Layout-Aware Analog Synthesis Methodology: Approaches for Parasitic-Inclusive Symbolic Circuit Representation and Extraction for Synthesis

Layout-induced parasitics have significant effects on the behavior of circuits in general and the performance of high-frequency analog ones in particular. To achieve parasite-inclusive performance-closure, layout-aware circuit synthesis methodologies are beginning to emerge. In layout-in-the-loop synthesis methodologies, performance analysis is based on the generation of a concrete layout for the explored circuit sizes. A parasite-inclusive circuit is extracted from the layout using a standard extractor and is analyzed using a simulator to determine whether the required constraints are met; this is time consuming. Various approaches of estimating parasitics lack the correctness that would only come from examining the layout itself. The proposed approach tries to include the exactness of the layout to be generated without actually generating it. It relies on using pre-generated structures for the specified unsized circuit; these structures are generated pre-synthesis and contain the information that a layout would have provided to a synthesis process if it was to be generated. This information contains extraction specifics for modules, their location and routing characteristics.

Raoul Badaoui holds a PhD in computer engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor of engineering from the American University of Beirut. His research focus was on Analog VLSI Electronic Design Automation. He currently works as a research and development engineering lead for Certify, an FPGA prototyping software at Synopsys.