A Perspective on Analog and Mixed-Signal IC Design Amid Semiconductor Paradigm Shifts

This position paper extends the author’s keynote address from the 2024 IEEE European Solid-State Electronics Research Conference, offering a perspective on effective strategies for the advancement of analog and mixed-signal (AMS) integrated circuit (IC) design. It is argued that traditional methodologies, characterized by their focus on transistor-level optimization within individual sub-blocks, are insufficient for satisfying the stringent performance and power consumption demands of contemporary information and communication technologies (ICT), especially in the context of expanding AI applications. Consequently, a paradigm shift is necessary, emphasizing “full-stack” solutions that prioritize comprehensive system-level analysis and aim to minimize physical resources and reduce complexity by innovating across the established boundaries of design abstraction levels. Building on prior work, this manuscript offers a more thorough justification for the proposed full-stack analog design methodology, supported by broader evidence and more comprehensive discussion. It also identifies key considerations regarding EDA and workforce development as topics for future work.