CAD Algorithms for Automated Nonlinear Macromodelling

该提案的研究部分是设计自动宏观建模程序，从详细的低级别模型中提取较高级别的模型，用于片上系统的自动化设计。这一过程的一个重要方面，特别是对于模拟、混合信号和射频模块，是非线性的结合。这对于失真和互调特性是必不可少的。这项工作主要涉及对弱电路非线性的建模。预计预测的保真度将比目前(基本上是基于线性理论的)程序显著提高。所提出的工作是基于Volterra非线性级数展开，它捕获了包括功率放大器、混频器、倍频器和开关电容滤波器在内的一大类器件的基本非线性。这项工作很可能扩展到压扩滤波器和模数转换器。

The research component of the proposal is to devise automatic macromodeling procedures that extract higher-level models from detailed lower-level ones for automated design of Systems-on-Chip. An important aspect of this process, particularly for analog, mixed-signal and RF modules, is the incorporation of nonlinearities. This is essential for distortion and intermodulation characteristics. This work is concerned chiefly with modeling weak circuit nonlinearities. A significane increase in the predicted fidelity over current (essentially linear theory-based) procedures is expected. The proposed work is based on Volterra non-linear series expansion that captures essential non-linearities of a broad class of devices which include power amplifiers, mixers, frequency doublers, and switched-capacitor filters. The work is likely to be expandable to companding filters and Analog-to-Digital converters.