Submitted:
05 August 2025
Posted:
07 August 2025
You are already at the latest version
Abstract
Keywords:
Introduction
PWM-Based Spike Generation for Timing Precision
STDP Learning Acceleration via Early Termination
Event-Based Spike Detection for Neuromorphic iBMIs
ANN-to-SNN Conversion Optimization via Phase Coding
Memristor-Based Neuron Circuits for Robustness
Comparative Analysis of Recent SNN Advancements
- Accuracy
- Energy/Computation Cost
- Spike Efficiency
- Hardware Suitability
Comparative Summary of Techniques
| Paper/ Technique | Accuracy Impact | Power/Computational Cost | Spike Efficiency | Hardware-Friendliness |
| PWM-Based Spike Gen [6] | Neutral (inference level) | Reduced timing errors | Maintains timing | Memristor-compatible |
| STDP Early Termination [7] | Slight 0.35% drop | ~50% reduction | Training optimized | Digital & analog |
| SNN-SPD iBMI [9] | +2% over ANN-SPD | 0.41% compute of ANN-SPD | Highly sparse | Implant-grade (biomedical) |
| One-Spike Coding [8] | ~0.5% loss (avg) | 4.6 – 17.3 times more energy saving | Single spike per neuron | ANN-to-SNN integration |
| RBSN Memristor [10] | 30% increase in adversarial settings | Low-power TS memristors | Moderate (by design) | Fabricated in SPICE |
Spike Encoding Comparison
STDP Learning Efficiency with Early Termination
Trade-Offs in SNN Design
Hardware Bottlenecks
Algorithmic Limitations
Future Opportunities
- Algorithm-Hardware Co-design: Zhang et al. introduced a method for quantized ANN-to-SNN mapping with hardware-aware threshold adjustment [33].
- Self-Supervised Learning for SNNs: Mostafa et al. [34] demonstrated contrastive learning strategies in spike-based networks, reducing reliance on labeled data.
- Federated SNN Training: Tang et al. proposed asynchronous federated learning for neuromorphic edge nodes using STDP [35].
- SNN Transformers: Emerging research is beginning to combine spike-based attention modules with convolutional SNNs [36].

Related Work Summary
Conclusion
Data Availability Statement
References
- W. Maass. Networks of spiking neurons: The third generation of neural network models. Neural Networks 1997, 10, 1659–1671. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- S. B. Furber et al. . The SpiNNaker Project. Proceedings of the IEEE 2014, 102, 652–665. [Google Scholar]
- P. A. Merolla et al. . A million spiking-neuron integrated circuit with a scalable communication network and interface. Science 2014, 345, 668–673. [Google Scholar]
- M. Davies et al.. Loihi: A neuromorphic manycore processor with on-chip learning. IEEE Micro 2018, 38, 82–99. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- S. B. Furber and F. Galluppi. A New Approach to Computational Neuroscience: Modeling the Brain on a Chip. IEEE Pulse 2012, 3, 38–43. [Google Scholar]
- J. Jo, K. J. Jo, K. Sim, S. Sim, and J. Jun. A Pulse Width Modulation-Based Spike Generator to Eliminate Timing Errors in Spiking Neural Networks. in *Proc. Int. Conf. on Electronics, Information, and Communication (ICEIC) 2025, 1–4.
- CL Kok, CK Ho, L Chen, YY Koh, B Tian. A novel predictive modeling for student attrition utilizing machine learning and sustainable big data analytics. Applied Sciences.
- S. Hwang and J. Kung. One-Spike SNN: Single-Spike Phase Coding With Base Manipulation for ANN-to-SNN Conversion Loss Minimization. IEEE Trans. Emerging Topics in Computing 2025, 13, 162–175. [Google Scholar]
- C. Hwang et al.. Event-based Neural Spike Detection Using Spiking Neural Networks for Neuromorphic iBMI Systems. in *Proc. IEEE ISCAS.
- Z. Wu et al.. Threshold Switching Memristor-Based Radial-Based Spiking Neuron Circuit for Conversion-Based Spiking Neural Networks Adversarial Attack Improvement. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. II, Exp. Briefs 2024, 71, 1446–1449. [Google Scholar]
- C. Deng and S. Yu. Time-based spiking neuron circuits for neuromorphic computing: A review. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. I 2020, 67, 2521–2534. [Google Scholar]
- M. Sharifzadeh, A. A. Ahmadi, and A. Payandeh. A phase-encoded neuromorphic architecture using VCO-based neurons. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. I 2022, 69, 5001–5013. [Google Scholar]
- KHH Aung, CL Kok, YY Koh, TH Teo. An embedded machine learning fault detection system for electric fan drive. Electronics.
- Tavanaei, M. Ghodrati, S. R. Kheradpisheh, T. Masquelier, and A. Maida. Deep learning in spiking neural networks. Neural Networks 2019, 111, 47–63. [Google Scholar]
- J. Kheradpisheh and T. Masquelier. Temporal backpropagation for training deep spiking neural networks. Front. Neurosci. 2020, 14, 1–15. [Google Scholar]
- F. Akbarzadeh, J. Hashemi, and A. Rahimi. Neural data compression for implantable brain–machine interfaces using event-driven techniques. IEEE Trans. Biomed. Circuits Syst. 2022, 16, 290–303. [Google Scholar]
- Y. Song, R. Chen, and Y. He. Neuromorphic signal processing with sparse event-based data. IEEE Access 2022, 10, 12534–12547. [Google Scholar]
- H. Kim, Y. H. Kim, Y. Kim, and S. Yoon. Efficient ANN-to-SNN conversion with burst coding and hybrid neuron model. in *Proc. IEEE CVPR, 7439. [Google Scholar]
- R. Rueckauer et al.. Conversion of continuous-valued deep networks to efficient event-driven networks for image classification. Front. Neurosci. 2017, 11, 682. [Google Scholar]
- M. Mozafari et al.. Bio-inspired digit recognition using reward-modulated spike-timing-dependent plasticity in deep convolutional networks. Pattern Recognit. 2019, 94, 87–95. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Y. Boybat et al.. Neuromorphic computing with multi-memristive synapses. Nature Commun. 2018, 9, 1–10. [Google Scholar]
- T. Chang, S. H. Jo, and W. Lu. Short-term memory to long-term memory transition in a nanoscale memristor. ACS Nano 2011, 5, 7669–7676. [Google Scholar]
- X. Liu et al.. A memristor-based neuromorphic computing system: From device to algorithm. IEEE J. Emerg. Sel. Topics Circuits Syst. 2019, 9, 276–292. [Google Scholar]
- W. Jiang, Y. W. Jiang, Y. Yang, and K. Roy. Adaptive hybrid spike encoding for dynamic input sparsity in SNNs. in *Proc. IEEE CVPR, 3201. [Google Scholar]
- H. Kim and S. Yoon. Spike quantization for efficient ANN-to-SNN conversion. IEEE Trans. Neural Netw. Learn. Syst. 2023, 34, 1233–1246. [Google Scholar]
- J. Chen et al.. Understanding threshold drift in oxide memristors for SNN applications. IEEE Electron Device Lett. 2024, 45, 101–104. [Google Scholar]
- Kok, C.L.; Siek, L. Designing a Twin Frequency Control DC-DC Buck Converter Using Accurate Load Current Sensing Technique. Electronics 2024, 13, 45. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- K. Roy, A. Sengupta, and A. Panda. Going beyond von Neumann with neuromorphic edge computing. Proc. IEEE 2022, 110, 1343–1362. [Google Scholar]
- Lee, J. Park, and T. Yu. Gradient-friendly training of deep SNNs via smooth spike response models. in *Proc. NeurIPS, 4553. [Google Scholar]
- W. Fang et al.. Deep residual learning in spiking neural networks. in *Proc. AAAI 2023, 37, 2671–2679. [Google Scholar]
- Gehrig, *!!! REPLACE !!!*; et al. . DVS128 Gesture dataset: A benchmark for dynamic vision. IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell. 2023, 45, 371–384. [Google Scholar]
- B. Cramer, T. Kaiser, and S. Wörgötter. Event-driven object recognition using spike encoding from N-Caltech101. IEEE Access 2022, 10, 15821–15830. [Google Scholar]
- Y. Zhang et al.. Hardware-aware quantized ANN-to-SNN conversion with dynamic thresholds. IEEE Trans. Comput.-Aided Des. Integr. Circuits Syst. 2024, 43, 87–100. [Google Scholar]
- H. Mostafa and S. Rumelhart. Self-supervised learning in SNNs with spike contrastive coding. in *Proc. ICLR.
- Kok, C.L.; Ho, C.K.; Teo, T.H.; Kato, K.; Koh, Y.Y. A Novel Implementation of a Social Robot for Sustainable Human Engagement in Homecare Services for Ageing Populations. Sensors 2024, 24, 4466. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Banerjee and, D. Sengupta. Towards neuromorphic transformers: Event-driven attention modules. in *Proc. ICASSP 2024, 3285–3289.
- P. U. Diehl et al. . Comparison of rate coding and temporal coding for SNNs. IEEE Trans. Neural Netw. 2022, 29, 451–463. [Google Scholar]
- R. Brette et al.. Simulation of networks of spiking neurons: A review of tools and strategies. IEEE Rev. Biomed. Eng. 2022, 15, 110–123. [Google Scholar]
- W. Wu et al.. Advances in learning algorithms for spiking neural networks: A review. IEEE Trans. Neural Netw. Learn. Syst. 2023, 34, 1879–1896. [Google Scholar]
- Z. Deng and Y. Liang. Surrogate gradient learning in SNNs: State-of-the-art and challenges. IEEE Access 2023, 11, 45829–45841. [Google Scholar]
- J. Ni, Y. Wang, and K. Roy. Recent trends in hardware acceleration for SNNs. Proc. IEEE 2023, 111, 41–62. [Google Scholar]
- H. Li et al.. Memristor-enabled neuromorphic circuits for real-time SNNs: A review. IEEE J. Emerg. Sel. Topics Circuits Syst. 2023, 13, 250–263. [Google Scholar]
- S. Choi and J. Park. Early Termination of STDP Learning with Spike Counts in Spiking Neural Networks. in *Proc. ISOCC.
- P. U. Diehl and M. Cook. Unsupervised learning of digit recognition using spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Front. Comput. Neurosci. 2015, 9, 1–9. [Google Scholar]
- Patel and, J. Smith. Self-supervised spiking networks for continual learning. in *Proc. IEEE IJCNN 2023, 1105–1112.
- Shin, Y. Li, and A. Seabaugh. Thermal impact in stacked neuromorphic chips. IEEE J. Explor. Solid-State Comput. Devices Circuits 2023, 9, 122–129. [Google Scholar]
- T. Tang, X. T. Tang, X. Luo, and F. Xue. Asynchronous federated STDP for spiking edge devices. in *Proc. IEEE IoT C.
- H. H. Aung, C. L. Kok, Y. Y. Koh, and T. H. Teo. An embedded machine learning fault detection system for electric fan drive. Electronics 2024, 13, 493. [Google Scholar]


Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).