Parameterizable Analog Building Blocks for Semiconductor Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of semiconductor analog circuits is hindered by the need for specific tailoring of components, preventing the use of standardized cells and increasing the complexity and time required for creation and placement of electronic components like transistors and capacitors in advanced silicon technologies.
Innovation Solution
A parameterizable design system that employs an interface, database, parameterization, simulation, and analysis units to allow designers to work with parameterizable analog building blocks, simplifying the design process by eliminating the need to work at a transistor level and automating the creation of device symbols, circuit diagrams, and mask layouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If standardized cells are used for circuit design, then design time and complexity are reduced, but analog circuits cannot be properly designed because they require specific tailoring of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming fixed standardized cells into parameterizable building blocks. Designers can adjust parameters such as transistor width, length, and other component characteristics to tailor the analog circuit performance while still using a standardized cell-based framework. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the time efficiency of standardized cells while gaining the adaptability needed for analog design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the building blocks configurable and adaptable through parameter adjustment. Rather than static standardized cells, the system allows dynamic modification of component parameters to meet specific analog design requirements, enabling both efficiency and flexibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If designers work at transistor level to meet design specifications, then design precision is improved, but design complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking down the design process into hierarchical levels: parameterizable building blocks that can be configured to meet specifications, rather than requiring direct transistor-level design. This segmentation allows designers to work at an intermediate level of abstraction, reducing complexity while maintaining precision through the parameterized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between standardized cells and final analog circuit implementation. The parameterizable building blocks serve as intermediaries that translate high-level design specifications into concrete circuit implementations, reducing the complexity gap between standardized design and precision analog requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If custom-tailored components are used for analog circuits, then design specification accuracy is met, but the creation and placement of electronic components becomes significantly more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a library of parameterizable building blocks that can serve multiple functions. These blocks can be configured for different analog applications (amplifiers, filters, oscillators, etc.) by adjusting parameters rather than creating custom components from scratch, thereby maintaining design precision while improving ease of manufacture and placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A parameterizable design system is for use with semiconductor analog circuits and includes an interface unit connected to provide access to the system, a database unit connected to supply a library of parameterizable analog building blocks for a design entity, and a parameterization unit connected to select a parameter for one of the library of parameterizable analog building blocks to meet a design specification of the design entity. Additionally, the parameterizable design system may also include a simulation unit connected to simulate an operation of the design entity employing the parameter, and an analyzer unit connected to analyze a sensitivity of the parameter for the design entity based on the design specification. A method of designing a semiconductor analog circuit is also included.