Bryon Moyer over at the IC Design and Verification Journal has written an article highlighting Triad Semiconductor’s configurable analog arrays. He speaks of our mixed-signal process in terms of its “analog audacity”:
Let’s just face it: analog is hard. Analog designers are a special breed: they resist designs done by computer, and for good reason. There’s a fair bit of the black magic that only a human can bring to the design. According to Cadence’s John Stabenow, users have more or less rejected analog synthesis. Even when it does well enough to do the job required and meet the specs, designers still aren’t comfortable with the aesthetics of the layout – which speaks to the subtlety that imbues analog design.
So when Triad Semiconductor perpetuates the analog array dream with the audacity to bring configurable analog arrays to market, they have to be aware that they’re following in some big footsteps that have led nowhere in particular. And presumably have taken steps to alter the path in a more profitable direction.
Read more over at the IC Design and Verification Journal: Analog Audacity – Triad Offers Configurable Analog Arrays