Conference: SRC-NSF Mixed-Signal Workshop

0227967Cavin从历史上看，混合信号技术一直退居高性能数字技术之后。ITRS过去一直专注于高速数字，这推动了技术规模的扩大，很少考虑混合信号的研究需求。混合信号SoC目前正在快速开发，但大多数都是在仅针对高性能数字优化的技术上开发的。例如，无线局域网或蜂窝电话依赖于针对性能和制造成本进行优化的高效无线电接收器。采用主流体CMOS工艺时，由于体CMOS存在噪声和线性度问题，这些无线电接收机无法优化为直接变频接收机。因此，无线电部分必须通过添加外部滤波和更多IF部分形式的元件来变得更加复杂。一些公司已经学会了用SiGe工艺制造直接转换接收器，但成本较高。因此，一个关键问题是，我们如何影响ITRS推动的研究，这些研究不仅提供了最适合高性能数字信号的技术，而且还提供了最适合混合信号的技术。本次研讨会将汇集来自工业界和学术界的众多专家，讨论和制定混合信号的研究需求，特别是与技术（晶圆制造工艺，封装，测试，CAD等）相关的需求。这些需求将用于指导行业（SRC）和NSF的研究资助工作。

0227967CavinHistorically, mixed-signal technologies have had a back seat to high-performance digital technologies. The ITRS has in the past focused on high-speed digital, which drove technology scaling with little thought to the research needs for mixed-signal. Mixed-signal SoCs are being developed now at a rapid pace but with most being developed on technologies optimized for only high performance digital. As an example, a wirelessLAN or cell phone depends on an efficient radio receiver optimized for performance and cost to manufacture. With a mainstream bulk CMOS process, these radio receivers cannot be optimized as direct conversion receivers due to the noise and linearity issues with bulk CMOS. As a result, the radio section must be made much more complex by adding external filtering and many more components in the form of an IF section. A few companies have learned to make direct conversion receivers in SiGe process, however cost is higher. So one key question is, how can we influence research driven by the ITRS that will not only provide technologies that are optimum for high performance digital, but also for mixed signal? This workshop will bring together a great many experts from both industry and academia to discuss and formulate research needs for mixed-signal especially as relates to technologies (wafer fab processes, packaging, test, CAD, etc.). These needs will serve to guide the research funding efforts for both industry(SRC) and NSF.