with an ARM M4F processor and dedicated accelerators, an extended SpiNNaker routing fabric for scalable event-based communication and a range of external interfaces for system integration, including Gbit Ethernet and an LPDDR4 memory interface. We demonstrate performance and efficiency of the SpiNNaker2 chip for neuromorphic and deep network workloads, as well as novel event-based computing approaches. For deep network workloads, the chip achieves up to 4.5 TOPS in high performance mode and up to 2.7 TOPS/W efficiency in high efficiency mode for INT8 workloads. The chip supports spiking neural networks with >150000 neurons and >1.8 billion synaptic events/s when simulated with a 1 ms time step. Its low baseline power of less than 250 mW allows for efficiency even under varying workload conditions, allowing to explore sparse and event-based modes of computation. All this demonstrates the chip's capabilities as a universal hardware platform for scalable brain-inspired computing and its combinations with mainstream deep network approaches.

cs.ET↗

arXiv2025

An End-to-End DNN Inference Framework for the SpiNNaker2 Neuromorphic MPSoC

This work presents a multi-layer DNN scheduling framework as an extension of OctopuScheduler, providing an end-to-end flow from PyTorch models to inference on a single SpiNNaker2 chip. Together with a front-end comprised of quantization and lowering steps, the proposed framework enables the edge-based execution of large and complex DNNs up to transformer scale using the neuromorphic platform SpiNNaker2.

cs.LG↗

arXiv2025

ON-OFF Neuromorphic ISING Machines using Fowler-Nordheim Annealers

We introduce NeuroSA, a neuromorphic architecture specifically designed to ensure asymptotic convergence to the ground state of an Ising problem using a Fowler-Nordheim quantum mechanical tunneling based threshold-annealing process. The core component of NeuroSA consists of a pair of asynchronous ON-OFF neurons, which effectively map classical simulated annealing dynamics onto a network of integrate-and-fire neurons. The threshold of each ON-OFF neuron pair is adaptively adjusted by an FN annealer and the resulting spiking dynamics replicates the optimal escape mechanism and convergence of SA, particularly at low-temperatures. To validate the effectiveness of our neuromorphic Ising machine, we systematically solved benchmark combinatorial optimization problems such as MAX-CUT and Max Independent Set. Across multiple runs, NeuroSA consistently generates distribution of solutions that are concentrated around the state-of-the-art results (within 99%) or surpass the current state-of-the-art solutions for Max Independent Set benchmarks. Furthermore, NeuroSA is able to achieve these superior distributions without any graph-specific hyperparameter tuning. For practical illustration, we present results from an implementation of NeuroSA on the SpiNNaker2 platform, highlighting the feasibility of mapping our proposed architecture onto a standard neuromorphic accelerator platform.

cs.NE↗

arXiv2025

NeuroBench: A Framework for Benchmarking Neuromorphic Computing Algorithms and Systems

Neuromorphic computing shows promise for advancing computing efficiency and capabilities of AI applications using brain-inspired principles. However, the neuromorphic research field currently lacks standardized benchmarks, making it difficult to accurately measure technological advancements, compare performance with conventional methods, and identify promising future research directions. Prior neuromorphic computing benchmark efforts have not seen widespread adoption due to a lack of inclusive, actionable, and iterative benchmark design and guidelines. To address these shortcomings, we present NeuroBench: a benchmark framework for neuromorphic computing algorithms and systems. NeuroBench is a collaboratively-designed effort from an open community of researchers across industry and academia, aiming to provide a representative structure for standardizing the evaluation of neuromorphic approaches. The NeuroBench framework introduces a common set of tools and systematic methodology for inclusive benchmark measurement, delivering an objective reference framework for quantifying neuromorphic approaches in both hardware-independent (algorithm track) and hardware-dependent (system track) settings. In this article, we outline tasks and guidelines for benchmarks across multiple application domains, and present initial performance baselines across neuromorphic and conventional approaches for both benchmark tracks. NeuroBench is intended to continually expand its benchmarks and features to foster and track the progress made by the research community.

cs.AI↗

arXiv2024

Neuromorphic hardware for sustainable AI data centers

As humans advance toward a higher level of artificial intelligence, it is always at the cost of escalating computational resource consumption, which requires developing novel solutions to meet the exponential growth of AI computing demand. Neuromorphic hardware takes inspiration from how the brain processes information and promises energy-efficient computing of AI workloads. Despite its potential, neuromorphic hardware has not found its way into commercial AI data centers. In this article, we try to analyze the underlying reasons for this and derive requirements and guidelines to promote neuromorphic systems for efficient and sustainable cloud computing: We first review currently available neuromorphic hardware systems and collect examples where neuromorphic solutions excel conventional AI processing on CPUs and GPUs. Next, we identify applications, models and algorithms which are commonly deployed in AI data centers as further directions for neuromorphic algorithms research. Last, we derive requirements and best practices for the hardware and software integration of neuromorphic systems into data centers. With this article, we hope to increase awareness of the challenges of integrating neuromorphic hardware into data centers and to guide the community to enable sustainable and energy-efficient AI at scale.

cs.ET↗

arXiv2024

SpiNNaker2: A Large-Scale Neuromorphic System for Event-Based and Asynchronous Machine Learning

The joint progress of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and domain specific hardware accelerators such as GPUs and TPUs took over many domains of machine learning research. This development is accompanied by a rapid growth of the required computational demands for larger models and more data. Concurrently, emerging properties of foundation models such as in-context learning drive new opportunities for machine learning applications. However, the computational cost of such applications is a limiting factor of the technology in data centers, and more importantly in mobile devices and edge systems. To mediate the energy footprint and non-trivial latency of contemporary systems, neuromorphic computing systems deeply integrate computational principles of neurobiological systems by leveraging low-power analog and digital technologies. SpiNNaker2 is a digital neuromorphic chip developed for scalable machine learning. The event-based and asynchronous design of SpiNNaker2 allows the composition of large-scale systems involving thousands of chips. This work features the operating principles of SpiNNaker2 systems, outlining the prototype of novel machine learning applications. These applications range from ANNs over bio-inspired spiking neural networks to generalized event-based neural networks. With the successful development and deployment of SpiNNaker2, we aim to facilitate the advancement of event-based and asynchronous algorithms for future generations of machine learning systems.

cs.ET↗

arXiv2022

Time-coded Spiking Fourier Transform in Neuromorphic Hardware

After several decades of continuously optimizing computing systems, the Moore's law is reaching itsend. However, there is an increasing demand for fast and efficient processing systems that can handlelarge streams of data while decreasing system footprints. Neuromorphic computing answers thisneed by creating decentralized architectures that communicate with binary events over time. Despiteits rapid growth in the last few years, novel algorithms are needed that can leverage the potential ofthis emerging computing paradigm and can stimulate the design of advanced neuromorphic chips.In this work, we propose a time-based spiking neural network that is mathematically equivalent tothe Fourier transform. We implemented the network in the neuromorphic chip Loihi and conductedexperiments on five different real scenarios with an automotive frequency modulated continuouswave radar. Experimental results validate the algorithm, and we hope they prompt the design of adhoc neuromorphic chips that can improve the efficiency of state-of-the-art digital signal processorsand encourage research on neuromorphic computing for signal processing.

cs.NE↗