# Synaptic Delays for Temporal Feature Detection in Dynamic Neuromorphic Processors

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1906.12282 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1906.12282/

## Key facts

- Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 28 Jun 2019.

## Built on by (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Seeing Beyond the Brain: Conditional Diffusion Model with Sparse Masked Modeling for Vision Decoding](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2211.06956/) (2022)
- [Hybrid SNN-ANN: Energy-Efficient Classification and Object Detection for Event-Based Vision](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2112.03423/) (2021)
- [Spatiotemporal Pattern Recognition in Single Mixed-Signal VLSI Neurons with Heterogeneous Dynamic Synapses](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2106.05686/) (2021)
- [Towards efficient keyword spotting using spike-based time difference encoders](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.15402/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Spiking neural networks implemented in dynamic neuromorphic processors are well suited for spatiotemporal feature detection and learning, for example in ultra low-power embedded intelligence and deep edge applications. Such pattern recognition networks naturally involve a combination of dynamic delay mechanisms and coincidence detection. Inspired by an auditory feature detection circuit in crickets, featuring a delayed excitation by postinhibitory rebound, we investigate disynaptic delay elements formed by inhibitory-excitatory pairs of dynamic synapses. We configure such disynaptic delay elements in the DYNAP-SE neuromorphic processor and characterize the distribution of delayed excitations resulting from device mismatch. Furthermore, we present a network that mimics the auditory feature detection circuit of crickets and demonstrate how varying synapse weights, input noise and processor temperature affects the circuit. Interestingly, we find that the disynaptic delay elements can be configured such that the timing and magnitude of the delayed postsynaptic excitation depend mainly on the efficacy of the inhibitory and excitatory synapses, respectively. Delay elements of this kind can be implemented in other reconfigurable dynamic neuromorphic processors and opens up for synapse level temporal feature tuning with large fan-in and flexible delays of order 10-100 ms.