def compute_DC(net_dict, w_ext):
    """ Computes DC input if no Poisson input is provided to the microcircuit.

    Parameters
    ----------
    net_dict
        Parameters of the microcircuit.
    w_ext
        Weight of external connections.

    Returns
    -------
    DC
        DC input, which compensates lacking Poisson input.
    """
    DC = (
        net_dict['bg_rate'] * net_dict['K_ext'] *
        w_ext * net_dict['neuron_params']['tau_syn_E'] * 0.001
        )
    return DC