Advanced vision processing systems: Spike-based simulation and processing

Abstract

In this paper we briefly summarize the fundamental properties of spike events processing applied to artificial vision systems. This sensing and processing technology is capable of very high speed throughput, because it does not rely on sensing and processing sequences of frames, and because it allows for complex hierarchically structured neuro-cortical-like layers for sophisticated processing. The paper describes briefly cortex-like spike event vision processing principles, and the AER (Address Event Representation) technique used in hardware spiking systems. In this paper we present a simulation AER tool that we have developed entirely in Visual C++ 6.0. We have validated it using real AER stimulus and comparing the outputs with real outputs obtained from AER-based devices. With this tool we can predict the eventual performance of AER-based systems, before the technology becomes mature enough to allow such large systems. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.