Neuromime in VLSI Using PSPICE and VHDL

A hybrid analog-digital neural processing element with the behavior of biological neurons has been developed. Using conventional Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology, a flexible and comprehensive neuromime circuit has been implemented for the purpose of modeling nerve networks from living organisms. The hybrid element is designed for VLSI implementation and offers the best attributes of analog and digital computations. The neuromime offers many continuously variable parameters, including excitatory and inhibitory sensitivity and persistence, refractory duration and strength, and the overall speed of operation. The circuit offers free and continuous access to waveforms for presynaptic membrane potential, post synaptic membrane potential, and threshold potential. As such, it is amenable to many secondary behavioral characteristics, such as post inhibitory rebound, fatigue, facilitation, and accommodation. The hybrid processing element operates in nanosecond time scale, which enables it to produce real-time solutions to complex spatiotemporal problems found in high speed signal processing applications.