Analog Re-Use in Mixed Signal Circuits via Analog Time Encoding in Shared Die Tapeouts

Very recent developments in microelectronics work-force programs have enabled many more designers to explore mixed signal integrated circuit design from concept to fabricated validation and test at dramatically reduced cost and effort, and in a shared community open source ecosystem. This ecosystem capability to do many shared tapeout spins reduces innovation risks of new mixed signal design approaches such as analog time encoding, which are difficult to develop using only simulation verification. Analog time encoding using predominantly digital cell libraries increases analog re-use, synthesis and programmability via digitally intensive analog circuits. A description of an approach using circuit blocks from phase lock loops and quanti-zation noise shaping is given, and the considerations of revising analog layout matching techniques to improve performance for these circuit blocks is overviewed.