A video driver system designed using a top-down, constraint-driven methodology

To accelerate the design cycle for analog and mixed-signal systems, we have proposed a top-down, constraint-driven design methodology. The key idea of the proposed methodology is hierarchically propagating constraints from performance specifications to layout. Consequently, it is essential to provide the necessary tools and techniques enabling the efficient constraint propagation. To illustrate the applicability of the proposed methodology to the design of larger systems, we present in this paper the complete design flow for a video driver system. Critical advantages of the methodology illustrated with this design example include avoiding costly low level re-designs and getting working silicon parts from the first run. Following our approach, a jitter constraint is imposed at the system level and then is propagated hierarchically to the circuit blocks and layout, using behavioral modeling and simulation. Experimental results are presented from working fabricated parts.