FPGA-based experiments for demonstrating bi-stability in tabu learning neuron model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based neuron circuit to mimic dynamical behaviors of tabu learning neuron model. Design/methodology/approach Numerical investigations for the tabu learning neuron model show the coexisting behaviors of bi-stability. To reproduce the numerical results by hardware experiments, a digitally FPGA-based neuron circuit is constructed by pure floating-point operations to guarantee high computational accuracy. Based on the common floating-point operators provided by Xilinx Vivado software, the specific functions used in the neuron model are designed in hardware description language programs. Thus, by using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm and loading the specific functions orderly, the tabu learning neuron model is implemented on the Xilinx FPGA board. Findings With the variation of the activation gradient, the initial-related coexisting attractors with bi-stability are found in the tabu learning neuron model, which are experimentally demonstrated by a digitally FPGA-based neuron circuit. Originality/value Without any piecewise linear approximations, a digitally FPGA-based neuron circuit is implemented using pure floating-point operations, from which the initial conditions-related coexisting behaviors are experimentally demonstrated in the tabu learning neuron model.