SpineML and Brian 2.0 interfaces for using GPU enhanced Neuronal Networks (GeNN)

Abstract

Background The GPU enhanced Neuronal Networks (GeNN) framework [1,2] was introduced in 2011 to facilitate the efficient use of graphical processing units (GPUs) as accelerators for neuronal network simulations, in particular as part of computational neuroscience investigations. GeNN is based substantially on code generation for the NVIDIA CUDA application programming interface. Code generation provides decisive advantages over stand-alone simulators in that (i) code can be optimized both for every individual model and for the specific GPU hardware detected at compile time, and (ii) code generation allows to provide a practically limitless number of pre-defined models while the generated simulation code remains as small and efficient as possible. While GeNN is an important step towards facilitating the use of GPU acceleration for computational neuroscience applications it has been designed with expert users in mind. Particular emphasis has been put on flexibility and extendibility and, in case of conflict, these were prioritized over the easy of use. In the work presented here we are aiming to make GeNN and the corresponding GPU acceleration now also available to non-expert users by providing two new interfaces from SpineCreator [3]/SpineML [4] and the Brian 2 simulator [5,6] to GeNN.