Parameterising Feature Sensitive Cell Formation in Linsker Networks in the Auditory System

This paper examines and extends the work of Linsker (1986) on self organising feature detectors. Linsker concentrates on the visual processingsystem, but infers that the weak assumptions made will allow the model to be used in the processing of other sensory information. This claim is examined here, with special attention paid to the auditory system, where there is much lower connectivity andtherefore more statistical variability. Online training is utilised, to obtain an idea of training times. These are then compared tothe time available to prenatal mammals for the formation of feature sensitive cells. 1 INTRODUCTION Within the last thirty years, a great deal of research has been carried out in an attempt to understand the development of cells in the pathways between the sensory apparatus and the cortex in mammals. For example, theories for the development of feature detectors were forwarded by Nass and Cooper (1975), by Grossberg (1976) and more recently Obermayer et al (1990). Hubel and Wiesel (1961) established the existence of several different types of feature sensitivecell in the visual cortex of cats. Various subsequent experiments have 1007 1008 Walton and Bisset shown that a considerable amount of development takes place before birth (i.e.