LC, also Static Connection — Latent Connections or LC's are possible connections defined in the synapse space of a neuron between itself and other specific neurons. That is, a Latent Connection is a predefined possible synapse connection between two specific neurons (or between any two devices in Netlab).

Latent Connection is a Netlab term with no direct analog in the study of biological neural networks, though one might loosely interpret it as being similar to the concept of a silent synapse.


Difference between LC's and RPs

As stated, an LC is a predefined (possible) connection between a specified target neuron and the axon (output) of another specified neuron. The key word is 'specified'. The specific pre- and post-synaptic neurons being connected are determined at design-time. The latent connection can develop into a full connection based on how the weights are adjusted at run time, but it is limited to being between the two neurons (pre and post), which had been specified at design-time.

An RP (i.e., Receptor Pad) is a specified site on a target neuron that can form a dynamic connection to a single axon from any source within the system (depending on run-time experiences). The key word here is 'any'. The pre-synaptic neuron that makes connection to an RP is determined at run time and is not specified at design time.

Summary - LCs are for specifying a possible connection between a specified axon and a specified neuron (or bundle). These are what is thought of when considering typical ANN topologies. They are useful in many networks that only need hard coded, latent organization.

RPs are places on a neuron that may form a connection with any other neuron in the system at run-time. In Netlab, RPs may be used exclusively to build networks, or may be designed as part of the structure of networks that also include LCs. RPs are part of Netlab's pathfinding functionality, which includes pathfinders and chemical influences