Neural net development: implications of microelectronics fabrication technology

A brief historical and technological perspective on neural networks is presented along with emphasis on DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) interest in this area. The authors describe the DARPA format they believe is a very appropriate one to bring into perspective the diverse interests and capabilities, requirements; research, proposals, and speculations on neural nets. In this format, computational capacity is presented on a graph of (weighted) interconnects against the rate at which the interconnects can cycle (storage versus speed). A significant class of simulations is seen that should be possible with VLSI/VHSIC technology