Directional hearing in a silicon cricket

Reeve, R. , van Schaik, A., Jin, C., Hamilton, T., Torben-Nielsen, B. and Webb, B. (2007) Directional hearing in a silicon cricket. BioSystems, 87(2-3), pp. 307-313. (doi: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2006.09.027) (PMID:17034935)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Phonotaxis is the ability to orient towards or away from sound sources. Crickets can locate conspecifics by phonotaxis to the calling (mating) song they produce, and can evade bats by negative phonotaxis from echolocation calls. The behaviour and underlying physiology have been studied in some depth, and the auditory system solves this complex problem in a unique manner. Experiments conducted on a simulation model of the system indicated that the mechanism output a directional signal to sounds ahead at calling song frequency and to sounds behind at echolocation frequencies. We suggest that this combination of responses helps simplify later processing in the cricket. To further explore this result, an analogue, very large scale integrated (aVLSI) circuit model of the mechanism was designed and built; results from testing this agreed with the simulation. The aVLSI circuit was used to test a further hypothesis about the potential advantages of the positioning of the acoustic inputs for sound localisation during walking. There was no clear advantage to the directionality of the system in their location. The aVLSI circuitry is now being extended to use on a robot along with previously modelled neural circuitry to better understand the complete sensorimotor pathway.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Reeve, Professor Richard
Authors: Reeve, R., van Schaik, A., Jin, C., Hamilton, T., Torben-Nielsen, B., and Webb, B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:BioSystems
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0303-2647
ISSN (Online):1872-8324
Published Online:10 September 2006

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record