A Dynamic Routing Algorithm for a Bio-inspired Reconfigurable Circuit

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper we present a new dynamic routing algorithm specially implemented for a new electronic tissue called POEtic. This reconfigurable circuit is designed to ease the implementation of bio-inspired systems that bring cellular applications into play. Specifically designed for implementing cellular applications, such as neural networks, this circuit is composed of two main parts: a two-dimensional array of basic elements similar to those found in common commercial FPGAs, and a two-dimensional array of routing units that implement a dynamic routing algorithm which allows the creation of data paths between cells at runtime.

The Perplexus bio-inspired reconfigurable circuit

“…However the hardware overhead of this kind of algorithms is not suitable for the granularity of the reconfigurable array. Therefore, we will implement a dynamic routing algorithm, by improving the routing implemented in the POEtic chip [15]. The risk of congestion will be reduced by means of two features.…”

Hardware spiking neural network with run-time reconfigurable connectivity in an autonomous robot

“…Furthermore the POEtic circuit has a dynamical routing mechanism through which connections betwen components can be built automatically and at run-time [20,27]. The dynamical routing can be launched by the logic elements, not only by an external controller.…”

A Move Processor for Bio-Inspired Systems

“…The unit can then autonomously set up the communication channel and transmit (or receive) the data. This key feature of the TTA approach implies that the connection network can be arbitrarily complex, as it is handled by the CUs without directly affecting the structure of the processor itself, and opens the way to the use of complex routing algorithms (e.g., dynamic routing networks [23]) that allow us to adapt the structure of the array to the application. As we will see, the prototype described in this article does not exploit this feature, but work is ongoing to implement more complex connection schemes such as those needed, for example, by artificial neural networks.…”

“…The second contribution is more directly technological: by implementing in the circuit a dynamic routing network [23], it becomes unnecessary to explicitly define the connections between cells. Communication channels are set up dynamically at runtime using an address-based mechanism: a channel can be created (or destroyed) during the operation of the circuit by setting an address register to some value (stored in memory or computed by the cell) and launching the routing process.…”