As neuronal simulations become ever more complex, innovations are required in software and hardware. We are key contributors to the neural network simulators NEST and Arbor. Execution performance and maintainability are our primary concerns. Simultaneously, we enhance usability by eliciting user requirements and developing domain specific languages to express neural models, for example the NEST modelling language NESTML.

On the hardware side, we investigate novel neuromorphic systems in the Advanced Computing Architecture project. Modular hardware approaches combining traditional and non-von Neumann architectures promise accelerated simulations of neural networks and new computational paradigms. Examples of such systems investigated by our team include the SpiNNaker and FPGA-based systems for design space exploration and prototyping.