DONALD: a workbench for interactive design space exploration and sizing of analog circuits

Abstract

Presents the program DONALD. DONALD constitutes a new approach to the use of numerical computation in circuit sizing. The program is able to numerically invert an analytic design model of an analog circuit in any arbitrary direction. It is therefore possible to answer with DONALD both design questions: analysis questions, as well as technology questions. To accomplish this, the program uses a new, heuristic algorithm for detection of minimal clusternodes in bipartite graphs. A graphical, mouse oriented user interface allows the user to make strategic and optimum moves through a circuit's design space.<>