A bit-serial VLSI processor for kernel-based classifiers

A bit-serial digital VLSI processor that emulates the operation of kernel-based classifiers is described. First the operating principle and the relevant characteristics of that kind of neural classifiers are introduced. Operations are identified and suitable approximations are proposed in order to make the required computations compatible with a digital VLSI implementation. Then, the bit-serial processor architecture is described. Basically it consists of three modules: distance calculation, kernel function approximation and accumulation-comparison. Estimated results on area, processing speed and power consumption of a synthesized ASIC are given in comparison with a published analog processor. The obtained data show that the reported approach is very promising for high throughput applications.