Analog CAD for Consumer ICs

Abstract

Although CAD tools for analog IC design have a relatively long history, the automation of the analog IC design process is still in its infancy. This is mainly due to the fact that during the last ten years most emphasis has been placed on digital CAD. Currently analog CAD is receiving a lot of attention from universities, commercial CAD suppliers and CAD R&D centres in leading IC companies. In this paper we will show that automating parts of the analog IC design process is feasible, but far from being simple. We will mainly focus on how the problems associated with automated analog design are tackled by Philips’ CAD teams by describing our activities on automated analog circuit and layout synthesis. It will become obvious that IC design expertise is indispensable in successfully solving these problems. We will conclude by summarising a number of possible directions for future analog CAD research.