Mixed Analog/Digital ASIC Design Kit with Analog Emphasis

Sunnyvale, CA April 30, 1999 -- Advanced Linear Devices, Inc., (ALD) announces the FSK11 Mixed Analog/Digital ASIC Design Development kit which consists of a hardware analog function library, 86 I.C.s and an easy to use design manual. The contents of the library are linear I.C. component cells that are fully characterized and manufacturing proven. The FSK11 kit is an enhancement package intended to support, supplement and facilitate design verification of linear ASICs or mixed analog/digital ASICs by utilizing both hardware and software simulation. Macromodel libraries with corresponding symbol libraries are available as an optional design tool in the form of models and sub-circuits for SPICE simulators. Using this design approach of utilizing pre-fabricated high complexity analog IC functions, mixed analog/digital ASICs with up to an order of magnitude more complexity (when compared to other development approaches) can be developed and verified. One very significant user benefit is being able to field test the finished product -- where the ASIC being used can be fully tested under actual operating environments prior to an ASIC even seeing silicon. The model libraries have been developed and engineered to match linear I.C. characteristics of components contained in the "Function-Specific" design kit.

The FSK11 design kit contains an Advanced Linear Devices' hardware design library -- an ASIC verification library consisting of linear functions and components. The user can add active and passive elements and 74HC or CD4000 series digital logic gates that are intended to be integrated onto a single monolithic ASIC chip. Linear functions include a wide selection of different rail-to-rail operational amplifiers, voltage comparators, timers and oscillators, analog switches and MOSFETs. The active and passive elements include resistors, capacitors, zener diodes, and NMOS, as well as PMOS transistors. All IC components are rated for 5 volt single or dual supply operation. The design kit supports VLSI integration of a system containing dozens to hundreds of complex components normally found on a printed circuit board.

The complete FSK11 kit is available for $295, and consists a box of 86 ICs and a simple to use design manual. Designs which are developed and engineered using the FSK11 can be integrated directly with all integration conversion factors built in. No further conversion is necessary. The ASIC is ready for integration and volume production as a complete mixed digital/linear system-on-a-chip. Depending on system complexity, functionality and specifications, non-recurring engineering for integration, tooling and setup charges typically start at $40,000.

Advanced Linear Devices is a manufacturer of precision, low voltage linear ICs, both standard and custom. ALD serves the industrial sensor, controls and instrumentation, medical, telecom and portable markets.

Download Data Sheet FSK11

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