Mixed Signal Asic Design Methodology for Space Applications

ASIC products can provide system solutions that would not otherwise be possible with commercial offthe-shelf semiconductor devices. Reduction in system cost, volume and weight as well as increase in system performances are only few of the most obvious advantages. Sometimes, though, deciding to apply an ASIC design solution to an analogue or mixed-signal circuit can imply difficult decisions and trade-offs either in terms of technology and quality level offered on the market, or in terms of investments required to set-up a mixed-mode design environment and train enough resources. This paper presents the results of studies performed at LABEN ( a Finmeccanica Company), with the support of the Integrated Microcircuits Group of the University of Pavia acting as expert in analogue IC design, inherent to the introduction of a design methodology for the development of mixed signal (analogue and digital) ASICs for space applications aiming to broaden the digital ASIC standard design flow to the mixed-signal field. The envisaged methodologies have been experienced in the development of two mixed-signal devices; in particular one development (e.g. ABACUS ) is running in the frame of an ESPRIT project partially funded by EC.