1,252 research outputs found

    A Reuse-based framework for the design of analog and mixed-signal ICs

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    Despite the spectacular breakthroughs of the semiconductor industry, the ability to design integrated circuits (ICs) under stringent time-to-market (TTM) requirements is lagging behind integration capacity, so far keeping pace with still valid Moore's Law. The resulting gap is threatening with slowing down such a phenomenal growth. The design community believes that it is only by means of powerful CAD tools and design methodologies -and, possibly, a design paradigm shift-that this design gap can be bridged. In this sense, reuse-based design is seen as a promising solution, and concepts such as IP Block, Virtual Component, and Design Reuse have become commonplace thanks to the significant advances in the digital arena. Unfortunately, the very nature of analog and mixed-signal (AMS) design has hindered a similar level of consensus and development. This paper presents a framework for the reuse-based design of AMS circuits. The framework is founded on three key elements: (1) a CAD-supported hierarchical design flow that facilitates the incorporation of AMS reusable blocks, reduces the overall design time, and expedites the management of increasing AMS design complexity; (2) a complete, clear definition of the AMS reusable block, structured into three separate facets or views: the behavioral, structural, and layout facets, the two first for top-down electrical synthesis and bottom-up verification, the latter used during bottom-up physical synthesis; (3) the design for reusability set of tools, methods, and guidelines that, relying on intensive parameterization as well as on design knowledge capture and encapsulation, allows to produce fully reusable AMS blocks. A case study and a functional silicon prototype demonstrate the validity of the paper's proposals.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TEC2004-0175

    Geometrically-constrained, parasitic-aware synthesis of analog ICs

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    In order to speed up the design process of analog ICs, iterations between different design stages should be avoided as much as possible. More specifically, spins between electrical and physical synthesis should be reduced for this is a very time-consuming task: if circuit performance including layout-induced degradations proves unacceptable, a re-design cycle must be entered, and electrical, physical, or both synthesis processes, would have to be repeated. It is also worth noting that if geometric optimization (e.g., area minimization) is undertaken after electrical synthesis, it may add up as another source of unexpected degradation of the circuit performance due to the impact of the geometric variables (e.g., transistor folds) on the device and the routing parasitic values. This awkward scenario is caused by the complete separation of said electrical and physical synthesis, a design practice commonly followed so far. Parasitic-aware synthesis, consisting in including parasitic estimates to the circuit netlist directly during electrical synthesis, has been proposed as solution. While most of the reported contributions either tackle parasitic-aware synthesis without paying special attention to geometric optimization or approach both issues only partially, this paper addresses the problem in a unified way. In what has been called layout-aware electrical synthesis, a simulation-based optimization algorithm explores the design space with geometric variables constrained to meet certain user-defined goals, which provides reliable estimates of layout-induced parasitics at each iteration, and, thereby, accurate evaluation of the circuit ultimate performance. This technique, demonstrated here through several design examples, requires knowing layout details beforehand; to facilitate this, procedural layout generation is used as physical synthesis approach due to its rapidness and ability to capture analog layout know-how.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TEC2004-0175

    ET^2: A Metric For Time and Energy Efficiency of Computation

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    We investigate an efficiency metric for VLSI computation that includes energy, E, and time, t, in the form E t^2. We apply the metric to CMOS circuits operating outside velocity saturation when energy and delay can be exchanged by adjusting the supply voltage; we prove that under these assumptions, optimal Et^2 implies optimal energy and delay. We give experimental and simulation evidences of the range and limits of the assumptions. We derive several results about sequential, parallel, and pipelined computations optimized for E t^2, including a result about the optimal length of a pipeline. We discuss transistor sizing for optimal Et^2 and show that, for fixed, nonzero execution rates, the optimum is achieved when the sum of the transistor-gate capacitances is twice the sum of the parasitic capacitances-not for minimum transistor sizes. We derive an approximation for E t^n (for arbitrary n) of an optimally sized system that can be computed without actually sizing the transistors; we show that this approximation is accurate. We prove that when multiple, adjustable supply voltages are allowed, the optimal Et^2 for the sequential composition of components is achieved when the supply voltages are adjusted so that the components consume equal power. Finally, we give rules for computing the Et^2 of the sequential and parallel compositions of systems, when the Et^2 of the components are known

    A Layout-Aware Circuit Sizing Model Using Parametric Analysis

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    We propose a circuit sizing model that takes layout parasitics into account. The circuit and layout parameters are stored in a parameterized layout description format, GBLD. The layout parasitics are stored as closed form expressions. Layout optimization tools can modify the layout and recalculate parasitics on the fly. If the results of sensitivity analysis are passed to those tools, optimization for performance can be achieved with relatively few iterations involving time consuming circuit simulations

    GBLD: A Formal Model for Layout Description and Generation

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    In this paper, we introduce a layout description and generation model, GBLD, based on the notions and elements of L-systems and context-free grammars. Our layout model is compatible with geometric layout formats, such as GDSII or CIF. However, it is more powerful and more concise. The layouts represented by GBLD are sizeable, parameterised, and can incorporate design rules. GBLD has the potential to be used as a format for analog layout templates, analog layout retargeting, as well as the final layout format

    Technology Independent Synthesis of CMOS Operational Amplifiers

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    Analog circuit design does not enjoy as much automation as its digital counterpart. Analog sizing is inherently knowledge intensive and requires accurate modeling of the different parametric effects of the devices. Besides, the set of constraints in a typical analog design problem is large, involving complex tradeoffs. For these reasons, the task of modeling an analog design problem in a form viable for automation is much more tedious than the digital design. Consequently, analog blocks are still handcrafted intuitively and often become a bottleneck in the integrated circuit design, thereby increasing the time to market. In this work, we address the problem of automatically solving an analog circuit design problem. Specifically, we propose methods to automate the transistor-level sizing of OpAmps. Given the specifications and the netlist of the OpAmp, our methodology produces a design that has the accuracy of the BSIM models used for simulation and the advantage of a quick design time. The approach is based on generating an initial first-order design and then refining it. In principle, the refining approach is a simulated-annealing scheme that uses (i) localized simulations and (ii) convex optimization scheme (COS). The optimal set of input variables for localized simulations has been selected by using techniques from Design of Experiments (DOE). To formulate the design problem as a COS problem, we have used monomial circuit models that are fitted from simulation data. These models accurately predict the performance of the circuit in the proximity of the initial guess. The models can also be used to gain valuable insight into the behavior of the circuit and understand the interrelations between the different performance constraints. A software framework that implements this methodology has been coded in SKILL language of Cadence. The methodology can be applied to design different OpAmp topologies across different technologies. In other words, the framework is both technology independent and topology independent. In addition, we develop a scheme to empirically model the small signal parameters like \u27gm\u27 and \u27gds\u27 of CMOS transistors. The monomial device models are reusable for a given technology and can be used to formulate the OpAmp design problem as a COS problem. The efficacy of the framework has been demonstrated by automatically designing different OpAmp topologies across different technologies. We designed a two-stage OpAmp and a telescopic OpAmp in TSMC025 and AMI016 technologies. Our results show significant (10–15%) improvement in the performance of both the OpAmps in both the technologies. While the methodology has shown encouraging results in the sub-micrometer regime, the effectiveness of the tool has to be investigated in the deep-sub-micron technologies

    Asynchronous logic for high variability nano-CMOS

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    At the nanoscale level, parameter variations in fabricated devices cause extreme variability in delay. Delay variations are also the main issue in subthreshold operation. Consequently, asynchronous logic seems an ideal, and probably unavoidable choice, for the design of digital circuits in nano CMOS or other emerging technologies. This paper examines the robustness of one particular asynchronous logic: quasi-delay insensitive or QDI. We identify the three components of this logic that can be affected by extreme variability: staticizer, isochronic fork, and rings. We show that staticizers can be eliminated, and isochronic forks and rings can be made arbitrarily robust to timing variations

    MOS CURRENT MODE LOGIC (MCML) ANALYSIS FOR QUIET DIGITAL CIRCUITRY AND CREATION OF A STANDARD CELL LIBRARY FOR REDUCING THE DEVELOPMENT TIME OF MIXED-SIGNAL CHIPS

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    Many modern digital systems use forms of CMOS logical implementation due to the straight forward design nature of CMOS logic and minimal device area since CMOS uses fewer transistors than other logic families. To achieve high-performance requirements in mixed-signal chip development and quiet, noiseless circuitry, this thesis provides an alternative toCMOSin the form of MOS Current Mode Logic (MCML). MCML dissipates constant current and does not produce noise during value changing in a circuit CMOS circuits do. CMOS logical networks switch during clock ticks and with every device switching, noise is created on the supply and ground to deal with the transitions. Creating a noiseless standard cell library with MCML allows use of circuitry that uses low voltage switching with 1.5V between logic levels in a quiet or mixed-signal environment as opposed to the full rail to rail swinging of CMOS logic. This allows cohesive implementation with analog circuitry on the same chip due to constant current and lower switching ranges not creating rail noise during digital switching. Standard cells allow for the Cadence tools to automatically generate circuits and Cadence serves as the development platform for the MCML standard cells. The theory surrounding MCML is examined along with current and future applications well-suited for MCML are researched and explored with the goal of highlighting valid candidate circuits for MCML. Inverters and NAND gates with varying current drives are developed to meet these specialized goals and are simulated to prove viability for quiet, mixed-signal applications. Analysis and results show that MCML is a superior implementation choice compared toCMOSfor high speed and mixed signal applications due to frequency independent power dissipation and lack of generated noise during operation. Noise results show rail current deviations of 50nA to 300nA during switching over an average operating current of 20µA to 80µA respectively. The multiple order of magnitude difference between noise and signal allow the MCML cells to dissipate constant power and thus perform with no noise added to a system. Additional simulated results of a 31-stage ring oscillator result in a frequency for MCML of 1.57GHz simulated versus the 150.35MHz that MOSIS tested on a fabricated 31-stage CMOS oscillator. The layouts designed for the standard cell library conform to existing On Semiconductor ami06 technology dimensions and allow for design of any logical function to be fabricated. The I/O signals of each cell operate at the same input and output voltage swings which allow seamless integration with each other for implementation in any logical configuration

    Area-power-delay trade-off in logic synthesis

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    This thesis introduces new concepts to perform area-power-delay trade-offs in a logic synthesis system. To achieve this, a new delay model is presented, which gives accurate delay estimations for arbitrary sets of Boolean expressions. This allows use of this delay model already during the very first steps of logic synthesis. Furthermore, new algorithms are presented for a number of different optimization tasks within logic synthesis. There are new algorithms to create prime irredundant Boo lean expressions, to perform technology mapping for use with standard cell generators, and to perform gate sizing. To prove the validity of the presented ideas, benchmark results are given throughout the thesis
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