Mixed-signal VLSI independent component analyzer for hearing aid applications

We present a mixed-signal architecture for implementation of independent component analysis designed for the task of blind source separation of acoustic sources interfacing miniature microphone array. The matrix-vector multiplication is implemented through integration of switched current sources controlled by the pulse-width modulated signals. The proposed architecture implementing 3×3 static ICA in 0.5μm CMOS technology occupies chip area of 0.49 mm(2) with the power consumption of 80μW at 5 V supply voltage.