This paper presents a unified, comprehensive approach to the design of continuous-time (CT) and discrete-time (DT) cellular neural networks (CNN) using CMOS current-mode analog techniques. The net input signals are currents instead of voltages as presented in previous approaches, thus avoiding the need for current-to-voltage dedicated interfaces in image processing tasks with photosensor devices. Outputs may be either currents or voltages. Cell design relies on exploitation of current mirror properties for the efficient implementation of both linear and nonlinear analog operators. These cells are simpler and easier to design than those found in previously reported CT and DT-CNN devices. Basic design issues are covered, together with discussions on the influence of nonidealities and advanced circuit design issues as well as design for manufacturability considerations associated with statistical analysis. Three prototypes have been designed for l.6-pm n-well CMOS technologies. One is discrete-time and can be reconfigured via local logic for noise removal, feature extraction (borders and edges), shadow detection, hole filling, and connected component detection (CCD) on a rectangular grid with unity neighborhood radius. The other two prototypes are continuous-time and fixed template: one for CCD and other for noise removal. Experimental results are given illustrating performance of these prototypes.

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A system for cell-culture real-time monitoring using an Oscillation-Based (OB) approach is proposed. The system transforms a Cell-Culture Under Test (CCUT) into a suitable "biological" oscillator, without needing complex circuitry for excitation and measurement. The obtained oscillation parameters are directly related to biological test, owed to an empirically extracted cell-electrode electrical model. A discrete prototype is proposed and experimental results with living cell culture are presented, achieving the expected performances.

A unified systematic approach to the design of voltage-controlled oscillators using only gperational pansconductance amplifiers (OTA's) and capacitors is discussed in this paper. Two classical oscillator models, i.e., quadrature and bandpass-based, are employed to generate several oscillator structures. They are very appropriate for silicon monolithic implementations. The resulting oscillation frequencies are proportional to the transconductance of the OTA and this makes the reported structures well-suited for building voltage controlled oscillators (VCO's). Amplitude stabilization circuits using both automatic gain control (AGC) mechanisms and limitation schemes are presented which are compatible with the transconductance amplifier capacitor gscillator (TACO). Experimental results from bipolar breadboard and CMOS IC prototypes are included showing good potential of OTA-based oscillators for high frequency VCO operation.

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