An Analog Memory Circuit for Spiking Silicon Neurons

A simple circuit is described that functions as an analog memory whose state and dynamics are directly controlled by pulsatile inputs. The circuit has been incorporated into a silicon neuron with a spatially extensive dendritic tree as a means of controlling the spike firing threshold of an integrate-and-fire soma. Spiking activity generated by the neuron itself and by other units in a network can thereby regulate the neuron's excitability over time periods ranging from milliseconds to many minutes. Experimental results are presented showing applications to temporal edge sharpening, bistable behavior, and a network that learns in the manner of classical conditioning.