A 100dB dynamic range event-driven spatial contrast sensor with 100μs response time and Time-to-First-Spike mode

Bio-inspired vision sensors have some inherent advantages over conventional sequential-still-image sensors. Some of them are high speed, low latency and reduced bandwidth and power consumption. In this paper, we present a new spatial contrast retina with signed output. Its output is zero if there is no contrast. The new sensor includes an optional Time-to-First-Spike mode (TFS) that combines the advantages of AER vision systems and frame-based ones. In TFS mode, times between consecutive frames can be adjusted dynamically by transmitting only relevant information. Both operation modes are ambient-light-independent, to first order. A 32×32 pixel prototype has been fabricated in 0.35um CMOS. Experimental results are provided.