Synthesis tools for mixed-signal ICs: Progress on frontend and backend strategies

Digital synthesis tools such as logic synthesis and semicustom layout have dramatically changed both the frontend (specification to netlist) and backend (netlist to mask) steps of the digital IC design process. In this tutorial, we look at the last decade's worth of progress on analog circuit synthesis and layout tools. We focus on the frontend and backend of analog and mixed-signal IC design flows. The tutorial summarizes the problems for which viable solutions are emerging, and those which are still unsolved.