Did you know that multi-die architectures now represent over 50% of new semiconductor designs, marking a significant shift in chip development strategy? It’s true. There’s now a clear trend towards more multi-die designs, especially in data center, AI, and server applications where the complexity of the chips is too large to fit on a single […]
Analog ICs
ATE test contactors for Analog/RF/MMWave device testing
Ironwood Electronics introduces its new Raptor line of ATE (automatic test equipment) test contactors. The cartridges, configured as quickly replaceable cartridges — a first for ATE applications — utilize Ironwood’s proprietary lamination technology for increased precision, convenience, and Mean Time Between Assist (MTBA). PicoRaptor high-performance rigid contact pins provide both high bandwidth and high insertion […]
Eight-channel driver and photo receiver join precision IC family
Apex Microtechnology announced the addition of two new devices to its Precision IC product line: an 8-channel driver and a photo receiver amplifier IC. These devices join the family of nine linear amplifier ICs and four driver and sensor ICs, expanding the range of products providing supply voltages up to 350V with multi-channel architectures. The […]
Mixed-signal platform operates at 175° C for industrial use
onsemi has launched its Treo Platform, a new 65 nm BCD process integrates analog and mixed-signal functions operating from 1-90 V at temperatures up to 175° C. The process platform targets power management and sensing applications across automotive, medical, industrial and data center markets. The platform’s modular architecture helps customers streamline design processes and reduce […]
New collaboration brings industry-grade chip fabrication to Georgia Tech students
Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Texas Instruments (TI) have announced a strategic collaboration to advance analog circuit education and prepare students for the growing demand in the semiconductor industry. The collaboration centers around the launch of a new course, ECE 4804: Analog VLSI (Very-Large-Scale Integration) I: Tapeout, which […]
What is an analog front end (AFE) in a battery management system (BMS)?
Integrated into battery management systems (BMS), an analog front end (AFE) digitizes and processes key inputs to ensure safe and efficient operation. While AFEs play a crucial role in electric vehicle (EV) Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery traction packs, they are also used in other applications, such as high-voltage data acquisition (DAQ) systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), […]
Design and simulation powerhouses merge to deliver “silicon-to-systems” approach
Synopsys, a semiconductor design technology company, has announced its acquisition of Ansys, a simulation and analysis solutions provider. The deal, valued at approximately $35 billion, is expected to close in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory and shareholder approval. The acquisition aims to address the fusion of electronics and physics, augmented with AI, and […]
What is analog design for integrated circuits?
Analog design for integrated circuits (ICs) involves creating devices and systems that process continuous signals. Analog plays a crucial role in translating real-world information such as sound, light, and temperature into electrical signals and vice versa. This article discusses the primary differences between analog and digital ICs, reviews key analog applications, and explores common analog […]
If you’re designing mixed-signal ICs, here are some tools to consider
Mixed-signal ICs are increasingly common in automotive, internet of Things (IoT), medical, industrial, consumer, and other applications. Designing mixed-signal ICs is more complex than simply designing an analog section and a digital section. There’s the interactions and interconnections between the sections, and the need to integrate software into the final solution. That makes designing mixed-signal […]
What are the elements of analog IC EDA tools?
Analog functions like sensor interfaces, signal conditioning, power management, and energy harvesting are needed in many applications. These functions are implemented with circuits like operational amplifiers, regulators, filters, sense amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, phase-locked loops, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), mixers, analog receiver front ends, and so on. These functions complement digital processing and can be implemented as […]