Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-scale spatio-temporal neural network system. One embodiment comprises a neural network including multiple heterogeneous neuron populations that operate at different time scales. Each neuron population comprises at least one digital neuron. Each neuron population further comprises a time scale generation circuit that controls timing for operation of said neuron population, wherein each neuron of said neuron population integrates neuronal firing events at a time scale corresponding to said neuron population. The neural network further comprises a plurality of synapses interconnecting the neurons, wherein each synapse interconnects a neuron with another neuron. At least one neuron receives neuronal firing events from an interconnected neuron that operates at a different time scale.
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CLAIM: 1: A method, comprising: interconnecting a plurality of heterogeneous neuron populations operating at different time scales via a plurality of synapses, wherein each neuron population is assigned a corresponding time scale, each neuron population comprises a plurality of neurons, and synaptic weights of synapses interconnecting two different neuron populations are based on corresponding time scales assigned to the two different neuron populations; and controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously by distributing one or more clock steps to the neuron populations, wherein each neuron population operates at a corresponding time scale assigned to the neuron population by generating time steps based on the one or more clock steps distributed. 2: The method of claim 1, wherein: each neuron population comprises: multiple neurons, wherein at least one neuron of the neuron population receives neuronal firing events from a neuron of another neuron population that operates at a different time scale; and a time scale generation circuit for controlling timing of operations of the neuron population at a corresponding time scale. 3: The method of claim 2, wherein controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously comprises: generating, via a central clock, a clock step; and distributing the clock step to each neuron population. 4: The method of claim 3, wherein controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously comprises: at each neuron population: in response to receiving a clock step generated by the central clock: incrementing a counter value maintained in a counter unit of a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, wherein the counter value indicates a number of clock steps generated; determining whether the counter value matches a corresponding time scale for the neuron population; and generating a time step in response to determining the counter value matches the corresponding time scale. 5: The method of claim 4, the method further comprising: at each neuron of each neuron population: in response to receiving a time step generated by a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, integrating neuronal firing events, and updating a corresponding operational state based on the integrated neuronal firing events. 6: The method of claim 2, wherein: at least one neuron population exchanges neuronal firing events with another neuron population operating one time scale faster than the neuron population; and at least one neuron population exchanges neuronal firing events with another neuron population operating one time scale slower than said neuron population. 7: A system comprising a computer processor, a computer-readable hardware storage medium, and program code embodied with the computer-readable hardware storage medium for execution by the computer processor to implement a method comprising: interconnecting a plurality of heterogeneous neuron populations operating at different time scales via a plurality of synapses, wherein each neuron population is assigned a corresponding time scale, each neuron population comprises a plurality of neurons, and synaptic weights of synapses interconnecting two different neuron populations are based on corresponding time scales assigned to the two different neuron populations; and controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously by distributing one or more clock steps to the neuron populations, wherein each neuron population operates at a corresponding time scale assigned to the neuron population by generating time steps based on the one or more clock steps distributed. 8: The system of claim 7, wherein: each neuron population comprises: multiple neurons, wherein at least one neuron of the neuron population receives neuronal firing events from a neuron of another neuron population that operates at a different time scale; and a time scale generation circuit for controlling timing of operations of the neuron population at a corresponding time scale. 9: The system of claim 8, wherein controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously comprises: generating, via a central clock, a clock step; and distributing the clock step to each neuron population. 10: The system of claim 9, wherein controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously comprises: at each neuron population: in response to receiving a clock step generated by the central clock: incrementing a counter value maintained in a counter unit of a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, wherein the counter value indicates a number of clock steps generated; determining whether the counter value matches a corresponding time scale for the neuron population; and generating a time step in response to determining the counter value matches the corresponding time scale. 11: The system of claim 10, the method further comprising: at each neuron of each neuron population: in response to receiving a time step generated by a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, integrating neuronal firing events, and updating a corresponding operational state based on the integrated neuronal firing events. 12: The system of claim 7, wherein: at least one neuron population exchanges neuronal firing events with another neuron population operating one time scale faster than the neuron population; and at least one neuron population exchanges neuronal firing events with another neuron population operating one time scale slower than said neuron population. 13: A computer program product comprising a computer-readable hardware storage device having program code embodied therewith, the program code being executable by a computer to implement a method comprising: interconnecting a plurality of heterogeneous neuron populations operating at different time scales via a plurality of synapses, wherein each neuron population is assigned a corresponding time scale, each neuron population comprises a plurality of neurons, and synaptic weights of synapses interconnecting two different neuron populations are based on corresponding time scales assigned to the two different neuron populations; and controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously by distributing one or more clock steps to the neuron populations, wherein each neuron population operates at a corresponding time scale assigned to the neuron population by generating time steps based on the one or more clock steps distributed. 14: The computer program product of claim 13, wherein: each neuron population comprises: multiple neurons, wherein at least one neuron of the neuron population receives neuronal firing events from a neuron of another neuron population that operates at a different time scale; and a time scale generation circuit for controlling timing of operations of the neuron population at a corresponding time scale. 15: The computer program product of claim 14, wherein controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously comprises: generating, via a central clock, a clock step; and distributing the clock step to each neuron population. 16: The computer program product of claim 15, wherein controlling timing of operations of the neuron populations synchronously comprises: at each neuron population: in response to receiving a clock step generated by the central clock: incrementing a counter value maintained in a counter unit of a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, wherein the counter value indicates a number of clock steps generated; determining whether the counter value matches a corresponding time scale for the neuron population; and generating a time step in response to determining the counter value matches the corresponding time scale. 17: The computer program product of claim 16, the method further comprising: at each neuron of each neuron population: in response to receiving a time step generated by a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, integrating neuronal firing events, and updating a corresponding operational state based on the integrated neuronal firing events. 18: The computer program product of claim 14, wherein: at least one neuron population exchanges neuronal firing events with another neuron population operating one time scale faster than the neuron population; and at least one neuron population exchanges neuronal firing events with another neuron population operating one time scale slower than said neuron population.