Automated Design of Analog Circuits Accelerated by Use of Simplified MOS Model and Reuse of Genetic Operations

This paper presents an automated design of linear and non-linear differential analog circuits accelerated by reuse of genetic operations. The system first synthesizes circuits using pairs of simplified MOSFET model. During the evolutionary process, genetic operations that improve circuit characteristics are stored in a database and reused to effectively obtain a better circuit. Simplified elements in a generated circuit are replaced by MOSFETs and optimization of the transistor size is performed using an optimizer available in market if necessary. The capability of this method is demonstrated through experiments of synthesis of a differential voltage amplifier, a circuit having cube-law characteristic in differential mode and square-law characteristic in common-mode, and a dB-linear VGA (Variable Gain Amplifier). The results show the reuse of genetic operations accelerates the synthesis and success rate becomes 100%.