Embedding MATLAB Optimizers in SIMSIDES for the High-Level Design of $\Sigma \Delta$ Modulators

This brief shows how to combine SIMSIDES, a SIMULINK-based time-domain behavioral simulator, with different optimization engines available in MATLAB for the automated high-level design of sigma-delta (ΣΔ) modulators. To this purpose, an updated version of SIMSIDES has been developed, which includes a user-friendly interface that links the simulator with the optimizers, and guides designers through the main steps required to set the design variables, constraints and select the most suitable algorithm to maximize the performance of an arbitrary modulator topology for a given set of specifications. Several examples and results of the optimization procedure are shown to illustrate the benefits of the presented tool for the high-level synthesis of ΣΔ modulators.