A configurable realtime DWT-based neural data compression and communication VLSI system for wireless implants

摘要

This paper presents the design of a complete multi-channel neural recording compression and communication system for wireless implants that addresses the challenging simultaneous requirements for low power, high bandwidth and error-free communication. The compression engine implements discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and run length encoding schemes and offers a practical data compression solution that faithfully preserves neural information. The communication engine encodes data and commands separately into custom-designed packet structures utilizing a protocol capable of error handling. VLSI hardware implementation of these functions, within the design constraints of a 32-channel neural compression implant, is presented. Designed in 0.13 mum CMOS, the core of the neural compression and communication chip occupies only 1.21 mm2 and consumes 800 muW of power (25 muW per channel at 26 KS/s) demonstrating an effective solution for intra-cortical neural interfaces.