A Multi-Channel Auditory Signal Encoder with Adaptive Resolution Using Volatile Memristors

Abstract: We demonstrate and experimentally validate an end-to-end hybrid CMOS-memristor auditory encoder that realises adaptive-threshold, asynchronous delta-modulation (ADM)-based spike encoding by exploiting the inherent volatility of HfTiOx devices. A spike-triggered programming pulse rapidly raises the ADM threshold Delta (desensitisation); the device's volatility then passively lowers Delta when activity subsides (resensitisation), emphasising onsets while restoring sensitivity without static control energy. Our prototype couples an 8-channel 130 nm encoder IC to off-chip HfTiOx devices via a switch interface and an off-chip controller that monitors spike activity and issues programming events. An on-chip current-mirror transimpedance amplifier (TIA) converts device current into symmetric thresholds, enabling both sensitive and conservative encoding regimes. Evaluated with gammatone-filtered speech, the adaptive loop-at matched spike budget-sharpens onsets and preserves fine temporal detail that a fixed-Delta baseline misses; multi-channel spike cochleagrams show the same trend. Together, these results establish a practical hybrid CMOS-memristor pathway to onset-salient, spike-efficient neuromorphic audio front-ends and motivate low-power single-chip integration.