- This paper introduces a neural recording integrated circuit (IC) designed for brain-computer interfaces, allowing for high-bandwidth and single-cell resolution data compression during digitization to manage large amounts of data more efficiently.
- The IC reduces the output data rate by 146× by eliminating unnecessary baseline samples while still enabling the reconstruction of important neural signals, using a low-power design and an effective routing system.
- Fabricated in a compact 28-nm CMOS process, the IC features a 32 x 32 array with 1024 channels, achieving high energy efficiency and low noise levels, making it suitable for integration with high-density microelectrode arrays.
Future neural interfaces capable of recording thousands of neurons can enhance our understanding and restoration of neural functions, but face challenges in data management and power consumption.
The wired-OR compressive readout architecture helps tackle the overwhelming data volume by employing lossy compression at the analog-to-digital conversion stage, allowing for effective spike detection and waveform estimation.
Tests on macaque retina recordings show that wired-OR can achieve over 50× compression while accurately detecting spikes, and when combined with a lossless compressor, can reach up to 1000× compression.