Wed 20 Jun 2018 11:50 - 12:15 at Grand Ballroom CD - Emerging Hardware Chair(s): Ryan R. Newton

We present a compiler for Loihi, a novel manycore neuromorphic processor that features a programmable, on-chip learning engine for training and executing spiking neural networks (SNNs). An SNN is distinguished from other neural networks in that (1) its independent computing units, or "neurons", communicate with others only through spike messages; and (2) each neuron evaluates local learning rules, which are functions of spike arrival and departure timings, to modify its local state. The collective neuronal state dynamics of an SNN form a nonlinear dynamical system that can be cast as an unconventional model of computation. To realize such an SNN on Loihi requires each constituent neuron to locally store and independently update its own spike timing information. However, each Loihi core has limited resources for this purpose and these must be shared by neurons assigned to the same core. In this work, we present a compiler for Loihi that maps the neurons of an SNN onto and across Loihi's cores efficiently. We show that a poor neuron-to-core mapping can incur significant energy costs and address this with a greedy algorithm that compiles SNNs onto Loihi in a power-efficient manner. In so doing, we highlight the need for further development of compilers for this new, emerging class of architectures.

Wed 20 Jun

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11:00 - 12:15
Emerging HardwarePLDI Research Papers at Grand Ballroom CD
Chair(s): Ryan R. Newton Indiana University
11:00
25m
Talk
Persistency for Synchronization-Free Regions
PLDI Research Papers
Vaibhav Gogte University of Michigan, USA, Stephan Diestelhorst ARM Research, UK, William Wang Arm Research, UK, Satish Narayanasamy University of Michigan, Peter M. Chen University of Michigan, USA, Thomas F. Wenisch University of Michigan, USA
Media Attached
11:25
25m
Talk
Write-Rationing Garbage Collection for Hybrid Memories
PLDI Research Papers
Shoaib Akram Ghent University, Jennifer B. Sartor Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Kathryn S McKinley Google, Lieven Eeckhout Ghent University, Belgium
Media Attached
11:50
25m
Talk
Mapping Spiking Neural Networks onto a Manycore Neuromorphic Architecture
PLDI Research Papers
Chit-Kwan Lin Intel Labs, n.n., Andreas Wild Intel Labs, n.n., Tsung-Han Lin Intel Labs, n.n., Gautham N. Chinya Intel Labs, n.n., Mike Davies Intel Labs, n.n., Hong Wang Intel Labs, n.n.
Media Attached