ECE6435 Course Syllabus

ECE6435

Neuromorphic Analog VLSI Circuits (3-0-3)

Technical Interest
Group

Electronic Design and Applications

Prerequisites

ECE 3050

Corequisites

None

Catalog Description

Large-scale analog computation for sensory and motor processing. Analog building blocks are presented, leading to VLSI systems inspired by neurobiological architectures and computational paradigms.

Textbook(s)

Mead, Analog VLSI and Neural Systems, Addison Wesley, 1989. ISBN 9780201059922 (required) (comment: Out of print--EBS able to obtain used copies if they will be used in the class. )

Strategic
Performance
Indicators (SPIs)

SPIs are a subset of the abilities a student will be able to demonstrate upon successfully completing the course.

Outcome 1 (Students will demonstrate expertise in a subfield of study chosen from the fields of electrical engineering or computer engineering):
1.	Students will demonstrate the tradeoffs between various neuromorphic implementations starting at a fundamental circuit level through larger system design.  

Outcome 2 (Students will demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate advanced problems and apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve those problems):
1.	Students will demonstrate analytical modeling of neuromorphic blocks, including the various aspects of computational neuroscience and analog electrical modeling and the relationships between these blocks

Outcome 3 (Students will demonstrate the ability to utilize current knowledge, technology, or techniques within their chosen subfield):
1.	Students will demonstrate utilizing computer design tools and experimental measurement opportunities in the design of neuromorphic architectures, as well as in the design of full analog systems. 

Topical Outline

MOS Transistor Operation
  Weak Inversion
  Strong Inversion

Floating-Gate Circuits
  Electron Tunneling
  Hot-Electron Injection
  Fundamental Adaptive Circuits

Transcondutance Amplifiers
  Building Blocks: Current Mirror, Differential Pair, Gain Stages
  DC Operation

Time-Domain Circuits
  Follower-Integrator
  Differentiators
  Second-Order Sections

Current-Mode Circuits
  Translinear Principle
  Floating-Gate MOS Circuits
  Bump Circuit
  Current Multipliers

Signal-Aggregation Circuit Arrays
  Centroid Circuits
  Resistive Networks
  Diffusor Circuits
  Winner-Take-All Circuits
  Delay Lines

Neuromorphic Systems
  Electronic Cochlea
  Auditory Localization
  Silicon Retinas: Voltage and Current Mode
  Neuron Models
  Address Event Communication
  Motor Pattern Generation