Another approach to the definition of communication channel capacity

Author(s):  
A.N. Degtyaryov
2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1714-1748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiro Ikeda ◽  
Jonathan H. Manton

Information transfer through a single neuron is a fundamental component of information processing in the brain, and computing the information channel capacity is important to understand this information processing. The problem is difficult since the capacity depends on coding, characteristics of the communication channel, and optimization over input distributions, among other issues. In this letter, we consider two models. The temporal coding model of a neuron as a communication channel assumes the output is τ where τ is a gamma-distributed random variable corresponding to the interspike interval, that is, the time it takes for the neuron to fire once. The rate coding model is similar; the output is the actual rate of firing over a fixed period of time. Theoretical studies prove that the distribution of inputs, which achieves channel capacity, is a discrete distribution with finite mass points for temporal and rate coding under a reasonable assumption. This allows us to compute numerically the capacity of a neuron. Numerical results are in a plausible range based on biological evidence to date.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-178
Author(s):  
Forrest Fabian Jesse ◽  
Zhenjiang Miao ◽  
Li Zhao ◽  
Yao Chen ◽  
Weidong Li

The usefulness of auricular muscle activation as a means of selection and activation of objects or locations is investigated. We find that in nearly half of those studied, use of this latent communication channel expands total expression channel capacity. A method is described that detects tension in auricular muscles, which is used to signify intent. This intent signal is then transmitted on the person's visual attention vector to select, activate, and control objects in an environment.


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