Design of an Integrated CMOS Transceiver with Wireless Power and Data Telemetry with Application to Implantable Flexible Neural Probes

Recent developments in implantable medical devices (IMDs) have created a need for communication systems integrated directly into the implant with feedback data for various sensing systems. The need for modern communication techniques, power delivery systems, and usable interfaces for smart implants present an interesting challenge for engineers trying to provide doctors and medical professionals with the best resources available for medical research. This dissertation will cover the design of an integrated CMOS transceiver and near-field inductive link used for an IMD and the accompanying CMOS front end for the application space of neural recording in the brain of lab mice. The design process of the CMOS IC, along with thinning techniques, the nearfield inductive link, and the design of an external reading system will be discussed in detail. The various wireless power and data telemetry techniques applicable for IMDs and their strengths and weaknesses will also be described. Software techniques and implementation for real-time analysis of a high data rate communication system from the designed IMD will be covered. Finally, transceiver verification will be given for both power and data telemetry under various scenarios, with front end verification performed via controlled lab bench experiments using input sinusoidal wave forms.