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Cortical Area Details Window

The Cortical Area Details window is the most comprehensive interface for viewing and editing cortical area properties. It provides access to all parameters that control how a cortical area behaves, processes information, and connects to other areas.

Opening the Details Window​

There are several ways to access this window:

From Circuit Builder:

  • Right-click a cortical area → Details
  • Double-click a cortical area node

From Brain Monitor:

  • Right-click a cortical volume → Details

From Quick Menu:

  • Select area(s) → Quick Menu → Details

Window Features​

The window consists of multiple collapsible sections, each controlling different aspects of cortical area behavior:

  1. Summary - Basic properties and dimensions
  2. Neuron Coding - Neural encoding parameters (IPU/OPU only)
  3. Neuron Firing Parameters - How neurons fire and accumulate charge
  4. Memory Parameters - Memory behavior (Memory areas only)
  5. Post-Synaptic Potential Parameters - Connection strength dynamics
  6. Cortical Monitoring - Visualization and data collection settings
  7. Connections - View and manage connections (single-select only)
  8. Advanced - Advanced properties and destructive operations

Each section can be collapsed or expanded by clicking the triangle button in its header.

Summary Section​

The Summary section contains the most commonly edited properties.

Basic Information​

Name

  • The friendly display name
  • Used in Circuit Builder and Brain Monitor
  • Can contain spaces and special characters
  • Editable for all cortical types

Region

  • Shows the parent brain circuit
  • Click to change which circuit contains this area
  • Affects organization in Circuit Builder hierarchy

Cortical ID

  • Unique identifier (read-only)
  • Generated by FEAGI
  • Used internally for all operations
  • Shown in Advanced section (Advanced Mode)

Cortical Type

  • IPU (Input), OPU (Output), Memory, Custom, or Core
  • Read-only after creation
  • Determines which sections are available

Dimensions​

Dimensions (X, Y, Z)

  • Size of the cortical volume in voxels
  • Larger dimensions = more neurons
  • Total neurons = X × Y × Z × neurons per voxel
  • Changes affect neuron count and NPU capacity

For IPU/OPU Areas:

  • Shows Dimensions Per Device
  • Total dimensions = dimensions per device × device count
  • Allows creating multi-camera or multi-sensor setups

Device Count (IPU/OPU only)

  • Number of input/output devices
  • Example: 2 cameras, 4 motors
  • Each device gets its own dimensional space

Position​

Position (X, Y, Z)

  • 3D coordinates in the genome space
  • Used for visual organization
  • Does not affect neural processing
  • Freely editable (even for Core areas)

Advanced Properties​

Neurons Per Voxel

  • How many neurons exist in each voxel
  • Default: 1
  • Higher values increase processing density
  • Hidden for IPU/OPU areas (they use different encoding)

Synaptic Attractivity

  • How attractive this area is for incoming connections
  • Range: typically 1-100
  • Higher values encourage more connections
  • Affects automatic synapse formation

Visualization Voxel Granularity

  • Controls rendering detail in Brain Monitor
  • Higher values = coarser visualization, better performance
  • Lower values = finer detail, more GPU load
  • Does not affect neural computation

Live 3D Preview​

When editing Position or Dimensions, a live preview appears in the Brain Monitor showing:

  • The cortical volume at its new location/size
  • Real-time updates as you adjust values
  • Visual feedback for spatial planning

Neuron Coding Section​

Available for: IPU and OPU areas only

Controls how sensory data is encoded into neural activity (IPU) or decoded from neural activity (OPU).

Coding Format​

Determines how values are interpreted:

  • Positive - Only positive values
  • Negative - Only negative values
  • Both - Bipolar encoding (positive and negative)

Example:

  • Camera RGB values: Positive
  • Motor control (forward/reverse): Both
  • Inhibitory signals: Negative

Coding Behavior​

Controls when neurons fire:

  • Rate - Fire frequency encodes value
  • Phase - Fire timing encodes value
  • Burst - Fire patterns encode value

Coding Type​

The data representation format:

  • Intensity - Scalar values (brightness, temperature)
  • Position - Spatial coordinates
  • Motion - Velocity/movement vectors
  • Pattern - Complex data structures

Note: Changing coding parameters will update the Cortical ID automatically to reflect the new encoding scheme.

Neuron Firing Parameters Section​

Available for: Custom and Memory areas (not IPU/OPU)

Controls the fundamental behavior of individual neurons - how they accumulate charge, when they fire, and how they recover.

Membrane Potential Accumulation​

Toggle: ON/OFF

  • ON - Neurons accumulate charge over time until threshold is reached
  • OFF - Each input triggers immediate evaluation

Most areas use ON for temporal integration of signals.

Fire Threshold​

Range: Typically 0.0 - 1.0

The membrane potential level at which a neuron fires:

  • Lower values = neurons fire more easily
  • Higher values = neurons require stronger input
  • Critical for controlling area sensitivity

Threshold Limit​

Range: Integer value

Maximum threshold a neuron can reach:

  • Prevents runaway threshold increases
  • Maintains network stability
  • Higher values allow greater adaptation range

Neuron Excitability​

Range: 0-100 (percentage)

How easily neurons respond to input:

  • 100% = maximally responsive
  • 0% = completely inhibited
  • Useful for modulating entire area activity

Refractory Period​

Range: Typically 0-50 (bursts)

Time a neuron cannot fire after firing:

  • Prevents continuous firing
  • Creates temporal spacing between spikes
  • Measured in FEAGI burst cycles

Leak Coefficient​

Range: 0-100 (percentage)

How quickly neurons lose accumulated charge:

  • 0% = no leak, perfect integration
  • 100% = rapid decay, short-term only
  • Determines temporal integration window

Leak Variability​

Range: 0-100 (percentage)

Randomness in leak rate across neurons:

  • 0% = all neurons leak uniformly
  • 100% = maximum variation
  • Adds heterogeneity to temporal dynamics

Consecutive Fire Count​

Range: Integer value

Maximum times a neuron can fire consecutively before entering snooze:

  • Prevents sustained over-activation
  • Enforces temporal diversity
  • 0 = unlimited consecutive firing

Snooze Period​

Range: Integer value (bursts)

Rest time after reaching consecutive fire limit:

  • Longer than refractory period
  • Prevents neuron exhaustion
  • Encourages distributed activation

Fire Threshold Increment​

3D Vector: (x, y, z) values

How threshold increases after each firing:

  • Implements spike-frequency adaptation
  • Can vary by spatial dimension
  • Creates homeostatic regulation

Memory Parameters Section​

Available for: Memory cortical areas only

Controls how memories form, persist, and strengthen over time.

Initial Neuron Lifespan​

Range: Integer (bursts)

How long a new memory trace persists:

  • Short lifespan = working memory
  • Long lifespan = persistent memory
  • Starting point before growth mechanisms

Lifespan Growth Rate​

Range: Integer (bursts per activation)

How much lifespan increases when memory is accessed:

  • Higher values = faster memory consolidation
  • Zero = no strengthening (fixed lifespan)
  • Positive feedback mechanism

Long-term Memory Threshold​

Range: Integer (bursts)

Lifespan at which memory becomes permanent:

  • Memories above threshold never decay
  • Simulates long-term potentiation
  • Critical for persistent learning

Temporal Depth​

Range: Integer (bursts)

How far back in time the memory can recall:

  • Larger values = longer temporal window
  • Affects sequence learning capacity
  • Memory buffer size

Post-Synaptic Potential Parameters Section​

Available for: All cortical areas

Controls the strength and behavior of synaptic connections.

Post-Synaptic Potential (PSP)​

Range: Typically 0.0 - 1.0

Base strength of incoming connections:

  • Higher values = stronger synaptic influence
  • Uniform for all connections if PSP Uniformity is ON
  • Overridden if MP-Driven PSP is ON

PSP Max​

Range: Typically 0.0 - 2.0

Maximum allowed synaptic strength:

  • Caps connection weights
  • Prevents runaway strengthening
  • Upper bound for plasticity

Degeneracy Coefficient​

Range: Typically 0.0 - 1.0

Rate of synaptic weakening over time:

  • 0 = no decay, permanent connections
  • Higher values = faster forgetting
  • Implements synaptic homeostasis

PSP Uniformity​

Toggle: ON/OFF

  • ON - All connections use the same PSP value
  • OFF - Connections can have individual strengths
  • OFF enables connection-specific learning

MP-Driven PSP​

Toggle: ON/OFF

  • ON - PSP determined by pre-synaptic neuron's membrane potential
  • OFF - PSP uses the fixed base value
  • Creates activity-dependent connection strength

Cortical Monitoring Section​

Available in: Advanced Mode only

Controls visualization and data collection for analysis.

Membrane Potential Monitoring​

Toggle: ON/OFF Requires: InfluxDB connection

  • Logs membrane potential values over time
  • Enables time-series analysis
  • Stored in InfluxDB for historical data
  • Higher performance cost when enabled

Post-Synaptic Monitoring​

Toggle: ON/OFF Requires: InfluxDB connection

  • Logs synaptic activity over time
  • Tracks connection strength changes
  • Useful for plasticity analysis
  • Performance impact similar to membrane monitoring

Render Activity​

Toggle: ON/OFF

  • Controls visibility in Brain Monitor 3D view
  • ON: Show neural activity as colored highlights
  • OFF: Hide activity visualization
  • Does not affect neural computation
  • Improves performance for unused areas

Connections Section​

Available when: Single cortical area selected only

View and manage all neural connections to and from this cortical area.

Afferent Connections (Inputs)​

Lists all cortical areas that send signals TO this area:

For each connection:

  • Shows source cortical area name
  • Click name to open Mapping Editor window
  • View/edit connection parameters
  • Delete Icon Delete button to remove all mappings from that source

Add New Input:

  • Click + button in section header
  • Opens Mapping Editor to create new input connection

Efferent Connections (Outputs)​

Lists all cortical areas that receive signals FROM this area:

For each connection:

  • Shows destination cortical area name
  • Click name to open Mapping Editor window
  • View/edit connection parameters
  • Delete Icon Delete button to remove all mappings to that destination

Add New Output:

  • Click + button in section header
  • Opens Mapping Editor to create new output connection

Recursive Connections​

Shows if the area connects to itself:

  • "None Recursive" - No self-connection
  • "Recursive Connection" - Area connects to itself
  • Click button to create/edit recursive mapping

Use cases for recursive connections:

  • Pattern completion
  • Iterative refinement
  • Temporal integration
  • Attractor dynamics

Connection Navigation​

Click any connected area's name to:

  1. Open the Mapping Editor for that specific connection
  2. View connection topology and parameters
  3. Edit connectivity rule and pattern
  4. Adjust connection strength and plasticity

Advanced Section​

Available in: Advanced Mode only

Contains advanced properties and destructive operations that cannot be easily undone.

Delete Cortical Area​

Delete Icon Delete Button

Permanently removes the cortical area:

Confirmation dialog offers two options:

  1. Delete Area Only

    • Removes the cortical area
    • Preserves all connections (broken but stored)
    • Other areas remain intact

  2. Delete Area and All Connections

    • Removes the cortical area
    • Deletes all afferent connections (inputs)
    • Deletes all efferent connections (outputs)
    • Clean removal with no orphaned connections

Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on macOS) restores a deleted custom, memory, or input/output area and its mappings. The restored area gets a new id. Learned synapse weights are not restored. This lasts for the current genome session.

Note: Core areas have this button disabled - they cannot be deleted.

Reset Cortical Area​

Reset Icon Reset Button

Resets neural state to initial conditions:

What gets reset:

  • All neuron membrane potentials → 0
  • All neuron activation states → inactive
  • Accumulated charges cleared
  • Refractory states cleared
  • Memory traces (for Memory areas)

What is preserved:

  • All connections
  • All parameter values
  • Position and dimensions
  • Cortical area structure

Use cases:

  • Clear learned patterns
  • Start fresh training
  • Remove corrupted neural states
  • Debugging network behavior

Note: Core areas have this button disabled.

Additional Properties​

The Advanced section also displays:

Cortical ID (Read-only)

  • Unique identifier for API calls
  • Base64 encoded internal name

Unit Code (Read-only, IPU/OPU only)

  • Subtype identifier for device type

Subunit ID (Read-only, IPU/OPU only)

  • Individual unit index within device group

Multi-Selection Mode​

When multiple cortical areas are selected, the Details window adapts:

What Works in Multi-Select:​

Dimensions:

  • Edit dimensions for all selected areas at once
  • All areas get the same new dimensions
  • Useful for batch resizing

Parameters:

  • All firing parameters
  • All memory parameters
  • All PSP parameters
  • All monitoring settings

Batch Operations:

  • Changes apply to all selected areas
  • Conflicting values shown as "Multiple Selected"
  • Send button updates all areas simultaneously

What's Disabled in Multi-Select:​

Name: Cannot rename multiple areas at once Position: Cannot batch move (each area needs unique position) Connections Section: Only available for single-select Device Count: Cannot edit for multiple areas

Visual Indicators:​

"Multiple Selected" appears in fields when:

  • Selected areas have different values
  • Field cannot be batch-edited
  • No common value exists

Apply Button:

  • Stays disabled until changes are made
  • Clicking sends update to all selected areas
  • Shows progress/error for batch operations

Special Features​

Segmented Vision (isvi) Management​

When editing segmented vision areas (9-segment vision systems):

Automatic Layout:

  • Editing the center segment repositions all 8 peripheral segments
  • Editing any peripheral adjusts all 8 peripheral segments
  • Layout maintains proper spacing and alignment

Capacity Checking:

  • System validates NPU capacity before allowing resize
  • Warns if resize would exceed available neurons
  • Prevents changes that would crash FEAGI
  • Shows current/max neuron counts

Visual Feedback:

  • All 9 segments show live preview during editing
  • Warning color indicates capacity overflow
  • Apply button disabled if changes are unsafe

Core Area Restrictions​

Core areas (built-in FEAGI areas) have restrictions:

Read-Only:

  • Name (cannot rename)
  • Region assignment (cannot move)
  • Dimensions (cannot resize)
  • All neuron parameters
  • All memory parameters
  • All PSP parameters
  • Monitoring settings

Editable:

  • Position (can reposition for organization)
  • Connections (can modify mappings)

Disabled Operations:

  • Delete (Core areas are permanent)
  • Reset (Core areas maintain state)

This prevents accidental damage to essential FEAGI components.

Apply vs. Live Updates​

Understanding when changes take effect:

Immediate Updates (Live)​

These update instantly without clicking Apply:

  • Collapsing/expanding sections
  • Navigating between tabs
  • Opening connection editors
  • Changing focus between areas

Staged Updates (Apply Required)​

These require clicking the section's Apply button:

  • Any parameter changes
  • Dimension modifications
  • Position changes
  • Name edits
  • Monitoring toggles

Apply buttons are disabled until changes are made

Section-Specific Apply Buttons​

Each section has its own Apply button:

  • Summary - Position, dimensions, name, etc.
  • Neuron Coding - Coding parameters
  • Neuron Firing - Firing parameters
  • Memory - Memory parameters
  • PSP - Synaptic parameters
  • Monitoring - Visualization settings

This allows changing multiple sections and applying them independently.

Tips and Best Practices​

General Usage​

Start with Summary:

  • Get familiar with basic properties first
  • Understand the area's role before tuning parameters

Collapse Unused Sections:

  • Reduces visual clutter
  • Focuses attention on relevant controls
  • Window remembers your collapse states

Use Multi-Select Wisely:

  • Great for batch parameter tuning
  • Be careful - affects all selected areas
  • Verify selection before applying changes

Parameter Tuning​

Fire Threshold:

  • Lower threshold = more sensitive
  • Start around 0.5 and adjust
  • Watch activity in Brain Monitor

Leak Coefficient:

  • High leak = short-term memory
  • Low leak = temporal integration
  • Match to task requirements

PSP Values:

  • Start with uniform PSP
  • Enable learning only when needed
  • Monitor for runaway strengthening

Performance​

Disable Monitoring:

  • Turn off membrane/synaptic monitoring when not analyzing
  • Significant performance improvement
  • Only enable for specific debugging

Render Activity:

  • Disable for areas you're not watching
  • Reduces GPU load in Brain Monitor
  • No effect on neural computation

Visualization Voxel Granularity:

  • Increase for large areas
  • Reduce rendering load
  • Maintain detail only where needed