Analogue Circuit Design Automation via Hierarchical Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automation of analogue circuit design is challenging due to parasitic effects and the reliance on manual 'best guess' estimates, leading to inefficient and prone-to-failure circuit designs.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical design apparatus comprising a primary design unit and secondary design units that iteratively adapt circuit portions based on context-specific technical criteria, simulating interactions to optimize analogue circuit design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual 'best guess' estimates are used for analogue circuit design, then design flexibility and engineering judgment are maintained, but design reliability deteriorates due to parasitic effects and over-engineering
Solution Approach 1:
The design system segments the analogue circuit into multiple circuit portions (e.g., amplifiers, filters, oscillators) that can be designed and optimized independently. Each portion is assigned specific technical criteria based on its function, allowing automated design while maintaining reliability through targeted optimization of individual components rather than treating the entire circuit as a monolithic unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts key design parameters (component values, operating conditions) for each circuit portion based on simulated performance and technical criteria. By changing parameters iteratively and adapting designs to specific context requirements, the system achieves reliable circuits without manual intervention while accounting for parasitic effects.
2Productivity
If manual design approaches are used, then context-specific optimization can be performed, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming iterative adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback loops where simulated performance data from circuit portions is fed back to adjust design parameters. This iterative feedback process automatically optimizes each circuit portion based on its impact on overall circuit performance, dramatically increasing productivity while managing complexity through algorithmic control rather than manual trial-and-error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary simulations and analyses to determine optimal technical criteria for each circuit portion before final design. By preparing design guidelines and performance targets in advance based on simulated context, the system accelerates subsequent design iterations and reduces overall design time while maintaining optimization quality.
3Reliability
If circuits are over-engineered to account for parasitic effects, then reliability improves, but manufacturing efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different design criteria and optimization levels to different circuit portions based on their specific functions and sensitivity to parasitic effects. Rather than uniformly over-engineering the entire circuit, each portion receives tailored optimization that accounts for its local context, achieving reliable performance while minimizing unnecessary complexity and improving manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An analogue circuit design apparatus is disclosed comprising a primary design unit and a plurality of secondary design units. The primary design unit is configured to: identify a plurality of circuit portions for forming the analogue circuit; determine for each circuit portion respective technical criteria; and provide the respective technical criteria to at least one of a plurality of secondary design units. Each of the plurality of secondary design units is configured to: design a respective circuit portion based on the technical criteria for that respective circuit portion; and output a resulting initial design of the respective circuit portion. After at least an initial design of a given circuit portion has been completed by at least another one of the secondary design units, at least one of the secondary design units is configured to adapt its output initial design based on a context of its corresponding circuit portion.