Signaling contours by neuromorphic wave propagation.
We describe a neuromorphic retina that signals a luminance edge as a spike. In a fast process, the luminance profile of the receptor layer determines the membrane potential of the ganglion cells and their individual, adjustable spiking thresholds. In a slower process, a wave-propagation process, the charge of ganglion cells with high membrane potential will propagate toward neighboring cells with low membrane potential and low spiking threshold, thus signaling the edge as a spike. Following that, the signaled edge (or contour) actively propagates across the retinal map. The retinal signal can be used for a contour-integration or a contour-propagation approach.
Rasche
Christoph
C
Department of Psychology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CA, USA. rasche@klab.caltech.edu
D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D005556:Form Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000502:physiology*