A Data-Compressive Wired-OR Readout for Massively Parallel Neural Recording

This paper describes an architecture for the massively parallel digitization of neural action potentials. The scheme achieves simultaneous data compression and channel multiplexing through wired-OR interactions within an array of single-slope A/D converters. The achieved compression is lossy but effective at retaining the critical samples belonging to action potential spikes. Simulation results using ex-vivo experimental data from a 512-channel array show compression rates up to ~73x while maintaining ≥90% reconstruction coverage for parasol cells in the primate retina.