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What Is an Analog Integrated Circuit?
This device is a primary component of most electronic devices. Moreover, it helps to handle signals that are free to run from nothing (zero) to the full power supply voltage.
Also, the circuit usually has two inputs; one input is positive, while the other is negative. In addition, each of the inputs is non-inverting and inverting, respectively.
Further, the components that make up an analog integrated circuit are:
- Capacitors
- Resistors
- Semiconductors
- Inductors
So, you can use the device to design:
- Operative amplifiers
- Oscillators
- active filters
- Linear regulators
- Software phase-locked loops
But, it’s crucial to consider semiconductor parameters like resistance, power dissipation, and power gain.
In other words, the analog integrated circuit works by changing different analog inputs like heat, sound, and light. Also, it converts them to digital signals and zeros for processing. In addition, analog integrated circuits come with a longer lifespan than electronic devices.
Why Do You Need Analog Electronics?
Even though things have evolved in the electronics industry, analog is still going strong. No doubt, most things are digital, but it’s more convenient to represent numbers numerically in a binary system. For instance, it’s easier to relate “1” and “0” as “ON” and “OFF.”
So, unlike digital IC design, analog IC design requires more focus for:
- Every circuit
- The exact features of the transistor
- The size
The reason is simple. Nowadays, most devices are digital, so analog IC designers are forced to work with process features and constraints. Why? Because the process features and constraints are more suitable for digital ICs.
Design Specification for Analog IC
Like digital IC, analog designers should start with an array of features and specifications. Afterward, they use working and active models for the various functions to scale down analog IC constraints.
Then, they come up with:
- Process features
- Type
- Device size
So, in most cases, it includes:
- Addition of capacitor and inductor technologies
- The standard figure for the integrated and sub-circuits
- Making transistor choice
Also, you can create high-level simulations and even figure out the sub-block constraints with an HDL like VHDL-AMS.
The Design Flow for Analog IC
Here are the steps required for an analog IC design:
1. Specification of Design
- Test bench development
- Topologies
- Constraints
- Specifications
2. Flow Schematic Design
- Circuit simulation and optimization
- Circuit-level schematic entry
- Block HDL specification
- Architecture HDL simulation
- System-level schematic entry
3. Somatic Flow
- Tape-out
- Post-layout simulation
- Parasitic extraction
- Layout versus schematic (LVS)
- Design rule check (DRC)
- PCell-based layout entry
Analog Integrated Circuit Design
Indeed, there’s a process you need to follow in coming up with an analog IC design. Plus, the procedure involves the following in no particular order:
- Circuit simulations
- System design
- Circuit design
- Circuit debug
- System debug
- Verification
- System simulations
- Integrated circuit layout design
- Fabrication
- Interconnect
- Component design
- Device debug
But, the practical aspect of the analog IC design involves:
The Block Level System
It’s also known as the Cell level system. Plus, this system includes the tactics required to create a block-level design for a particular integrated circuit. So, when your designs are set, link each of them to form a complete block-level system.
The Component Level Circuit
The components you’ll use here are based on the results of the block-level system.
So, when you have the appropriate components, connect them to create the component-level circuit. Then, you can use it as your analog design’s primary circuit. Plus, it also works for simulation.
Confirming Component Level Circuit
You can also use the component-level circuit for confirmation. But this happens after you have simulated the circuit design. So, with the simulation result, you can verify the analog IC’s component-level circuit.
Creation of IC
Indeed, there are several steps to follow to create analog integrated circuits. First off, you can start by using semiconductor materials to make the semiconductor wafer. Or you can get a ready-made semiconductor wafer.
Afterward, you can add different electronic components, like transistors, capacitors, resistors, etc., to the wafer. Then, you can pack the chip—which forms the package IC.
Testing and Debugging IC
At this stage, you can test the analog integrated circuit. Also, you can debug it to compare the checking and estimated results. So, if everything looks good, proceed to design the IC prototype. Then, use the prototype to characterize the evaluation board and integrated circuit.
What Is the Difference Between Analog and Digital IC?
The table below summarizes the difference between the analog and digital IC:
| Analog ICS | Digital ICs |
| The analog or linear IC works on a constantly varying signal—concerning time. | The digital or non-linear IC works on binary signals. |
| The analog IC design requirements are far-reaching compared to the digital ICs. | The digital IC design requirement is less radical compared to the analog IC. |
| Some applications of the analog IC include oscilloscopes, radars, aircraft, PLL, space, etc. | Some applications of the digital IC include calculators, clocks, microprocessors, digital watches, computers, etc. |
| You can get the commercial version of the analog IC as microwave amplifiers, voltage comparators, regulators, voltage multipliers, etc. | You can find the digital IC commercially as registers, analog to digital chips, counters, digital to analog chips, flip flops, microprocessor chips, logic gates, etc. |
| It has fewer transistors compared to the digital IC. | The digital ICs have more transistors compared to analog ICs. |
| The analog IC has outputs and inputs that can handle a continuous range of values. Plus, the result is proportional to the information. | The digital IC has two voltages (input and output) with two possible values—without intervening levels. |
Applications of the Analog Integrated Circuit
You can apply the analog integrated circuit in the following applications:
Power Management Circuit
When you take a close look at the analog IC’s design, you’ll notice that all its components need power. Also, you can use the network of conductors (power management circuit) on the on-chip components to deliver the necessary electrical power designed on-chip.
Also, the power management circuit (network of conductors) designs and analyzes the delivered power within the circuit.
Frequency Mixing
Indeed, frequency mixing uses two different signals applied to a circuit to get a new frequency. So, you can get a frequency mixer from the analog integrated circuit. You can also use the frequency mixer to change signal forms in a different range of frequencies.
Active filtering
Of course, the analog IC is adequate for active filtering. Also, it does this by using active electronic components—to boost performance. So, the filter should prevent a pricey and bulky inductor. In addition, there are varieties of active filter configurations like multiple feedback filters, Allen-key filters, etc.
Final Words
The analog integrated circuit is a device that consists of a semiconductor wafer with the interconnection of components. Interestingly, this type of IC is reliable and cost-effective, and the device is ideal for professional circuit designers, hobbyists, and students.
Have you used the analog integrated circuit? Or do you need help with getting the best one for your project? Please feel free to contact us.
