Hardware Podcasts

The State of Analog Design in 2023

EE Times Current · 20 Jan 2023 · 19m

What this episode covers

Brett Brune, editor-in-chief of EE Times, and Majeed Ahmad, editor-in-chief of Planet Analog, discuss the 'Analog Everywhere' special report, analyzing the state of analog design in 2023. They explore the tension between integrating analog blocks into SoCs and the need for standalone devices in IoT and automotive sectors, while highlighting the evolution of EDA tools and the challenges of automating analog design. The conversation covers specific industry players like Analog Devices, Synopsys, and TSMC, and technologies such as FinFET and Gate-All-Around (GAA) processes.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
EE Times, Planet Analog, Analog Devices, Synopsys, TSMC, Intel Foundry Services, Analog Bits, Microchip
Also
Electroda

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Circuit · 42m

    Episode 67: A Conversation with Aart de Geus on EDA and the Future of Silicon Design

    Aart de Geus, co-founder and executive chair of Synopsys, discusses the evolution of electronic design automation (EDA) and the future of silicon design. He explains how the industry shifted from analog to digital design, enabling the automation that drove Moore's Law, and details the transition to the Angstrom era with technologies like FinFETs and backside power delivery. De Geus also highlights the rise of systemic complexity through chiplets and vertical stacking, and the critical role of AI in optimizing these complex multi-die architectures.

    EDA & CAD toolsAI & machine learning
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 04m

    Leading Edge Analog with Joren Vaes

    Joren Vaes, a high-speed design engineer at SOFICS, explains the complexities of designing analog IP blocks for leading-edge semiconductor nodes like TSMC's 2 nm process. He details how designers navigate massive Process Design Kits (PDKs) with thousands of rules, utilizing advanced simulation tools from Cadence, Synopsys, and Siemens to manage parasitics across 18+ metal layers. The conversation covers the transition from FinFET to nanosheet architectures and the use of on-chip passive components, such as transformers, to achieve impedance matching at frequencies up to 50 GHz. Vaes also describes the rigorous verification workflow, including Design Rule Checks (DRC), Layout Versus Schematic (LVS), and parasitic extraction, which are critical before tape-out to millions of dollars in mask costs.

    PCB design & layoutChips, FPGAs & semiconductors
    9 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 26m

    An Interview with Brett Fox and Dr Jeroen Fonderie - Device Doubling Decretum

    Brett Fox, CEO, and Dr. Jeroen Fonderie, VP of Engineering, of Touchstone Semiconductor discuss the challenges and realities of launching a fabless analog IC startup in the post-2008 economic climate. They detail their fundraising journey, the critical role of foundry partners like TSMC, and the technical nuances of designing low-power analog circuits using standard process design kits. The conversation also covers their product strategy, distribution via DigiKey, and the broader industry trends affecting semiconductor entrepreneurship.

    Starting a product companyManufacturing partners & offshoring
    9 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 10m

    An Interview with Matt Duff

    Matt Duff, an engineer at Analog Devices, discusses the company's strategic shift from pure performance optimization to user-centric design tools, such as the Filter Wizard and ADC Driver. He explains how these web-based applications simplify complex analog calculations for engineers, allowing them to design filters and drive high-end ADCs without deep manual math. Duff also covers the integration of Linear Technology assets, including LTSpice, and the industry trend toward integrated solutions that reduce component count and development time.

    Analog & power electronicsEDA & CAD tools
    8 chapters

  • OnTrack · 37m

    Exploring Cross-Disciplinary Integration in CAE and EDA

    Keith Hanna, an independent consultant with extensive experience at Mentor Graphics, Siemens, and Ansys, discusses the convergence of CAE and EDA industries driven by the 'electrification of everything.' He analyzes recent high-profile M&A activity, such as Siemens acquiring Mentor Graphics and Synopsys acquiring Ansys, noting that these deals aim to integrate mechanical and electronic design workflows. Hanna argues that while AI and cloud computing offer efficiency gains, the primary challenge remains creating a seamless 'digital thread' across disparate engineering disciplines and legacy software architectures.

    Chips, FPGAs & semiconductorsEDA & CAD tools
    12 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by EE Times Current. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.