Efficient symbolic computation of approximated small-signal characteristics

A symbolic analysis tool is presented that generates approximate symbolic expressions for the small-signal characteristics of large analog integrated circuits. The expressions are approximated while they are computed, so that only those terms are generated which remain in the final expression. This principle causes drastic savings in CPU time and memory, largely increasing the maximum size of circuits that can be analyzed. By taking into account a range for the value of a circuit parameter rather than one single number, the generated expressions are generally valid. Mismatch handling is explicitly taken into account in the new algorithm. The capabilities of the new tool are illustrated with several experimental results.<
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