A Prototype Framework for Knowledge-Based Analog Circuit Synthesis

An organization for a knowledge-based analog circuit synthesis tool is described. Analog circuit topologies are represented as a hierarchy of functional blocks; a planning mechanism is introduced to translate performance specifications between levels in this circuit hierarchy. A prototype implementation, OASYS, synthesizes sized transistor schematics for simple CMOS operational amplifiers from performance specifications and process parameters, and demonstrates the workability of the approach.

[1]  Gerald Roylance.  A Simple Model of Circuit Design , 1980 .

[2]  Alberto L. Sangiovanni-Vincentelli,et al.  DELIGHT.SPICE: an optimization-based system for the design of integrated circuits , 1988, IEEE Trans. Comput. Aided Des. Integr. Circuits Syst..

[3]  Donald E. Thomas,et al.  Automatic Data Path Synthesis , 1983, Computer.

[4]  M. Yamatake,et al.  A 150W opamp , 1985, 1985 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference. Digest of Technical Papers.

[5]  Donald E. Thomas,et al.  The VLSI Design Automation Assistant: What's in a Knowledge Base , 1985, DAC 1985.

[6]  Gerald Jay Sussman,et al.  Heuristic techniques in computer-aided circuit analysis , 1975 .

[7]  D.D. Gajski,et al.  An Expert-System Paradigm for Design , 1986, 23rd ACM/IEEE Design Automation Conference.

[8]  W.P. Birmingham,et al.  MICON: A Knowledge Based Single Board Computer Designer , 1984, 21st Design Automation Conference Proceedings.

[9]  Rinaldo Castello,et al.  Performance limitations in switched-capacitor filters , 1985 .

[10]  Gerald Jay Sussman,et al.  Propagation of constraints applied to circuit synthesis , 1980 .

[11]  Brian C. Williams,et al.  Qualitative Analysis of MOS Circuits , 1984, Artif. Intell..

[12]  Mario Barbacci,et al.  Instruction set processor specifications (ISPS): The notation and its applications , 1981, IEEE Transactions on Computers.

[13]  Willy Sansen,et al.  The current efficiency of MOS transconductance amplifiers , 1984 .

[14]  Y. Therasse,et al.  A Switched-capacitor Filter Compiler , 1987 .

[15]  Michael L. Bushnell.  VLSI CAD Tool Integration Using the Ulysses Environment , 1986, DAC 1986.

[16]  D.E. Thomas.  The automatic synthesis of digital systems , 1981, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[17]  Daniel P. Siewiorek,et al.  Exploiting Domain Knowledge in IC Cell Layout , 1984, IEEE Design & Test of Computers.