NeuroCOLT

Neural Networks and Computational Learning Theory

 

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NeuroCOLT Technical Report NC-TR-96-013

Lower Bounds for the Computational Power of Networks of Spiking Neurons

Wolfgang Maass
Institute for Theoretical Computer Science
Technische Universitaet Graz
Austria

Abstract
We investigate the computational power of a formal model for networks of spiking neurons. It is shown that simple operations on phase-differences between spike-trains provide a very powerful computational tool that can in principle be used to carry out highly complex computations on a small network of spiking neurons. We construct networks of spiking neurons that simulate arbitrary threshold circuits, Turing machines, and a certain type of random access machines with real valued inputs. We also show that relatively weak basic assumptions about the response- and threshold-functions of the spiking neurons are sufficient in order to employ them for such computations.

 

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