Heterogeneous Ensemble-Based Spike-Driven Few-Shot Online Learning

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are regarded as a promising candidate to deal with the major challenges of current machine learning techniques, including the high energy consumption induced by deep neural networks. However, there is still a great gap between SNNs and the few-shot learning performance of artificial neural networks. Importantly, existing spike-based few-shot learning models do not target robust learning based on spatiotemporal dynamics and superior machine learning theory. In this paper, we propose a novel spike-based framework with the entropy theory, namely, heterogeneous ensemble-based spike-driven few-shot online learning (HESFOL). The proposed HESFOL model uses the entropy theory to establish the gradient-based few-shot learning scheme in a recurrent SNN architecture. We examine the performance of the HESFOL model based on the few-shot classification tasks using spiking patterns and the Omniglot data set, as well as the few-shot motor control task using an end-effector. Experimental results show that the proposed HESFOL scheme can effectively improve the accuracy and robustness of spike-driven few-shot learning performance. More importantly, the proposed HESFOL model emphasizes the application of modern entropy-based machine learning methods in state-of-the-art spike-driven learning algorithms. Therefore, our study provides new perspectives for further integration of advanced entropy theory in machine learning to improve the learning performance of SNNs, which could be of great merit to applied developments with spike-based neuromorphic systems.