Theoretical Analysis for Efficient Design of a Piecewise Constant Spiking Neuron Model

A piecewise constant spiking neuron model is a simple electronic hardware neuron model, which can exhibit various neuronlike behaviors. In this brief, theoretical formulas of nonlinear input-output (I-O) characteristics of the model and corresponding parameter conditions are provided. Then, an efficient parameter search algorithm, which wisely utilizes the theoretical analysis results, is presented. It is shown that the algorithm enables the model to reproduce given nonlinear I-O characteristics of a neuron efficiently. Also, real circuit experiments validate the reproduction of the given characteristics.