Object oriented VLSI design automation for pulse coded neural networks

Pulse coded neural networks employ special purpose mixed signal circuits which emulate to varying degrees the temporal behavior of natural neurons. It has long been difficult to verify pulse coded neural network implementations of significant complexity prior to fabrication using conventional design automation tools. In this paper, we introduce SPINACH, an objected oriented solution to the problems of pulse-coded neural network hardware simulation and synthesis. SPINACH is a C++ object library intended for the specification and simulation of pulse-coded neural network hardware. As such, it fulfils the purpose of a specialized mixed-signal hardware description language (HDL) complete with both large-scale simulation capabilities and also circuit synthesis when combined with a commercial VLSI design system