Biological and Silicon Modeling of Moving Target Detection in Insects (CD-ROM)

Abstract : ELECTRONIC FILE CHARACTERISTICS: 4 files; Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) and .MOV and .AVI videos. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: 1 computer laser optical disc (CD-ROM); 4 3/4 in.; 14.7 MB. SYSTEMS DETAIL NOTE: IBM-clone PC-compatible. ABSTRACT: In this project, we studied the physiology of a class of visual neurons that we have labeled small target, movement detectors (STMDs), which respond selectively to small moving visual targets. In-vivo intracellular recordings were made in several model species (the hoverfly Eristalis tenax and the dragonflies Hemicordulia tau and Aeshna multicolor), while subject to moving visual displays. We found some STMD neurons are capable of responding selectively to small moving targets against moving cluttered backgrounds. We characterized the receptive field properties of a class of small-field STMDs that we labeled elementary small target movement detectors' (ESTMDs), which may be an early stage in a hierarchy of STMD processing. Models were developed for aspects of the processing performed by STMD neurons, and tested in simulations. In particular, a model for the ESTMD was developed and implemented in analog VLSI silicon.