RF mixed signal design and layout synthesis with object-oriented C++ for nanometre SOI CMOS

Abstract

In this thesis, a new top-down methodology for radio frequency (RF) mixedsignal design is presented. This methodology is based on a new IBM electronic design automation (EDA) tool for layout synthesis. A general description of this EDA tool, as well as its capabilities and features in a RF mixed-signal design flow, is presented. Then the methodology is demonstrated by the design of a ring oscillator circuit in a 90nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) IBM CMOS process for technology benchmarking. The ring os cillator is composed of 11 CMOS inverters and the design is optimized with the EDA synthesis tool for maximum oscillation frequency. Figures of merit such as unity current gain frequency and unity power gain frequency are developed for the inverter to provide high-frequency performance insight. Inverter propagation delay in a ring is formulated to show that, for this CMOS process, an optimum device finger width of 1.4pm exists for minimizing delay in the presence of wiring parasitics.ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.