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.
Please help me write a proper abstract based on the patent claims. CLAIM: 1. A method, comprising: interconnecting a plurality of heterogeneous neuron populations; and distributing different time scales to the neuron populations asynchronously, such that the neuron populations operate at different time scales. 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 the distributing comprises: at each neuron population: generating, via a clock of a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, a clock step; incrementing a counter value maintained in a counter unit of the time scale generation circuit, 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. 4. The method of claim 3, 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. 5. 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. 6. 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; and distributing different time scales to the neuron populations asynchronously, such that the neuron populations operate at different time scales. 7. The system of claim 6, 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. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the distributing comprises: at each neuron population: generating, via a clock of a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, a clock step; incrementing a counter value maintained in a counter unit of the time scale generation circuit, 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. 9. The system of claim 8, 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. 10. 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. 11. 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; and distributing different time scales to the neuron populations asynchronously, such that the neuron populations operate at different time scales. 12. The computer program product of claim 11, 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. 13. The computer program product of claim 12, wherein the distributing comprises: at each neuron population: generating, via a clock of a time scale generation circuit of the neuron population, a clock step; incrementing a counter value maintained in a counter unit of the time scale generation circuit, 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. 14. The computer program product of claim 13, 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. 15. The computer program product of claim 12, 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.