What a difference a zero makes; a comparison between -1,1 and 0,1 networks

Neural networks with binary units which may take the states -1 (quiescent) or +1 (active) have been under investigation since the early 1980s. Networks with possible unit states 0, 1, however, have been largely ignored, despite their better representation of biological neurons. A biological neuron either releasing transmitter or not, which is more appropriately modelled by “on-off” or 0,1 units than -1,1 units. In this paper, 0,1 networks are examined both analytically and through simulation and compared to the -1,1 type. The advantages and limitations,of both network types, for applications as well as biological simulation, are discussed