A Neuron Based Switch: Application to Low Power Mixed Signal Circuits

Human brain is functionally and physically complex. This ‘complexity’ can be seen as a result of biological design process involving extensive use of concepts such as modularity and hierarchy. Over the past decade, deeper insights into the functioning of cortical neurons have led to the development of models that can be implemented in hardware. The implementation of biologically inspired spiking neuron networks in silicon can provide solutions to difficult cognitive tasks. The work reported in this paper is an application of a VLSI cortical neuron model for low power design. The VLSI implementation shown in this paper is based on the spike and burst firing pattern of cortex and follows the Izhikevichψneuron model. This model is applied to a DC differential amplifier as practical application of power reduction.