Abstract: A neural net architecture provides for the recognition of an input signal which is a rate variant of a learned signal pattern, reducing the neural net training requirements. The duration of a digital sampling of the input signal is scaled by a time-scaling network, creating a multiplicity of scaled signals which are then compared to memorized signal patterns contained in a self-organizing feature map. The feature map outputs values which indicate how well the scaled input signals match various learned signal patterns. A comparator determines which one of the values is greatest, thus indicating a best match between the input signal and one of the learned signal patterns.