Yield constrained automated design algorithm for power optimized pipeline ADC

Pipeline Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) design processes include several redesign steps to achieve the optimum solution. Hence, designers prefer to use automated algorithms for this purpose. In this paper, an automated algorithm for CAD tool is presented considering the trade-off between yield and power consumption for pipeline ADCs. This automated algorithm benefits from multiple degrees of freedom including the system level down to transistor level parameters, which helps CAD tools to find the optimized solution. It allows designers to choose an optimum scenario considering the trade-off between yield and power consumption. To evaluate the capabilities of this algorithm, a 10-bit pipeline ADC is designed and analyzed. This ADC has 10-bit resolution and 6.3 mW power, 91% yield, 55.3 dB SNDR and 58.8 dB SFDR, which are all in good agreement with the algorithm results. In comparison with similar designs it offers a competitive Figure of Merit (FOM), which proves the capability of this algorithm in finding the optimum solution.