The Past, Present, and Future of Data Converters and Mixed Signal ICs: A "Universal" Model

In both technology and business circles, much attention is paid to the trends in the electronics and semiconductor industry. It is frequently noted that the "world is going digital"-with the implication that analog circuits and data converters will ultimately be relegated to a support role for enormous digital VLSI "masters". This paper considers a number of different models for development from different fields of science, looking for possible insights or implications for the future of mixed signal processing. It then considers a brief history of converter development, and emerging data converter trends, looking for clues to the future of data converters and mixed signal ICs