Papers for

signal processing teams

Papers whose findings have a practical use for this group, as judged from the abstract. Open a paper to read what it means in practice.

Algorithm finds low norm binary vectors in large random matrix problems

Free-Probabilistic State Evolution and Random Matrix Discrepancy

Abstract: Let $A_1,\ldots,A_n$ be independent $d \times d$ real symmetric Gaussian random matrices, and consider the linear operator $A(x) = n^{-1/2}\sum_{i=1}^n x_i A_i$, $x\in \mathbb{R}^n$. We construct an iterative algorithm in the Approximate Message Passing family which iterates over $A$ and its adjoint $A^*$, and establish a state evolution result which characterizes its behavior in the limit $d\rightarrow \infty, 2n/d^2 \rightarrow α$ in terms of a correlated Gaussian-semicircular process in a free probability space, in the sense of strong convergence of operators. We then apply this iteration to the random matrix discrepancy problem which asks for a binary vector $x \in \{-1,+1\}^n$ such that $A(x)$ has a small operator norm. Our algorithm achieves an operator norm $2σ(α)$, for an explicit expression of the standard deviation $σ(α)<1$ for all $0<α<α_* \simeq 5.74$. This resolves the algorithmic question of Kunisky-Zhang (2023) and Maillard (2025) in this interval.

Thu 10 SeptData Structures and Algorithms
The gist
Some problems involve choosing signs for numbers to make a related large matrix have small effects. The paper studies an iterative method that looks like a message passing process and analyzes its behavior as matrices get very large. This analysis uses advanced math from free probability theory to predict how the method works. The method then finds binary sign choices that keep the matrix operation small, solving a previous open question in a certain range of parameters.
Open 2609.11836v1

Function space analysis reveals stable learning patterns in neural networks

A Function-Space Approach to the Statistical Mechanics of Learning Dynamics

Abstract: Deep neural networks exhibit regular macroscopic behavior despite highly nonlinear dynamics in vast parameter spaces. We develop a statistical-mechanical description of learning directly in function space, treating parameter configurations as microscopic realizations and functions with their dynamical operators as macroscopic variables. For mean-squared loss, the exact error dynamics are governed by the learning operator \(M=JJ^\ast\). Combining the dynamical Boltzmann weight of the conditional stochastic dynamics with the parameter-space density of states, whose local curvature defines a statistical operator \(B\), and integrating over local fluctuations yields $$ Φ_{\mathrm{fluc}}(M;B)=\frac{σ_ξ^2}{2}\log\det(M^{-1}+B)+\mathrm{const}. $$ At fixed spectrum, this term is rotationally stationary when \([M,B]=0\), is minimized by pairing large eigenvalues of \(M\) with small eigenvalues of \(B\), and generates a local restoring contribution against rotational mismatch. For ReLU-type function spaces under mild stable statistical conditions, \(B=σ_ξ^2L^\ast\mathcal K L\), where \(L\) measures coarse-grained second-order structure. Thus the low-\(B\) sector corresponds, up to bounded anisotropy of \(\mathcal K\), to low structural curvature, implying a preference for faster relaxation along smooth, data-adaptive directions. These results identify function space as a natural macroscopic level for studying stable collective organization in learning.

Wed 9 SeptArtificial Intelligence
The gist
Training deep neural networks is complex because they have many parameters changing in complicated ways. The authors study the learning process by focusing on the functions these networks compute, rather than individual parameters. They find a mathematical way to describe how errors shrink during learning, showing that networks tend to learn faster along smooth, structured directions in the function space. This approach offers a new way to understand how neural networks organize learning despite their complexity.
Open 2609.09589v1

Photonic reservoir computing overcomes readout size limits with compression

Photonic reservoir computing with dimensionally compressed readout

Abstract: This work addresses a hardware constraint in reservoir computing: the limited size of the readout layer imposed by systems with a physical readout. We investigate a strategy to accommodate this constraint based on random projection, which compresses high-dimensional reservoir states into a lower-dimensional subspace while preserving key properties of the source space and information- processing capabilities. To evaluate this approach, we compare a small, standalone time delay reservoir against a larger configuration whose output is projected down to match the same restricted readout dimension. Using task-independent metrics, we demonstrate that the distribution of information-processing capacities may differ between the two configurations, even at identical readout sizes. Furthermore, we perform a comprehensive hyperparameter scan to assess how both systems behave under varying physical regimes. Finally, we benchmark this approach on the standard NARMA10 task, showing that the random projection framework can yield superior performance compared to a standalone constrained reservoir, within specific compression range. These results provide a scalable pathway to bypass physical readout bottlenecks in hardware-based reservoir computing.

Mon 7 SeptNeural and Evolutionary Computing
The gist
Some hardware-based computing systems struggle because their output parts can't handle very large data sizes. The authors study a way to compress data from the system into smaller chunks using random projections, which keeps important information intact. They compare a small system with a large one that compresses its outputs and show that the compressed approach can sometimes work better. This method could help build bigger, more powerful photonic computing devices without being limited by output size.
Open 2609.07418v1