Revolutionary Mixed-Signal Electronics
Abstract
(U) Since the earliest days of electronic circuits, there has been a synergistic relationship between the electronic device technology of the day and the circuit design ideas that combined them into systems of steadily increasing complexity and capability. While commercial industry is strongly driving the scaling and performance increase of CMOS circuitry, an undesirable side-effect of the “Moore’s Law” scaling is the collapsing of the dynamic range (signal swing range) of analog circuits which are increasingly forced to coexist with digital circuits (on so-called “mixed-signal” integrated circuits). DoD requirements for electronics pull in exactly the opposite direction, requiring increased dynamic range, increased power density, and increased linearity, among other features. In order to harness commercial technologies and augment them to meet DoD needs, a combined approach will be taken, coupling evolving semiconductor device capabilities with innovative new circuit topologies. For example, new Gallium Nitride and vacuum devices will be harnessed to push to the limits of speed (terahertz), dynamic range, and power densities for applications such as extending the reach of radars and jam-proofing communications systems. Design techniques for optimally combining heterogeneous device technologies such as these with mainstream silicon circuits will allow the development of circuits with heretofore impossible performance capabilities. Finally, novel silicon-only design approaches will harness, at the lowest possible cost, secure commercial CMOS capabilities to trade abundant transistor speed for extended dynamic range, linearity and power efficiencies. Overall, this program seeks to develop entirely new designs and design methodologies to push the envelope of mixed signal performance across the entire spectrum of advanced device types available for DoD applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 2829a6c7e401f6c348ed1b69d441e946
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- Root: ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY