Silicon-based Neuromorphic Implementation of the Olfactory Pathway

Abstract

Here we describe the component subsystems which comprise the first silicon-based olfactory system, each implemented in analog VLSI/MEMS. These include a biologically constrained neuronal model, chemical micro-sensor array and associated interface circuitry. We present a spiking olfactory bulb model, a reduced 70 element broadly-tuned chemosensor array (25 different chemsensor tunings), alongside details of their silicon implementation. Our results show that the olfactory bulb model is capable of pattern classification and that the odour delivery, uptake and sensor circuitry, as well as the fundamental units of the neuromorphic model (spike-driven synapse and spiking soma), are all functional. Work will continue towards completing a fully-integrated and scalable silicon implementation of the olfactory system