Integration of wind sensors and analogue VLSI for an insect-inspired robot

We have designed an adaptive analogue VLSI neuromorphic chip that will be used to interface MEM wind sensors to an insect-inspired robot. The main chip components are a sensory interface circuit to amplify the signal from the MEM device, and integrate and fire neurons with adaptive firing thresholds. The chip has been implemented using Austria Microsystem System's 0.35 mu m CMOS technology. We report the response of the prototype sensor to a wind stimulus, and show the neural circuit can reproduce the adaptive behaviour of biological sensory neurons.