Analysis on Performance Controllability under Process Variability: A Step Towards Grid-Based Analog Circuit Optimizers

This paper motivates grid-based analog circuit optimizer. A continuous design space, which is explored by an analog circuit optimizer, can be transformed into a discrete space by leveraging the variability and uncertainty in modern IC technologies. It is noted that –in presence of process, temperature, and voltage (PVT) variation and individual device mismatches, one design has to be sufficiently different from another in order for them to be distinguished by their performance metrics. It implies that not all design points are unique and a finite number of sample points can cover the entire design space. Examples of an oscillator and a differential amplifier demonstrate that the minimum grid spacing required is quite coarse (~20%), showing promises that a grid-based analog circuit optimizer may be a viable approach.