Mixed-Signal Layout Generation Concepts covers important
physical-design issues that exist in contemporary analog and
mixed-signal design flows. Due to the increasing pressure on
time-to-market, the steep increase in chip fabrication costs, and the
increasing design complexity, it becomes even more challenging to
produce a first-time right IC layout. The fundamental issues in creating
a layout are placement and routing. Although these coupled problems have
been investigated for many decades, no satisfactory automated solution
has emerged yet. Fortunately, supported by modern computing power and
results of new research that further improve computation efficiency,
significant steps forward have been taken.
Mixed-Signal Layout Generation Concepts brings together many
principles and techniques required to successfully develop and implement
layout generation tools to accommodate many mixed-signal layout
generation needs. Not only does it provide a comprehensive overview of
state-of-the-art concepts, it also illustrates many concepts with
intuitive examples and pseudo code. Altogether, it facilitates creation
of insight in a vast and complex area.
For those who are new to the area of mixed-signal layout generation,
this book provides an excellent introduction to advanced topics in this
area. A practicing EDA researcher or tool developer might find this book
a useful reference that combines classical and new principles. In
addition, this book relates theories to each other and to pragmatic
implementations. Finally, the designer, or layout artist, interested to
have a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts in mixed-signal
layout generation, can take advantage of the self-contained chapters in
this book.
