TOWARDS A THEORY OF AUTOMATED CIRCUIT DESIGN.
Abstract
A theoretical method is developed to accomplish automated design (as opposed to automated analysis) of general electrical circuits. This method demonstrates that a properly formulated circuit design problem can be transformed into a standard mathematical programming problem. Practical application of this method enables the circuit designer to give the computer a circuit topology, constraints and tolerances on the devices, and other constraints derived from the system into which the circuit must work. If a feasible solution to the posed problem exists, the computer will select values of components which optimize the circuit according to given criteria. A designer with this facility can direct full attention to selection of a topology and derivation of meaningful constraints on the circuit. The theory allows either fixed or variable nominal values of components. Variable values are those selected by the computer. Fixed values are those imposed by the designer (e.g., the parameters of a particular transistor type). The theory also allows for fixed or variable tolerances, and constraints among tolerances as occur in integrated circuit design. This theory is developed from a simple definition of 'worst case design', a definition considered most meaningful for high-reliability design. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0660285
Entities
People
- William C. Cave
Organizations
- United States Army Communications-Electronics Command