Designing analog ICs can be a time-consuming and nit-picky process. As with the design of digital ICs, speed, power, and area (SPA) considerations are important. However, in the case of analog ICs, added challenges include gain, bandwidth, signal distortion, noise sensitivity, power supply sensitivity, thermal sensitivity, and more. All the major electronic design automation (EDA) […]
Analog ICs
Managing design complexity and global collaboration with IP-centric design
Semiconductor design complexity has increased exponentially in recent years, and this challenge is exacerbated by the need to collaborate and scale across multiple, globally distributed teams while accelerating time to market. On top of these elements, the industry has been confronted with a major obstacle: the current talent shortage. There is no quick fix to […]
4-port, GbE PHY includes SAR ADC
Faraday Technology Corporation announces the availability of its 4-port Gigabit Ethernet PHY on UMC’s 28HPC+ process. This silicon-proven GPHY features an SAR ADC for superior PPA advantages and an advanced digital algorithm that significantly enhances SNR (signal-to-noise ratio). Designed to meet the growing demands for highly integrated SoC solutions in networking, consumer, and industrial automation […]
Siemens expands capabilities of IC design tools with EDA acquisition
Siemens Digital Industries Software announced that it has completed the acquisition of Insight EDA Inc., an EDA software company delivering groundbreaking circuit reliability solutions to many of the world’s leading integrated circuit (IC) design teams. Insight EDA’s technology identifies and helps address design-specific potential circuit reliability failure areas, bolstering the confidence of design engineers in […]
How to specify and use analog switches
An analog switch is an IC that can be used to control connections to analog and digital signals. These switches provide bidirectional connections when “on” and high impedance paths when “off.” There’s a wide range of analog switches for special functions. In some instances, they are used in place of mechanical switches. In other embodiments, […]
How do comparators and op amps compare?
Operational amplifiers (op amps) and comparators have two inputs, inverting and noninverting, and an output that can usually swing from rail to rail and have the same schematic symbol. So, what’s the difference? This FAQ compares the two devices and digs into some of the similarities and differences. It begins with a top-level comparison of […]
Analog subsystem simplifies integration of multiple analog IPs into ASICs
Agile Analog has launched its first range of analog subsystems, covering power management, PVT sensing, and sleep management. These innovative, digitally wrapped subsystems significantly reduce the effort required to integrate multiple analog IPs into any ASIC by allowing the IP to be dropped straight into a digital design flow and connected via a standard peripheral […]
How to specify and use voltage references
Voltage references are small components that can have a significant impact, either positive or negative, on system performance. They are precision devices that maintain a constant voltage output even in the presence of changes in temperature, input voltage, and other external parameters. When measuring the analog world, voltage references ensure that data converters, detection circuits, […]
When reality intrudes on component models and equivalent circuits
Determining the utility of an equivalent-circuit model versus construction reality is often a difficult challenge. Using simplified, first-order approximations in models and equivalent circuits is a normal part of engineering life. Without them, we would get mired in the details and harsh reality of the components and their characteristics. We would never be able to […]
Stamped spring pin socket features no solder PCB mount
Ironwood Electronics introduces stamped spring pin socket addressing high performance requirements for testing BGA35 – CBT-BGA-7525. The contactor is a stamped spring pin with 8 gram actuation force per ball and cycle life of 75,000 insertions. The self-inductance of the contactor is 0.92 nH, insertion loss < 1 dB at 24.7 GHz, and capacitance 0.058pF. The current […]
