ADONIS: Correct by Architecture Libraries

ADONIS

ADONIS

ADONIS Correct-by-Architecture (CBA) libraries are key to the productivity and process portability achieved through the ADONIS system. CBA libraries embed years of commercial analog IC design know-how embedded in a robust and broadly re-usable library structures. This CBA structural approach enables the circuit design engineer to explore the topology and the physical realities simultaneously. The initial circuit simulation accounts for 80% of the layout parasitics as the cells are already pre-designed, characterized, and with layout completed. The initial schematic also reflects the physical floorplan and enables the circuit designer to have early assessment of the relationship between the active transistor areas and the larger passive and reactive elements. Finally, the circuit designer can build the layout with a simple “route” command. The productivity benefits in the ADONIS system are rooted in giving a physical context to the designer much earlier in the process.

The CBA libraries are designed to support four specific use models.

1. IP instantiation: Provides a set of validated analog building blocks or Known Good Macros (KGM) that can be directly used stand-alone or in the creation of larger analog functions. In this case, it is IP instantiation inside the analog portion of the system under design.
2. IP customization and instantiation: Enables the designer to change existing KGMs to their purpose specific needs. Again, the benefits of the CBA structure come into play here. The CBA library has thousands of “variant” cells that enable the operating point of the KGM to be moved. There is very little design risk in this model since the cells are automatically swapped out, and all the base and variant cells have already been validated. During the process of creating the new KGM variant, all of the supporting library elements are created needed for re-use in the future.
3. Custom design creation:  Provides the basic library elements for complete designer freedom. Rathe than completely starting from scratch, the designer creates a new design using pre-defined and validated cells, while leveraging the benefits of the ADONIS approach. In practice, the designer usually uses core KGM’s such as the bandgap reference and bias generators and then builds custom circuitry for the desired function. As with the second use model, all of the supporting library elements are created needed for re-use in the future.
4. Process migration: Finally, the fourth model is to enable the designer to move a design from one process variant to another. This is possible between any two process variants that are supported by CBA libraries.

The CBA library approach also facilitates unique value when structure is key, such as in Radiation Hardness by Design, and Design portability. The table below shows current CBA library availability: