Teaching an old dog new tricks: Views on the future of mixed-signal IC design

Abstract

In the past, CMOS feature size scaling has played a big role in overcoming the perceived barriers, routinely enabling cheaper, faster and lower power devices with every new technology node. However, as the benefits of conventional feature size scaling are diminishing, what can we do to meet the needs of next-generation systems? The precise answer to this question is unclear, but most researchers will agree that some of the progress will have to come from innovative re-architecting and looking for better ways to employ the amazing nano-CMOS fabric that we already have. In this talk, I will review opportunities for system-driven architectural innovation and new application areas in mixed-signal IC design. We will discuss a number of examples related to the idea of “fooling Nyquist” and extracting desired analog-domain information using low-rate and low-bandwidth observations. In addition, we will investigate the potential for mixed-signal co-processors in machine learning algorithms, as well as trends in sensor systems. Along with these examples, we will discuss potential challenges and future needs in mixed-signal testing.