Neural Network Processor for a FPGA-based Multiband Fluorometer Device

We describe the design of an embedded neural network for signal processing in a small size, battery operated multiband fluorometer device with pattern recognition capabilities. The network was implemented in a Xilinx Spartan 3 FPGA with a microBlaze soft CPU core. The microBlaze subsystem occupied 527 slices and required 16 kB of RAM for program and data storage. It handled all the neural network functions of spectral signature analysis and pattern recognition and its processing speed was 1 ms per input pattern. The microBlaze CPU also managed user interaction. The whole system fit in a XC3S400 device.