The ​​Nixel 512™ chip is a low-noise and low-power mixed-signal programmable neural recording ASIC with 512 electrodes and 16-bit data path. It has an array of 256 differential record channels with integrated low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that can record 512 electrodes in parallel at sampling rates up to 32 kHz with ADC resolutions up to 16-bit. The chip has a uniform array of 256 fully differential identical active neural recording elements, called nixels, acting as electrical pixels for neural recording applications. The Nixel 512 chip has a tiny chip-scale package measuring 4 mm x 4 mm, suitable for ultra compact head stages and high-density multi electrode-array (MEA) neural recording applications.

Key Features

• 512 recording electrodes in a uniform array.
• 256 fully differential neural recording elements (nixels).
• User-selectable analog polarity for input and reference electrode selections.
• AC coupled LNA with in-nixel digitization with digital readout.
• Programmable nixel gain and bandwidth (BW) selection for low noise
• Input referred noise below 5 µV rms in the high gain mode
• High- and low-gain modes for spike and local field potentials (LFP) recording.
• User-selectable reference generation and distribution.
• Simultaneous spike and LFP recording up to 32 kHz sampling rate.
• Programmable ADC resolution up to 16-bit.
• Integrated impedance measurement circuit for every electrode.
• Low-power and low-voltage design (1.2 V digital and 2.5 V analog).
• Ultra small chip-scale package (4 mm x 4 mm) with Cu bumps.

Applications

• Chip-scale ultra-compact neural recording solutions for high-density MEAs.
• Ultra-compact high-density head stages with digital control and readout.
• Active MEAs for “Smart-Dish” type in vitro neural recording applications.
• Chip-scale MEAs for “Neurons-on-Chip” type neural recording applications.
• Low-noise multi-channel scientific data acquisition systems.