title: A mixed-signal multichip neural recording interface with bandwidth reduction.
abstract: We present a multichip structure assembled with a medical-grade stainless-steel microelectrode array intended for neural recordings from multiple channels. The design features a mixed-signal integrated circuit (IC) that handles conditioning, digitization, and time-division multiplexing of neural signals, and a digital IC that provides control, bandwidth reduction, and data communications for telemetry toward a remote host. Bandwidth reduction is achieved through action potential detection and complete capture of waveforms by means of onchip data buffering. The adopted architecture uses high parallelism and low-power building blocks for safety and long-term implantability. Both ICs are fabricated in a CMOS 0.18-mum process and are subsequently mounted on the base of the microelectrode array. The chips are stacked according to a vertical integration approach for better compactness. The presented device integrates 16 channels, and is scalable to hundreds of recording channels. Its performance was validated on a testbench with synthetic neural signals. The proposed interface presents a power consumption of 138 muW per channel, a size of 2.30 mm(2), and achieves a bandwidth reduction factor of up to 48 with typical recordings.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gosselin
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Ayoub
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sawan
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lepore
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaudhuri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guitton