# Chip Combines Analog and Digital Neurons for Sensor Data

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2024-11-08
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/138310063/

## Summary

Sumit Kumar, CEO, and engineers Peter Bogdan, Vasili Toma, and Amir Zeo of Innatera, a spinout from the University of Delft, discuss their neuromorphic processor chip designed for low-power, always-on sensor applications. The chip integrates both analog and digital neurons with a RISC-V CPU to handle pattern recognition in devices like smartwatches and security cameras. The team emphasizes a modular architecture and a PyTorch-based software stack to make the technology accessible to standard ML engineers without requiring a neuromorphics PhD. Professor Ralph Etienne-Cummings of Johns Hopkins University provides commentary on the chip's potential in biomedical applications and the importance of standardization.

## Chapters

- [0:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=43) Introduction: Innatera and the need for low-power AI
- [1:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=108) Sumit Kumar on Innatera's origins and sensor focus
- [4:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=241) Target applications: Smartwatches, security, and audio
- [6:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=408) Peter Bogdan on chip flexibility and modular design
- [8:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=516) Vasili Toma on balancing size, power, and specialization
- [11:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=717) Bogdan on analog/digital neurons and fusion
- [17:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=1064) Amir Zeo on CMOS design and memristor readiness
- [19:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=1145) Software stack: PyTorch and accessibility
- [21:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=1295) Ze0 on future applications and biological perspectives
- [30:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2024-11-08-chip-combines-analog-and-digital-neurons-for-sensor-data#t=1834) Ralph Etienne-Cummings on robustness and biomedical use

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Innatera (company)
- University of Delft (other)
- Nvidia (company)
- Jetson GPU (product)
- RISC-V (chip)
- PyTorch (tool)
- Spinnaker (other)
- Johns Hopkins University (other)
- Czech Technical University (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [497: Everyone Likes Tiny](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-03-20-497-everyone-likes-tiny) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode 14: The Wide World of Sensors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-04-11-episode-14-the-wide-world-of-sensors) (The Circuit)
- [110. The Future of Neurology: Neural Interfaces Countering Neural Diseases](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-21-110-the-future-of-neurology-neural-interfaces-countering-neural-diseases) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [27: You Are Blowing My Mind](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-11-13-27-you-are-blowing-my-mind) (Embedded.fm)
- [AI or 5G? EdgeQ Asks, "Why Not Both?" While Building a Wireless Base Station-on-a-Chip](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2023-06-27-ai-or-5g-edgeq-asks-why-not-both-while-building-a-wireless-base-station-on-a-chi) (Moore's Lobby)

## Citing this page

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