A subthreshold CMOS implementation of a two-dimensional mechanical cochlear model

Abstract

We present a two-dimensional passive silicon cochlea based on the work of Watts [1993]. The model propagates waves in the backward and forward directions with succeeding stages loading earlier stages. CMOS resistors operating in the subthreshold ohmic region implement the uniform cochlear fluid. SPICE simulations reveal a cutoff slope in excess of 100 dB/oct, which compares well with experimental results.