Automated design of switched-current cells

The switched-current circuit technique allows mixed-signal IC's including data-converters and filters to be fabricated in a conventional CMOS process. ASIMOV, described in this paper, is a CAD tool to support the systematic design of such circuits. It is capable of topology selection and sizing of current memory cells from a set of user specifications. Analytical models, coupled with numerical optimization guided by a heuristic rule-base, are used for fast response time. Models for the most commonly used cells are implemented.