Analog circuit design is often the bottleneck when designing mixed
analog-digital systems. A Top-Down, Constraint-Driven Design
Methodology for Analog Integrated Circuits presents a new methodology
based on a top-down, constraint-driven design paradigm that provides a
solution to this problem. This methodology has two principal advantages:
(1) it provides a high probability for the first silicon which meets all
specifications, and (2) it shortens the design cycle.
A Top-Down, Constraint-Driven Design Methodology for Analog Integrated
Circuits is part of an ongoing research effort at the University of
California at Berkeley in the Electrical Engineering and Computer
Sciences Department. Many faculty and students, past and present, are
working on this design methodology and its supporting tools. The
principal goals are: (1) developing the design methodology, (2)
developing and applying new tools, and (3) `proving' the methodology by
undertaking `industrial strength' design examples. The work presented
here is neither a beginning nor an end in the development of a complete
top-down, constraint-driven design methodology, but rather a step in its
development.
This work is divided into three parts. Chapter 2 presents the design
methodology along with foundation material. Chapters 3-8 describe
supporting concepts for the methodology, from behavioral simulation and
modeling to circuit module generators. Finally, Chapters 9-11 illustrate
the methodology in detail by presenting the entire design cycle through
three large-scale examples. These include the design of a current source
D/A converter, a Sigma-Delta A/D converter, and a video driver system.
Chapter 12 presents conclusions and current research topics.
A Top-Down, Constraint-Driven Design Methodology for Analog Integrated
Circuits will be of interest to analog and mixed-signal designers as
well as CAD tool developers.
