Biologically inspired analog IC for visual collision detection

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Publication Type Journal Article
School or College College of Engineering
Department Electrical & Computer Engineering
Creator Harrison, Reid R.
Title Biologically inspired analog IC for visual collision detection
Date 2005-11
Description We have designed and tested a single-chip analog VLSI sensor that detects imminent collisions by measuring radially expanding optic flow. The design of the chip is based on a model proposed to explain leg-extension behavior in flies during landing approaches. We evaluated a detailed version of this model in simulation using a library of 50 test movies taken through a fisheye lens. The algorithm was evaluated on its ability to distinguish movies ending in collisions from movies in which no collision occurred. This biologically inspired algorithm is capable of 94% correct performance in this task using an ultra-low-resolution (132-pixel) image as input. A new elementary motion detector (EMD) circuit was developed to measure optic flow on a CMOS focal-plane sensor. This EMD circuit models the bandpass nature of large monopolar cells (LMCs) immediately postsynaptic to photoreceptors in the fly visual system as well as a saturating multiplication operation proposed for Reichart-type motion detectors. A 16 x 16 array of two-dimensional motion detectors was fabricated in a standard 0.5µm CMOS process. The chip consumes 140 µW of power from a 5 V supply. With the addition of wide-angle optics, the sensor is able to detect collisions 100-400 ms before impact in complex, real-world scenes. Index Terms-CMOS imager, collision detection, Gilbert multiplier, insect vision, neuromorphic systems, optic flow, smart sensor.
Type Text
Publisher Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Journal Title IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers
Volume 52
Issue 11
First Page 2308
Last Page 2318
DOI 10.1109/TCSI.2005.853517
citatation_issn 1057-7122
Subject Visual collision detection; VLSI
Subject LCSH Biologically-inspired computing; Integrated circuits; Collision avoidance systems; Motion perception (Vision)-- Computer simulation; Metal oxide semiconductors; Animal models in research
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Harrison, R. R. (2005). Biologically inspired analog IC for visual collision detection. IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems - I, 52(11), 2308-18. November.
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Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6w95tvq