AgO to showcase AnXplorer analog and RF circuit optimization tool

SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, FRANCE: AgO Inc., a technology leader in analog and RF circuit optimization, will showcase the AnXplorer – a new tool for optimizing analog and RF circuits – at the SAME 2010 Exhibition.

AnXplorer with an unsized SPICE netlist, variables for device dimensions and a set of design objectives and constraints, then optimizes device sizes by rigorously exploring the design space. By centering the design across all specified, process, temperature and voltage corners, AnXplorer achieves a robust design thereby enhancing the yield and improving the probability of first time silicon success.

AnXplorer can fit into commonly used design toolsets as it works with industry standard SPICE netlists and simulators. A designer can create an unsized circuit, design variables and objectives. AnXplorer will then generate an optimized, centered circuit that meets or exceeds the design objectives across all corners specified by the user. It uses a new multi-algorithmic optimization strategy aided by an expert system.

Hillol Sarkar, CEO of AgO Inc said: “Europe has strong wireless communication and automotive semiconductor sectors requiring the most advanced tools for analog and RF circuit design. Analog circuits are responsible for 50 percent of all IC design respins; by automating the analog circuit optimization, AnXplorer can significantly improve the likelihood of first time silicon success.”

AnXplorer's innovation lies in its core optimisation technology. Many previous optimisation tools have relied on gradient-based or convex optimisation approaches, which are not suitable for arbitrary functions with multiple local minima.

AnXplorer's multi-algorithm strategy rigorously searches the design space, and can find a global optimum in the presence of local optima. Centering over all process, temperature and supply voltage corners improves yield.

Users can control the way optimization takes place by defining a hierarchy of design objectives. Unlike weighted-based handling of multiple objectives, the tool attempts to meet high priority objectives before optimizing lower priority ones.

AnXplorer’s design exploration database records all points during the optimization process. This enables designers to undertake “what-if” analysis or to trade off conflicting objectives if all objectives cannot realistically be met.