Transistor‐level optimization methodology for the complete design of switched‐capacitor filter circuits

This paper presents an automatic procedure for the design and optimization of switched‐capacitor (SC) filters, including the automatic sizing of transistors in the amplifiers and switches. The optimization procedure is based on genetic algorithms (GAs) where the circuit's fitness is first computed using equations describing the filter's transfer function and then using transient simulations. These equations are obtained using a fast numerical methodology that takes into consideration the electrical behavior of all components in the circuit. The poles and zeros of the SC filter's transfer function are computed using a system of differential equations, obtained from the inspection of the circuit. This system describes the filter's behavior for all switch combinations, including the non‐ideal effects of the transistors in the switches and amplifiers. Due to the low computational effort and accuracy of this methodology, it is possible to use a large population in the GA. After finding a solution through equations, the more computationally intensive SPICE transient simulations are used to fine‐tune the solution, with a much smaller population in the GA. Taking advantage of the equations' low computational load and accuracy, process, voltage, temperature (PVT) corners and mismatch errors optimizations are also performed, allowing the chromosomes fitness to be calculated taking into consideration multiple cases, thus resulting in a low sensitivity design.     

Why‐ and how‐ to integrate Verilog‐A compact models in SPICE simulators

This article presents a fast and accurate way to integrate and validate Verilog‐A compact models in SPICE‐like simulators. Modifications in the models' Verilog‐A source code may be required prior to their conversion into low‐level C language by a code generator. The most common of these modifications is discussed. The generated C code is then directly compiled in the target simulator resulting in an equivalent SPICE model. The comparison between Verilog‐A and SPICE models in the same simulation environment, for simple and complex circuits, validates the procedure. Performance tests for demanding designs are carried out for both models. Results highlight the higher simulation speed and lower memory consumption of SPICE models. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Circuit model for a symmetrical condensed TLM node

An equivalent circuit for a symmetrical condensed TLM node is presented. The basic circuit has twelve ports and consists of 24 1:1 ideal transformers. Three additional conductances model the conductivity of the medium. The circuit is extended with additional ideal transformers giving six ports for short-circuit and open-circuit stubs which model the permittivity and permeability of the inhomogeneous medium. The scattering matrix of the 18-port network is determined symbolically by solving a set of linear circuit equations. The matrix agrees with previously published results for a symmetrical condensed TLM node, obtained from Maxwell's equations.     

Circuit modeling for ultra‐wideband Tx‐Rx antenna systems based on frequency domain S‐parameters

This paper presents a circuit modeling procedure for Ultra‐wideband (UWB) Tx‐Rx antenna systems based on frequency domain S‐parameters. The modeling used an existing two‐port network's model consisting of four SPICE analog behavioral modules. The accuracy of the model has been validated by comparing its transient response with the measurement result using an oscillograph. This model can be used for the co‐design of the UWB Tx‐Rx antenna system with transmitters and receivers in circuit simulators. In the study, Tx‐Rx antenna systems using planar bow‐tie antenna and horn antenna with ultra‐wide bandwidths are used as examples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MOS‐integrable circuitry for multi‐scroll chaotic grid realization: A SPICE‐assisted proof

A MOS‐integrable circuit realization of the class of Multi‐Scroll Grid attractor using an implementation of nonlinear transconductor is presented. The design can be seen as the MOS‐integrable circuit implementation of modified jerk equations presented in the literature (Int. J. Bifurcat. Chaos 2002; 12 (1):23–41). The proposed design of Multi‐Scroll Grid attractor is adequately supported by SPICE simulation results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel magneto‐impedance sensor model based on the zeros of Bessel functions

Nowadays, the design of magneto‐impedance (MI) sensors requires the development of lumped circuit models that can be simulated through equivalent impedance circuits relied on Bessel functions. A new impedance model based on Senani's equivalent using the zeros of Bessel functions is developed in this paper. The model allows to describe the impedance as a transfer function that can be easily synthesized by means of current conveyor circuits and passive elements. The mathematical representation was verified under simulation of transfer functions involving different number of poles and zeros. Moreover, the model has been verified using SPICE simulations and measurement results from a fabricated prototype demonstrating its scope and validity. Finally, a study of finite tracking errors of CCIIs used in the implementation of magneto‐impedance sensor has been realized. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time domain global modelling of EM propagation in semiconductor using irregular grids

A two‐dimensional finite volume time domain (FVTD) method using a triangular grid is applied to the analysis of electromagnetic wave propagation in a semiconductor. Maxwell's equations form the basis of all electromagnetic phenomena in semiconductors and the drift‐diffusion model is employed to simulate charge transport phenomena in the semiconductor. The FVTD technique is employed to solve Maxwell's equations on an irregular grid and the finite box method is implemented on the same grid to solve the drift‐diffusion model for carrier concentration. The locations of unknowns have been chosen to allow linking coupled Maxwell's equations and transport equations in a seamless way. To achieve suitable accuracy and computational efficiency, using irregular grid topology allows a finer mesh in doped region and at junction, and a coarser mesh in substrate and insulting regions. The proposed scheme has been implemented and verified by characterizing electromagnetic wave propagation at microwave frequency in a semiconductor slab with arbitrary doping profile. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of numerical time‐integrations of Maxwell's equations using the staggered grid spatial discretization

The Yee‐method is a simple and elegant way of solving the time‐dependent Maxwell's equations. On the other hand, this method has some inherent drawbacks too. The main one is that its stability requires a very strict upper bound for the possible time‐steps. This is why, during the last decade, the main goal was to construct such methods that are unconditionally stable. This means that the time‐step can be chosen based only on accuracy instead of stability considerations. In this paper we give a uniform treatment of methods that use the same spatial staggered grid approximation as the classical Yee‐method. Three other numerical methods are discussed: the Namiki–Zheng–Chen–Zhang alternating direction implicit method (NZCZ), the Kole–Figge‐de Raedt method (KFR) and a Krylov‐space method. All methods are discussed with non‐homogeneous material parameters. We show how the existing finite difference numerical methods are based on the approximation of a matrix exponential. With this formulation we prove the unconditional stability of the NZCZ method without any computer algebraic tool. Moreover, we accelerate the Krylov‐space method with a skew‐symmetric formulation of the semi‐discretized equations. Our main goal is to compare the methods from the point of view of the computational speed. This question is investigated in ID numerical tests. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of a self‐regulated,self‐excited,brushless three‐phase synchronous generator,which includes the effect of core losses

This paper presents a novel analysis of a self‐regulated, self‐excited, brushless three‐phase synchronous generator, which includes the effect of core losses. The core losses are modeled by equivalent core loss resistances connected to additional windings on the generator's magnetic coupling model. A magnetic circuit is drawn from the magnetic coupling model, and an electrical equivalent circuit of the generator is derived by utilizing a duality between the magnetic and electric circuits. Using this equivalent circuit, the generator's steady‐state performance is theoretically predicted, and the results are verified through experiment. In addition, the power losses during power generation are analyzed quantitatively. The proposed analysis takes into account the nonlinearity of the exciting impedances due to magnetic saturation. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 131(2): 51–60, 2000     

A phenomenological spice model for magneto‐impedance sensors

In this paper a lumped circuit model of magneto‐impedance (MI) sensors that can be easily implemented in Spice‐like simulators is proposed. The model is based on the equivalent circuit of a Padé's approximation derived from the impedance relied on Bessel functions. Thus, the model can simulate the transient and frequency responses from DC to several megahertz for a fix external magnetic field. Besides, the model can predict the impedance changes of the sensors as a nonlinear function of an external magnetic field via behavioral sources. This allows simulating MI sensors using magnetic feedback for controlling their response to improve linearity and dynamic range. The model has been verified using Spice simulations together with measurement results from a discrete prototype for generating the pulse voltage source, a simple modulation‐type configuration, and a feedback structure. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical analysis of electrical logging‐while‐drilling tool using propagator matrix method

In this paper, a propagator matrix method applied to logging‐while‐drilling tools is introduced and extended to deal with the anisotropic and radially inhomogeneous earth formations. This method expands the Maxwell's equations in the transverse direction, constructs the relationship between propagator matrix and reflection matrix, and obtains the solution by using the reflection matrix. We systematically derived the formulas of propagator matrix method in isotropic media, uniaxially anisotropic media, fully anisotropic media, and radially inhomogeneous media respectively. In order to obtain the propagator matrix in complex media, we used the fourth‐order Runge–Kutta scheme. Numerical experiments show that, compared with traditional methods, the propagator matrix method has wide range of applications while maintaining low computational costs and high accuracy. All algorithms presented in the paper have been parallelized and implemented on a high‐performance computing platform. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CMOS weak‐inversion log‐domain glycolytic oscillator: a cytomimetic circuit example

This paper presents a 3 V, 1.21μW subthreshold log‐domain circuit which mimics the oscillations observed during the biochemical process of glycolysis due to the phosphofructokinase enzyme. The proposed electronic circuit is able to simulate the dynamics of the glycolytic oscillator and represent the time‐dependent concentration changes of the reactants and the products of the chemical process based on nonlinear differential equations which describe the biological system. By modifying specific circuit parameters, which correspond to certain chemical parameters, good agreement between the biochemical and electrical model results has been reached. The paper details the similarities between the equations that describe the biochemical process and the equations derived from the circuit analysis of a transistor and a source‐connected linear capacitor, a topology also known as the Bernoulli Cell. With the use of the Bernoulli Cell formalism, the chemical equations which describe the biochemical system have been transformed into their electrical equivalents. The analog circuit, which implements the whole process, has been synthesised, and simulation results including Monte Carlo analysis are provided, in order to verify the robustness of the proposed circuit and to compare its dynamics with prototype biological behaviour. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient implementation issues of finite difference time-domain codes for Maxwell's equations

The computer implementation of time-domain finite difference methods for the solution of Maxwell's equations is considered. As the basis of this analysis, Maxwell's equations are expressed as a system of hyperbolic conservation laws. It is shown that, in this form, all the well-known differencing schemes can be easily expressed, thus increasing the applicability of the implementation issues to be discussed. Practical issues, such as computational efficiency and memory requirements, are discussed for the implementation of the finite difference schemes. Advanced programming techniques in the C language are used to implement the finite difference schemes discussed. The example of the penetration of electromagnetic energy through a shield with a thick gap is used to check the performance of the methods. It is shown that, for cases where the disturbance remains localized in the computational mesh, these techniques result in memory and CPU time savings.     

A vectorized multiscale compressed decomposition‐based solver for partial element equivalent circuit method

The high level of integration has made the analysis and design of integrated circuits and packages increasingly challenging. Hence, there exists an urgent need to reduce the computational complexity of existing numerical methods. The integral equation‐based method known as the partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) method naturally generates an equivalent circuit that can be analyzed in both the time and frequency domains. The enforcement of Kirchhoff laws to the equivalent circuit may easily result into a very large set of equations whose solution can be extremely time‐consuming. In this paper, we propose a vectorized version, over the frequency sweep, of the adaptive cross approximation algorithm. Furthermore, the multiscale block decomposition is applied to the PEEC method, powered by a vectorization strategy and an efficient management of the random access memory. It is found that the proposed use of vectorization and compression techniques in the framework of the multiscale block decomposition results in a significant computational speedup of the frequency‐domain analysis of PEEC models. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method are demonstrated through its application to two pertinent problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Double‐Switch Series‐Resonant Cell‐Voltage Equalizer Using a Voltage Multiplier for Series‐Connected Energy Storage Cells

Series connections of energy storage cells, such as lithium‐ion cells and electric double‐layer capacitors (EDLCs), require cell‐voltage equalizers to ensure years of operation. Conventional equalizers require multiple switches, magnetic components, and/or secondary windings of a multiwinding transformer in proportion to the number of series connections, which usually makes them complex, expensive, bulky, and less extendable with increasing series connections. A double‐switch series‐resonant equalizer using a voltage multiplier is proposed in this paper. The double‐switch operation without a multiwinding transformer achieves simplified circuitry and good modularity at reduced size and cost, compared to conventional equalizers. Operational analyses were separately performed for the following two functional parts of the proposed equalizer: a series‐resonant inverter and a voltage multiplier. The mathematical analyses derived a dc‐equivalent circuit of the proposed equalizer, with which simulation analyses of even an hour's duration can be completed in an instant. Simulation analyses were separately performed for both the original and equivalent circuits. The simulation results of the derived circuit correlated well with those of the original circuit, thus verifying the derived dc‐equivalent circuit. A 5‐W prototype of the proposed equalizer was built for eight cells connected in series and an experimental equalization was performed for series‐connected EDLCs from an initially voltage‐imbalanced condition. The voltage imbalance was gradually eliminated over time, and the standard deviation in the cell voltages decreased to approximately 5 mV at the end of the experiment, thus demonstrating the equalization performance of the proposed equalizer.     

Analytical estimation of propagation delay and short‐circuit power dissipation in CMOS gates

An efficient analytical method for calculating the propagation delay and the short‐circuit power dissipation of CMOS gates is introduced in this paper. Key factors that determine the operation of a gate, such as the different modes of operation of serially connected transistors, the starting point of conduction, the parasitic behaviour of the short‐circuiting block of a gate and the behaviour of parallel transistor structures are analysed and properly modelled. The analysis is performed taking into account second‐order effects of short‐channel devices and for non‐zero transition time inputs. Analytical expressions for the output waveform, the propagation delay and the short‐circuit power dissipation are obtained by solving the differential equations that govern the operation of the gate. The calculated results are in excellent agreement with SPICE simulations. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Accelerating the transient simulation of semiconductor devices using filter‐bank transforms

Simulation of high frequency semiconductor devices, where non‐local and hot carrier transport cannot be ignored, requires solution of Poisson's equation and at least the first three moments of the Boltzmann transport equation (hydrodynamic transport model). These equations form non‐linear, coupled and time‐dependent partial differential equations. One of the most efficient solvers of such system of equations is decoupled solver. In conventional decoupled methods, the fully implicit, semi‐implicit and explicit methods are used to solve the equations. In fully or semi‐implicit schemes, the method is unconditionally stable for any Δt or for very large Δt compared to explicit scheme. Thus, these schemes are very suitable and efficient for transient simulations. But, using these techniques leads to a large system of linear equations. Here for the first time, a filter bank‐based preconditioning method is used to facilitate the iterative solution of this system. This method provides efficient preconditioners for matrices arising from discretizing of the PDEs, using finite difference techniques. Numerical results show that the condition number and iteration number are significantly reduced. The most important advantage of this preconditioner is its low computational complexity which can be reduced to O(N). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A reduction technique of large‐scale RCG interconnects in the complex frequency domain

High‐speed digital LSI chips usually consist of many sub‐circuits coupled with multi‐conductor interconnects embedded in the substrate. They sometimes cause serious problems of the fault switching operations due to the time‐delays, crosstalks, reflections, etc. In order to solve these problems, it is very important to develop a user‐friendly simulator for the analysis of LSIs coupled with interconnects. In this paper, we consider a large‐scale gate‐array circuit coupled with multi‐conductor RCG interconnects. At first, we propose a new method for calculating the dominant poles of the impedance matrix, which give the large effects to the transient response. The corresponding residues are estimated by the least squares method. Using these poles and residues, the input–output relation of each interconnect can be described by the partial fractions. After then, the interconnect is replaced by the equivalent circuit realizing the partial fractions. In this way, we can easily develop a user‐friendly simulator familiar with SPICE. We found from many examples that the good results can be obtained using only few dominant poles around the origin. Furthermore, the reduction ratio of our method is very large especially for large scale interconnects. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An overlapping Yee finite‐difference time‐domain method for material interfaces between anisotropic dielectrics and general dispersive or perfect electric conductor media

A novel stable anisotropic finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) algorithm based on the overlapping cells is developed for solving Maxwell's equations of electrodynamics in anisotropic media with interfaces between different types of materials, such as the interface between anisotropic dielectrics and dispersive medium or perfect electric conductor (PEC). The previous proposed conventional anisotropic FDTD methods suffer from the late‐time instability due to the extrapolation of the field components near the material interface. The proposed anisotropic overlapping Yee FDTD method is stable, as it relies on the overlapping cells to provide the collocated field values without any interpolation or extrapolation. Our method has been applied to simulate electromagnetic invisibility cloaking devices with both anisotropic dielectrics and PEC included in the computational domain. Numerical results and eigenvalue analysis confirm that the conventional anisotropic FDTD method is weakly unstable, whereas our method is stable. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.