A mixed-signal array processor with early vision applications

A programmable analog arithmetic circuit which can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division at 7 bits of resolution is presented. This circuit is used as the ALU for a mixed-signal array processor designed for early vision applications. The analog arithmetic circuit enables the processor to operate with the low power and low area of a dedicated analog circuit while retaining the flexibility of a digital processor. The processor was tested with an edge detection algorithm and a sub-pixel resolution algorithm. A 1 cm square array of the mixed-signal processor cells in 0.8 /spl mu/m CMOS with a 5 V power supply would dissipate 1 W at 420 MIPS.