A bio-inspired ultrasensitive imaging chip — Phase one: Design paradigm

Recently we have completed a system level modelling of the G-protein coupled cascade in Drosophila photoreceptors that converts single photons into transient electrical responses. Many interesting properties were revealed including the underlying mechanisms by which the system generates high quantum efficiency, single photon responses, huge signal amplification and fast recovery, as well as light adaptation to 11 orders of magnitude of light intensities. Now we would like to use this enzymatic cascade model as a design blueprint for a cascade of analogue amplifiers. These circuits can then be used in very sensitive sensory systems such as imaging chips or uncooled infrared detectors and cameras. This paper represents the first phase in this quest, which is establishing the link between the phototransduction model and an engineering design, before we move on to the detailed circuit design realization (phase two).