Patents by Inventor Paul A. Merolla

Paul A. Merolla has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180103448
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for scaling multi-core neurosynaptic networks. The system comprises multiple network circuits. Each network circuit comprises a plurality of neurosynaptic core circuits. Each core circuit comprises multiple electronic neurons interconnected with multiple electronic axons via a plurality of electronic synapse devices. An interconnect fabric couples the network circuits. Each network circuit has at least one network interface. Each network interface for each network circuit enables data exchange between the network circuit and another network circuit by tagging each data packet from the network circuit with corresponding routing information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Patent number: 9940302
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to processor arrays, and in particular, a processor array with interconnect circuits for bonding semiconductor dies. One embodiment comprises multiple semiconductor dies and at least one interconnect circuit for exchanging signals between the dies. Each die comprises at least one processor core circuit. Each interconnect circuit corresponds to a die of the processor array. Each interconnect circuit comprises one or more attachment pads for interconnecting a corresponding die with another die, and at least one multiplexor structure configured for exchanging bus signals in a reversed order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, John E. Barth, Jr., Andrew S. Cassidy, Subramanian S. Iyer, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Publication number: 20180082173
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising at least one data-to-spike converter unit for converting input numeric data received by the system to spike event data. Each data-to-spike converter unit is configured to support one or more spike codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Steven K. Esser, Myron D. Flickner, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada, Benjamin G. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20180082174
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising at least one spike-to-data converter unit for converting spike event data generated by neurons to output numeric data. Each spike-to-data converter unit is configured to support one or more spike codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Steven K. Esser, Myron D. Flickner, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada, Benjamin G. Shaw
  • Patent number: 9924490
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for scaling multi-core neurosynaptic networks. The system comprises multiple network circuits. Each network circuit comprises a plurality of neurosynaptic core circuits. Each core circuit comprises multiple electronic neurons interconnected with multiple electronic axons via a plurality of electronic synapse devices. An interconnect fabric couples the network circuits. Each network circuit has at least one network interface. Each network interface for each network circuit enables data exchange between the network circuit and another network circuit by tagging each data packet from the network circuit with corresponding routing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Publication number: 20180075340
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for mapping a bipartite graph onto a neuromorphic architecture comprising of a plurality of interconnected neuromorphic core circuits. The graph includes a set of source nodes and a set of target nodes. The method comprises, for each source node, creating a corresponding splitter construct configured to duplicate input. Each splitter construct comprises a first portion of a core circuit. The method further comprises, for each target node, creating a corresponding merger construct configured to combine input. Each merger construct comprises a second portion of a core circuit. Source nodes and target nodes are connected based on a permutation of an interconnect network interconnecting the core circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Arnon Amir, Pallab Datta, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha
  • Patent number: 9886662
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising at least one spike-to-data converter unit for converting spike event data generated by neurons to output numeric data. Each spike-to-data converter unit is configured to support one or more spike codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Steven K. Esser, Myron D. Flickner, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada, Benjamin G. Shaw
  • Patent number: 9881252
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a system comprising at least one data-to-spike converter unit for converting input numeric data received by the system to spike event data. Each data-to-spike converter unit is configured to support one or more spike codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Steven K. Esser, Myron D. Flickner, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada, Benjamin G. Shaw
  • Patent number: 9852006
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a neural network circuit comprising a memory block for maintaining neuronal data for multiple neurons, a scheduler for maintaining incoming firing events targeting the neurons, and a computational logic unit for updating the neuronal data for the neurons by processing the firing events. The network circuit further comprises at least one permutation logic unit enabling data exchange between the computational logic unit and at least one of the memory block and the scheduler. The network circuit further comprises a controller for controlling the computational logic unit, the memory block, the scheduler, and each permutation logic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Filipp A. Akopyan, Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Patent number: 9852370
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for mapping a bipartite graph onto a neuromorphic architecture comprising of a plurality of interconnected neuromorphic core circuits. The graph includes a set of source nodes and a set of target nodes. The method comprises, for each source node, creating a corresponding splitter construct configured to duplicate input. Each splitter construct comprises a first portion of a core circuit. The method further comprises, for each target node, creating a corresponding merger construct configured to combine input. Each merger construct comprises a second portion of a core circuit. Source nodes and target nodes are connected based on a permutation of an interconnect network interconnecting the core circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arnon Amir, Pallab Datta, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha
  • Patent number: 9818058
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a time-division multiplexed neurosynaptic module with implicit memory addressing for implementing a universal substrate of adaptation. One embodiment comprises a neurosynaptic device including a memory device that maintains neuron attributes for multiple neurons. The module further includes multiple bit maps that maintain incoming firing events for different periods of delay and a multi-way processor. The processor includes a memory array that maintains a plurality of synaptic weights. The processor integrates incoming firing events in a time-division multiplexing manner. Incoming firing events are integrated based on the neuron attributes and the synaptic weights maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John V. Arthur, Bernard V. Brezzo, Leland Chang, Daniel J. Friedman, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Robert K. Montoye, Jae-sun Seo, Jose A. Tierno
  • Patent number: 9797946
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a scan test system for an integrated circuit comprising multiple processing elements. The system comprises at least one scan input component and at least one scan clock component. Each scan input component is configured to provide a scan input to at least two processing elements. Each scan clock component is configured to provide a scan clock signal to at least two processing elements. The system further comprises at least one scan select component for selectively enabling a scan of at least one processing element. Each processing element is configured to scan in a scan input and scan out a scan output when said the processing element is scan-enabled. The system further comprises an exclusive-OR tree comprising multiple exclusive-OR logic gates. The said exclusive-OR tree generates a parity value representing a parity of all scan outputs scanned out from all scan-enabled processing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Patent number: 9792251
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an array of processor core circuits with reversible tiers. One embodiment comprises multiple tiers of core circuits and multiple switches for routing packets between the core circuits. Each tier comprises at least one core circuit. Each switch comprises multiple router channels for routing packets in different directions relative to the switch, and at least one routing circuit configured for reversing a logical direction of at least one router channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, John E. Barth, Jr., Andrew S. Cassidy, Subramanian S. Iyer, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Publication number: 20170286825
    Abstract: A multiplexed neural core circuit according to one embodiment comprises, for an integer multiplexing factor T that is greater than zero, T sets of electronic neurons, T sets of electronic axons, where each set of the T sets of electronic axons corresponds to one of the T sets of electronic neurons, and a synaptic interconnection network comprising a plurality of electronic synapses that each interconnect a single electronic axon to a single electronic neuron, where the interconnection network interconnects each set of the T sets of electronic axons to its corresponding set of electronic neurons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Filipp A. Akopyan, Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Steven K. Esser, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Patent number: 9747545
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a system for controlling program execution. The system comprises an event-based core controller including a set of state-preserving elements. The core controller starts and stops the program execution based on one or more control signals. For each instruction of the program, the core controller triggers a target component to execute the instruction by generating and sending an instruction and/or a trigger pulse to the target component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Filipp A. Akopyan, Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Publication number: 20170199241
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a scan test system for an integrated circuit comprising multiple processing elements. The system comprises at least one scan input component and at least one scan clock component. Each scan input component is configured to provide a scan input to at least two processing elements. Each scan clock component is configured to provide a scan clock signal to at least two processing elements. The system further comprises at least one scan select component for selectively enabling a scan of at least one processing element. Each processing element is configured to scan in a scan input and scan out a scan output when said the processing element is scan-enabled. The system further comprises an exclusive-OR tree comprising multiple exclusive-OR logic gates. The said exclusive-OR tree generates a parity value representing a parity of all scan outputs scanned out from all scan-enabled processing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Patent number: 9704094
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method comprising defining a brainlet representing a platform-agnostic network of neurons, synapses, and axons. The method further comprises compiling the brainlet into a corelet for mapping onto neurosynaptic substrate, and mapping the corelet onto the neurosynaptic substrate. The corelet is compatible with one or more conditions related to the neurosynaptic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arnon Amir, David J. Berg, Pallab Datta, Myron D. Flickner, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Benjamin G. Shaw, Brian S. Taba
  • Publication number: 20170124024
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an array of processor core circuits with reversible tiers. One embodiment comprises multiple tiers of core circuits and multiple switches for routing packets between the core circuits. Each tier comprises at least one core circuit. Each switch comprises multiple router channels for routing packets in different directions relative to the switch, and at least one routing circuit configured for reversing a logical direction of at least one router channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, John E. Barth, JR., Andrew S. Cassidy, Subramanian S. Iyer, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada
  • Publication number: 20170076197
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a globally asynchronous and locally synchronous neuromorphic network. One embodiment comprises generating a synchronization signal that is distributed to a plurality of neural core circuits. In response to the synchronization signal, in at least one core circuit, incoming spike events maintained by said at least one core circuit are processed to generate an outgoing spike event. Spike events are asynchronously communicated between the core circuits via a routing fabric comprising multiple asynchronous routers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha
  • Publication number: 20170068885
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system comprising a memory device for maintaining deterministic neural data relating to a digital neuron and a logic circuit for deterministic neural computation and stochastic neural computation. Deterministic neural computation comprises processing a neuronal state of the neuron based on the deterministic neural data maintained. Stochastic neural computation comprises generating stochastic neural data relating to the neuron and processing the neuronal state of the neuron based on the stochastic neural data generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Bryan L. Jackson, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha, Jun Sawada