[SOLVED] How to prototype an analog Design?

[Sink0]

Is it possible to protype an Analog VLSI? If yes, any reference?

Thank you!

 

[palmeiras]

Hi Sink0.

do you mean prototype an analog VLSI? Could you clarify your question?

 

[keith1200rs]

If you mean an analog IC design then the answer is no. With the Zetex 700 series arrays they had prototype parts in packages which you could wire up in to a (huge) board to test it but the parasitics from doing it that way meant it was of limited value, or none.

In general, you must be very thorough and thoughtful in you simulations and you need good models.

Keith

 

[Sink0]

Hi Sink0.

do you mean prototype an analog VLSI? Could you clarify your question?

Producing an analog IC in small quantities...

If you mean an analog IC design then the answer is no. With the Zetex 700 series arrays they had prototype parts in packages which you could wire up in to a (huge) board to test it but the parasitics from doing it that way meant it was of limited value, or none.

In general, you must be very thorough and thoughtful in you simulations and you need good models.

Keith

So how new designs are tested? Just with simulation and than they go for mass-production??

I usually read some academic articles that describes a new IC, and usually in the end of the article they show a photo of the chip. How they that if they can make it in small quantities? How about research on that field? Is kind hard to always trust on simulations.

On my university we got a ion implantation system that was built a long long long time ago on a master thesis, but i dont belive it would be usefull for designing a real IC.

Thank you for the answers!

 

[keith1200rs]

OK. You rely on simulation but for testing you would usually use an MPW - multi project wafer. Lots of designs from different people are pooled on to one mask set and just a few wafers and the costs shared. You get maybe 20 or 50 chips and the costs are quite low. If it works you then need to pay for a production mask set and full wafer batch.

Keith

 

[Sink0]

Thats the information i was looking for! Thnk you!!