Hardware-aware model of sigma-delta cellular neural network

The sigma-delta cellular neural network (SD-CNN) is a complete framework of a spatial domain sigma-delta modulator, and has a very high image reconstruction (AD-to-DA) performance. In this architecture, the A-template, given by a 2D low pass filter (LPF), is used for a digital to analogue converter (DAC), the C-template works as an integrator, and the nonlinear output function is for the bilevel output. By exploiting to the nonlinear optimization ability of CNN spatio-temporal dynamics, optimal binary and reconstruction image can be obtained. However, in the conventional SD-CNN, the Gaussian LPF, whose coefficients are real number, is used as the A-template. This filter coefficients requirement is one of major factors that restricts a hardware implementation. In this paper, a SD-CNN having hardware-friendly filter coefficients is proposed. Moreover its AD and DA performance is confirmed by some experiments.