Synopsys SLM Process, Voltage & Temperature Monitor IP

Feature

Analog Mixed Signal (AMS) Design

Digitally Assisted Analog (DAA) Design

Primary Design Focus

Relies heavily on traditional, manual analog design techniques to meet performance specifications

Leverages the strengths of advanced digital processing to overcome inherent limitations and manufacturing variability in analog circuits

Role of Digital Circuitry

Digital blocks provide interface logic/control, but the analog blocks are designed to fulfill the core functionality as independently as possible.

Digital circuitry is an integrated part of the analog block's operation, monitoring performance and actively applying real-time corrections (e.g., calibration, tuning, compensation) to the analog part.

Process Node Scaling

Analog circuits are sensitive to process variations and supply voltage reductions in advanced nodes, often requiring extensive redesigns

DAA designs scale better with advanced process nodes because of standard cell library provisioning and automated design flows

Accuracy and P-V-T compensation

AMS uses bandgap reference (PTAT/CTAT) that inherently compensates for PVT variation.

DAA uses digital processing for compensation and linearization.

Power and Area

High-performance traditional analog blocks can consume significant power and area.

Can achieve significant benefits in terms of power and area by using simpler analog circuits followed by digital processing

Analog-to-Digital relationship

Analog and digital circuits are mostly independent but must be physically separated to avoid interference (e.g., crosstalk).

Analog circuit performance is intentionally designed to be less precise, with the digital side performing the calibration, linearization, or complex calculations