Exploring Edge TPU for deep feed-forward neural networks.

This paper explores the performance of Google's Edge TPU on feed-forward neural networks. We consider Edge TPU as a hardware platform and explore different architectures of deep neural network classifiers, which traditionally have been a challenge to run on resource-constrained edge devices. Based on the use of a joint-time-frequency data representation, also known as a spectrogram, we explore the trade-off between classification performance and the energy consumed for inference. The energy efficiency of Edge TPU is compared with that of the widely-used embedded CPU ARM Cortex-A53. Our results quantify the impact of neural network architectural specifications on the Edge TPU's performance, guiding decisions on the TPU's optimal operating point, where it can provide high classification accuracy with minimal energy consumption. Also, our evaluations highlight the crossover in performance between Edge TPU and Cortex-A53, depending on the neural network specifications. Based on our analysis, we provide a decision chart to guide decisions on platform selection based on the model parameters and context.