Analog and mixed signal (AMS) electronics becomes increasingly complex and needs to be digitally enhanced by its own control circuitry. The RTL synthesis flow routinely used for digital logic is, however, optimized for synchronous data processing and produces inefficient control for AMS. In this paper, we demonstrate the evident benefits of asynchronous circuits in the context of AMS systems, and propose an asynchronous design for analog electronics (A4A) flow for their specification, synthesis, and formal verification. A library of specialized analog-to-asynchronous (A2A) components is developed for interfacing analog and asynchronous worlds. A4A flow is automated in the Workcraft framework and evaluated using a multiphase buck converter case study, where A2A components are employed to sanitize analog sensor readings. Timing analysis of asynchronous buck control shows improved response time: 4× reaction to high-load and 7× to under-voltage condition, compared with a 333 MHz clocked controller (to achieve a similar response time, a clocked controller would require ~3 GHz frequency). The simulation results of a 4-phase asynchronous buck demonstrate improved voltage ripple and peak current -16% and 12% reduction, respectively. These benefits lead to the higher efficiency of power conversion, and can be traded off for the cost of analog components, e.g., coils. Moreover, the use of the proposed design flow and tools helps to improve design productivity and overall robustness of AMS circuits.

Analog/mixed-signal (AMS) systems are rapidly expanding in all domains of information and communication technology. They are a critical part of the support for large-scale high-performance digital systems, provide important functionalities in medium-scale embedded and mobile systems, and act as a core organ of autonomous electronics such as sensor nodes. Analog and digital parts are closely intermixed, hence demanding AMS design methods and tools to be more holistic. In particular, the emergence of "little digital" electronics inside or near analog circuitry calls for the increasing use of asynchronous logic. To cope with the growing complexity of AMS designs, formal methods are required to complement traditional simulation approaches. This paper presents an overview of the state-of-the-art in AMS formal verification and asynchronous design that enables the development of analog/asynchronous co-design methods. One such co-design methodology is exemplified by the LEMA-Workcraft workflow currently under development by the authors.

Analog and mixed signal (AMS) electronics becomes increasingly complex and needs to be digitally enhanced by its own control circuitry. The RTL synthesis flow routinely used for digital logic is however optimized for synchronous data processing and produces inefficient control for AMS. In this paper we demonstrate the evident benefits of asynchronous circuits in the context of AMS systems, and propose an asynchronous design for analog electronics (A4A) flow for their specification, synthesis, and formal verification. A library of specialized analog-to-asynchronous (A2A) components is developed for interfacing analog signals to asynchronous control. A4A flow is automated in the Workcraft framework and evaluated using a multiphase buck converter case study. The simulation results show improved response time, voltage ripple, and peak current of the buck when controlled asynchronously. These benefits lead to the higher efficiency of power conversion, and can be traded off for the cost of analog components. A4A flow, A2A interfaces, and Workcraft tools are used for development of power converters at Dialog Semiconductor.