From: J. Andrew Rogers (andrew@ceruleansystems.com)
Date: Mon Apr 10 2006 - 15:07:06 MDT
On Apr 6, 2006, at 4:54 PM, Neil H. wrote:
> It's thought that the neurons used for interaural time-difference
> detection in birds (for sound localization) primarily function as
> delay lines. Of course, it's also possible that they have other
> functionalities besides providing variable time delays.
Delay lines + summing are the functional primitives of signal
processing generally. In silicon we have clever high-level algorithms
that make better use of that substrate, but under the theoretical
hood you'll find delay lines and summing. If you have support for
these primitives, and neurons provide both in hardware, you have all
the tools you need -- wire them to suit.
One can do a hell of a lot with remarkably simple primitives. It
would be strange to think that evolution created excellent building
blocks and then never exploited what groups of those building blocks
are capable of.
J. Andrew Rogers
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