Low power CMOS electronic central pattern generator design for a biomimetic underwater robot

— This paper, presents a feasability study of a central pattern generator-based analog controller for an autonomous robot. The operation of a neuronal circuit formed of electronic neurons based on Hindmarsh-Rose neuron dynamics and first order chemical synapses ls modeled. The controller is based on a standard CMOS process with 2V supply voltage. In order to achieve low power consumption, CMOS subthreshold circuit techniques are used. The controller generates an excellent replica of the walking motor program and allows switching between walking in different directions in response to different command inputs. The simulated power consumption is 4.8mW and die size including I/O pads is 2.2mm by 2.2mm. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed design can generate adaptive walking motor programs to control the legs of autonomous robots.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2007
• Where: IJON
• Authors: Young-Jun Lee, Jihyun Lee, Kyung Ki Kim, Yong-Bin Kim, Joseph Ayers
• Keywords: Autonomous Robots, Generator-based Analog Controller, IJON 2007, Power Consumption