VLSI design for real-time signal processing based on biologically realistic neural models

The hippocampus region of the brain system performs cognitive functions of learning and memory. A VLSI design of a hippocampal model has been proposed and two mixed analog-digital chips which use analog circuits for parallel computing and digital circuits for interconnection were designed and fabricated by the MOSIS service. The objectives of this research effort is to incorporate adequate biological constraints into the microelectronic chips and systems. (i) to provide a basis for realizing a massively parallel, hardware model with which to study the dynamics of biological neural networks, and (ii) so that the well-known signal processing capabilities of the nervous system can be more readily applied to the solution of real-world problems.