gPCDS: An interactive tool for creating schematic module generators in analog IC design

Optimization-based design automation for analog ICs still remains behind the demands. A promising alternative is given by procedural approaches such as parameterized generators, also known as PCells. We are working on a complete analog design flow based on parameterized generators for entire circuits and corresponding layout modules. Because the conventional programming of such enhanced generators is far too complicated and costly, new methods are needed to ease their development. This paper presents gPCDS (graphical PCDS), a novel tool for a designer-oriented development of schematic module generators, integrated into a common schematic entry environment. The tool is based on PCDS (Parameterized Circuit Description Scheme), a meta-language for the creation of parametrized analog circuits. Schematic module generators are a very desirable complement to layout module generators in order to achieve a seamless schematic-driven layout design flow on module level. By facilitating a way of generator development that matches a design expert's mentality, gPCDS contributes to close this gap in the analog design flow.

I. Introduction

The design of analog integrated circuits requires an extensive amount of expert knowledge and creativity, due to the big diversity of requirements to be considered (a difficulty known as “More than Moore”). Therefore, analog IC design is still dominated by manual work, which is time-consuming, costly, and error-prone. To improve this situation, two attempts come into consideration; (1) design automation and (2) design re-use.