A wireless multi-channel implantable neural recording microsystem based on optimized analog TDM-FDM combination

Crosstalk noise (CT) is a limiting factor to increase the number of channels in analog Time-Division-Multiplexing (TDM)-based Wireless Neural Recording microsystems (WNRs). This paper proposes a novel approach to mitigate and decrease the effect of the CT by combining TDM with Frequency-Division-Multiplexing (FDM). In particular, we evaluate some possible configurations of the TDM-FDM combination and present a system that has less CT than other configurations. A 12-channel WNR based on the proposed system is designed in both system and circuit-level. In this system, channels are first divided into three 4-channel groups and after multiplexing in time domain, they are combined together with FDM method. While the group containing the marker pulse is located in the base-band, the second and third group are shifted to the frequency domain by employing quadrature modulation. The circuit-level of the system is designed and simulated by using 0.18 μm CMOS technology. The designed circuit consumes a power of 1.4 mW at a supply voltage of 1.8 V. The performance of the proposed system is also compared with simple TDM-based WNR. Simulations shows that in the proposed system the CT is considerably decreased.