(Thurs. 2/9): Carver Mead on Neural VLSI

[Mark Gluck]

            Stanford University Interdisciplinary Colloquium Series:
                   Adaptive Networks and their Applications

                        Feb. 9th (Thursday, 3:30pm):
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                        -- Note new room: 380-380X --
     
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                        VLSI Models of Neural Networks

                                CARVER MEAD
                      Moore Professor of Computer Science
                          Calif. Inst. of Technology
                            Pasadena, CA  91125
                              (818) 356 -6841

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                                  Abstract

Semiconductor technology has evolved to the point where chips
containing a million transistors can be fabricated without defects.
If a small number of defects can be tolerated, this number is
increased by two orders of magnitude.  Devices now being fabricated
on an experimental basis have shown that another two orders of
magnitude are possible.  The inescapable conclusion is that wafers
containing 10**10 devices, of which only a vanishing fraction
are defective, will be in production within a few years.  This 
level of complexity is well below that required for higher cortical
functions, but is already sufficient to solve lower level
perception tasks.

This remarkable technology has made possible a new discipline:
Synthetic Neurobiology.  The thesis of this discipline is that it is 
not possible, even in principle, to claim a full understanding of a
system unless one is able to build one that functions properly.  This
principle is already well accepted in mollecular biology, and more
recently in genetics.  It is hoped that the approach will soon join
the traditional descriptive and analytical foundations of
neurobiology.

Small examples using current technology to attack problems in early
vision and hearing will be described.

     
                          Additional Information
                          ----------------------

Location: Room 380-380X, which can be reached through the lower level
       between the Psychology and Mathematical Sciences buildings. 
Technical Level: These talks will be technically oriented and are intended 
       for persons actively working in related areas. They are not intended
       for the newcomer seeking general introductory material. 
Mailing lists: To be added to the network mailing list, netmail to
       netlist at psych.stanford.edu. For additional information, or contact
       Mark Gluck (gluck at psych.stanford.edu).
     
  Co-Sponsored by: Departments of Electrical Engineering (B. Widrow) and
       Psychology (D. Rumelhart, M. Pavel, M. Gluck), Stanford Univ.