aiqbench analysis
PTQ4SNN addresses a critical bottleneck in deploying Spiking Neural Networks by enabling low-bit quantization of recurrent membrane states, which are typically left in floating point. This framework preserves model accuracy across convolutional and Transformer-based SNNs without requiring backbone retraining, facilitating efficient event-driven computation on edge devices. By jointly optimizing weight and state precision, it advances the practical viability of sparse, energy-efficient AI architectures.
PTQ4SNN: Membrane-Aware Post-Training Quantization for Spiking Neural Networks
arXiv:2608.07066v2 Announce Type: replace Abstract: Spiking neural networks (SNNs) enable sparse and event-driven computation, but their low-bit deployment remains incomplete because recurrent membrane states are commonly retained in floating point even after weight quantization. Quantizing these states is challenging because their distributions differ across channels and from the preceding weights, while small perturbations near the firing threshold may alter spike decisions and accumulate over time. We propose PTQ4SNN, a membrane-aware post-training quantization framework that jointly quantizes weights and recurrent membrane states using only a small calibration set. First, a channel-wise Unified Scale Bridge constrains the membrane scale as s_mem,c = s_w,c * 2^k_c, adapting to membrane distributions while enabling shift-compatible scale conversion. Second, Mixed-Precision Bit Allocation assigns 2/4/8-bit precision to membrane channels according to firing activity and quantization sensitivity under an average-bit budget. The framework operates on reusable projection-LIF pairs and supports both convolutional SNNs and spike-driven Transformers without backbone retraining. Experiments on static and event-based classification and semantic segmentation show that PTQ4SNN effectively preserves model accuracy under W4 quantization and approximately 4-bit membrane precision.
Abstract:Spiking neural networks (SNNs) enable sparse and event-driven computation, but their low-bit deployment remains incomplete because recurrent membrane states are commonly retained in floating point even after weight quantization. Quantizing these states is challenging because their distributions differ across channels and from the preceding weights, while small perturbations near the firing threshold may alter spike decisions and accumulate over time. We propose PTQ4SNN, a membrane-aware post-training quantization framework that jointly quantizes weights and recurrent membrane states using only a small calibration set. First, a channel-wise Unified Scale Bridge constrains the membrane scale as s_mem,c = s_w,c * 2^k_c, adapting to membrane distributions while enabling shift-compatible scale conversion. Second, Mixed-Precision Bit Allocation assigns 2/4/8-bit precision to membrane channels according to firing activity and quantization sensitivity under an average-bit budget. The framework operates on reusable projection-LIF pairs and supports both convolutional SNNs and spike-driven Transformers without backbone retraining. Experiments on static and event-based classification and semantic segmentation show that PTQ4SNN effectively preserves model accuracy under W4 quantization and approximately 4-bit membrane precision.
Artificial Intelligence (cs.AI)
arXiv:2608.07066 [cs.AI]
(or arXiv:2608.07066v2 [cs.AI] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.07066 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite
arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.
Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.
Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.
Full text under the publisher's open licence · 262 words
Related coverage
Latency and accuracy tradeoffs in Spiking Neural Networks
arXiv · Sep 30, 2026
Spike-Aware C++ INT8 Inference for Sparse Spiking Language Models on Commodity CPUs
arXiv · Jun 3, 2026
[AINews] Reality Checks on AI News (Yegge shuts down Gas Town, Databricks’ +60% Astra cost)
Latent Space · Sep 17, 2026
[AINews] High Taste Testers Ep. 1
Latent Space · Oct 17, 2026