Spiking network apparatus and method with bimodal spike-timing dependent plasticity

A method of updating a connection providing stimulus to an artificial spiking neuron, the method comprising:

• determining a spike time based on a first spike of the neuron generated based at least in part on at least one stimulus received via at least one of a plurality of connections to the neuron;
• determining a depression interval based at least in part on the spike time, the depression interval having a first boundary that is set at a pre-determined time before the spike time and a second boundary that is set at a pre-determined time after the spike time;
• depressing a connection of the plurality of connections when a stimulus from the connection is received within the depression interval, the depression being configured to increase a time between a second spike and the first spike;
• and
• potentiating a connection of the plurality of connections when a stimulus from the connection is received outside the depression interval, the potentiation being configured to decrease the time between the second spike and the first spike.