Analog VLSI model of the leech heartbeat elemental oscillator

Although significant complexity has been demonstrated in software-based neural system models, it is very difficult to simulate these models near real time. Such real time operation is critical both in the extraction of the maximal information from the models and in the utilization of these models in the creation of artificial systems. Analog very large-scale integrated (aVLSI) circuits have been shown to be a useful medium for implementing real-time neural system models1. Additionally, aVLSI circuits are compact and dissipate little power, facilitating the engineering of artificial systems based on biological principles. Much research has been performed in the aVLSI modeling of early sensory (e.g., visual and auditory) processing 2,3,4. Little application has been made, however, in the modeling of biological motor systems, even though the technology has significant potential in this area.

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