Spatiotemporal dynamics of a stochastic VLSI array

In this paper we present an analog VLSI array of hysteretic elements that facilitates the exploitation of known properties of stochastic resonance. We present data from a 7×9 array of locally coupled Schmitt trigger elements implemented in a 2 μm n-well CMOS process. In particular, we demonstrate stochastic resonance in a single element (uncoupled case) with an improvement in output signal to noise ratio of approximately 40 dB. In a spatially extended system (elements coupled via analog transmission gates), we observe an array enhanced effect by measuring the relative firing times between two cells in the array