High-level design case of a switched-capacitor low-pass filter using Verilog-A

System design requires experienced designers that use heuristics and built up knowledge to propose a high order solution. Behavioral models can help to formalise, optimise and speed up this design cycle. A design case is presented that shows how behavioral models are used to support system design. Models of two basic analog functions (operational amplifier and switch) are developed in Verilog-A and used in the design of a 1/sup st/-order switched-capacitor low-pass filter. This allows one to find a first-order system solution on a higher level than the fully designed transistor schematic. The specifications of the subblocks can then be refined rapidly into a transistor netlist by an analog designer.