Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Cellular Neural Network
     
         (CNN) The CNN Universal Machine is a low cost,
        low power, extremely high speed {supercomputer} on a chip.  It
        is at least 1000 times faster than equivalent {DSP} solutions
        of many complex {image processing} tasks.  It is a stored
        program supercomputer where a complex sequence of image
        processing {algorithm}s is programmed and downloaded into the
        chip, just like any digital computer.  Because the entire
        computer is integrated into a chip, no signal leaves the chip
        until the image processing task is completed.
     
        Although the CNN universal chip is based on analogue and logic
        operating principles, it has an on-chip analog-to-digital
        input-output interface so that at the system design and
        application perspective, it can be used as a digital
        component, just like a DSP.  In particular, a development
        system is available for rapid design and prototyping.
        Moreover, a {compiler}, an {operating system}, and a
        {user-friendly} CNN {high-level language}, like the {C}
        language, have been developed which makes it easy to implement
        any image processing algorithm.
     
        [Professor Leon Chua, University of California at Berkeley].
     
        (1995-04-27)