Spec-to-Layout Automation Flow for Buck Converters with Current-Mode Control in SOC Applications

This paper presents an integrated automatic design flow for DC-DC power converter circuits. This flow includes circuit synthesis, large and small signal circuit analysis, layout placement/routing, and post-layout simulation. In order to improve the transient response of DC-DC conversion, the buck converter with current-mode controller is chosen as the target of this flow. We apply both the equation-based and the simulation-based methods to improve the accuracy of circuit synthesis. And an advanced layout placement methodology suitable for mixed-mode and power circuits is adopted to optimize the on-chip area. As demonstrated through several cases, this flow is able to generate a feasible buck converter from specification to layout in a short time.