The synergy of BiCMOS in analog cell design

BiCMOS will quickly become the norm for large-scale mixed-signal integrated circuit design, as well as for many analog-only and digital-only applications. The BiCMOS processes developed for high-density logic use are invariably quite poor in analog applications. There is disagreement about the value of MOS devices as adjuncts to bipolar transistors in analog circuits or vice versa. One of the issues considered is whether there is real synergy to be enjoyed in designing analog circuits with both bipolar and MOS available. The history of BiMOS processes at Analog Devices Inc. is outlined, along with applications of this technology