Intrinsic evolution of analog circuits on a programmable analog multiplexer array

Abstract

This work discusses an Evolvable Hardware (EHW) platform for the intrinsic evolution of analog electronic circuits. The EHW analog platform, named PAMA-NG (Programmable Analog Multiplexer Array-Next Generation), is a reconfigurable platform that consists of integrated circuits whose internal connections can be programmed by Evolutionary Computation techniques, such as Genetic Algorithms (GAs), to synthesize circuits. The PAMA-NG is classified as Field Programmable Analog Array (FPAA). FPAAs are reconfigurable devices that will become the building blocks of a forthcoming class of hardware, with the important features of self-adaptation and self-repairing, through automatic reconfiguration. The PAMA-NG platform architectural details, concepts and characteristics are discussed. Two case studies, with promising results, are described: a logarithmic amplifier and an S membership function circuit of a fuzzy logic controller. © Springer-Verlag 2004.