A simple analog CMOS design tool using transistor dimension-independent parameters

This paper presents an approach to fully characterize a transistor in any CMOS technology using a set of dimension-independent parameters. The proposed approach creates a layer of abstraction that circumvents the SPICE transistor model complexity and replaces it with a set of normalized parameters. The proposed approach combined with the designer´s knowledge of the circuit operation facilitates solving for near optimal, if not optimal, circuit behavior. The required small and large-signal behavior is achieved, while the dc biasing at each node in the circuit is defined at the same time. A simple design tool, called ACDNP, based on the proposed concept was developed. The results predicted by ACDNP and the Spectre circuit simulator are in excellent agreement.