From Concept to Reality: Understanding the Cadence Analog IC Design Flow

Have you ever wondered how your smartphone can capture stunning photos, play crystal-clear music, or accurately measure your heart rate?

The answer lies in the world of Analog Integrated Circuit (IC) design. Analog circuits play a crucial role in electronics, processing continuous signals that form the backbone of our modern world. Also, analog IC design is a fascinating blend of art and science, where engineers meticulously craft electronic circuits to process continuous signals. The design process involves various things to consider, including a lot of adjustments and optimizations and a few iterative tasks.

In this blog, we will explore the stages of the analog IC design flow and highlight the Cadence tools that are used in each step.

Analog IC Design Flow

Analog IC design is an iterative process that transforms a concept into a high-performance physical chip. Here’s a breakdown of the stages involved.

Analog IC Design Flow

Design Specifications: Laying the Foundation

The first step in the analog IC design process is to define the specifications, including performance metrics, power consumption, and area constraints. A clear understanding of these requirements is essential for the next design stages.

Schematic Design and Symbol Creation: Bringing the Design to Life

The next stage is to create the schematic design and symbols with the Virtuoso Schematic Editor, which allows for easy and accurate schematic creation and editing.

Pre-layout Simulation: Validating Functionality and Performance

Pre-layout simulation is essential for validating a circuit's functionality and performance. The Cadence Spectre circuit simulator is used for simulations, while Virtuoso ADE Explorer and Assembler provide a user-friendly interface. These tools help designers identify and fix potential issues before the layout stage.

Layout Design: Converting Schematics into Reality

In this stage, the schematic is converted into a physical layout. Each transistor is carefully arranged to optimize routing and area. The Virtuoso Layout Suite, with its innovative auto place and route feature, significantly accelerates the layout design process.

Physical Verification: Ensuring Design Integrity

Physical verification is a crucial step that involves performing DRC (Design Rule Check) and LVS (Layout vs. Schematic) checks using the Pegasus Verification System. The new iPegasus Verification System for Virtuoso Studio enables the designers to run physical verification checks seamlessly within the Virtuoso Layout Suite.

Parasitic Extraction: Accurate Modeling for Optimal Performance

Parasitic extraction involves identifying and modeling parasitic elements from the layout to ensure optimal performance. The Cadence Quantus Extraction Solution performs this task with high accuracy, enabling designers to refine their design for better results.

Post-layout Simulations: Final Check for Functionality and Performance

Post-layout simulations are carried out on the extracted layout view, providing a final check for functionality and performance. Designers can reuse the same setup from pre-layout simulations, ensuring a smooth and efficient design flow.

Tapeout: Preparing for Fabrication

The final stage involves creating the GDSII file for fabrication. The chip is manufactured, and after quality checks, it enters the market.

By following this comprehensive Analog IC design flow, designers can leverage the power of Cadence tools to create high-performance, reliable, and efficient analog ICs. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, this flow provides a clear roadmap for success in the complex world of analog IC design.

What Next?

To deepen your understanding of the Analog IC design flow using the latest Cadence products, we invite you to register for the Cadence Analog IC Design Flow course on our Support Portal. This course offers valuable insights and hands-on experience to enhance your skills.

You can earn a Digital Badge for the trainings mentioned above.

Do You Have Access to the Cadence Support Portal?

If not, follow the steps below to create your account:

• On the Cadence Support portal, select Register Now and provide the requested information on the Registration page.
• You will need an email address and host ID to sign up.
• If you need help with registration, contact support@cadence.com.

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If you have questions about courses, schedules, online, public, or live onsite training, reach out to us at Cadence Training.

Related Resources:

Online Courses	Cadence Analog IC Design Flow Virtuoso Schematic Editor Virtuoso ADE Explorer and Assembler Series Spectre Simulator Fundamentals S1: Spectre Basics Virtuoso Layout Pro: T4 Advanced Comments Virtuoso Layout Pro: T5 Interactive Routing Pegasus Verification System Quantus Transistor-Level T2: Parasitic Extraction
Product Manuals	Virtuoso Schematic Editor User Guide Virtuoso ADE Explorer User Guide Virtuoso Layout Suite EXL Reference Cadence Pegasus User Guide iPegasus User Guide Quantus Extraction User Manual
Training Bytes	Virtuoso Studio Schematic Editor (Video Channel) Virtuoso Studio ADE Explorer (Video Channel) Virtuoso Studio ADE Assembler (Video Channel) Cadence Spectre (Video Channel) Auto Place and Route feature(for Advanced Node designs) in Virtuoso Studio Layout Suite iPegasus feature in Virtuoso Studio Knowing LVS and debugging it using Pegasus Verification System Parasitic Extraction using Quantus Extraction Solution

About Knowledge Booster Training Bytes

Knowledge Booster Training Bytes is an online journal that relays information about Cadence Training videos, online courses, and upcoming webinars in the Learning section of the Cadence Learning and Support portal. This blog category brings you direct links to these videos, courses, and other related material on a regular basis. Subscribe to receive email notifications about our latest Custom IC Design blog posts.

Vishnu Teja Salagrama,

On behalf of the Cadence Training Team