An IC that processes natural analog signals such as light, sound, speed, and temperature is called an analog IC. These signals processed by the analog IC are continuous and can be converted to sine wave studies. Digital ICs process discontinuous signals, all of which are pulsed square waves.
Analog ICs are classified into a linear IC that processes only analog signals and a hybrid IC that processes analog and digital signals simultaneously by technology type. Analog ICs can be divided into standard analog ICs and special application analog ICs by application. Standard analog ICs include amplifiers, voltage regulators and reference comparators (Voltage Regulator/Reference), signal interfaces (Interface), data conversion (DataConversion), comparators (Comparator) and other products. Special application analog ICs are mainly used in four fields, namely, communication, automotive, computer peripherals and consumer electronics.
a, the life cycle can be as long as 10 years.
Digital IC emphasizes the speed of operation and cost ratio. The goal of digital IC design is to achieve the target computing speed at the lowest possible cost. Designers must continually use more efficient algorithms to process digital signals, or use new processes to increase integration and reduce costs. Therefore, the life cycle of digital ICs is very short, about 1 year to 2 years.
Analog ICs emphasize high signal-to-noise ratio, low distortion, low power consumption, high reliability, and stability. Once the product reaches the design goal, it has long-lasting vitality, and there are not a few analog IC products with a life cycle of more than 10 years. For example, the audio operational amplifier NE5532, which was launched in the late 1970s until now, is one of the most commonly used audio amplification ICs. Almost 50% of multimedia speakers use the NE5532 with a life cycle of more than 25 years. Because of the long life cycle, the price of analog ICs is usually low.
b, the process is special and less CMOS process
Digital ICs are mostly CMOS, while analog ICs are rarely used in CMOS. Because analog ICs typically output high voltages or large currents to drive other components, the CMOS process has poor drive capability. In addition, the most critical of analog ICs is low distortion and high signal-to-noise ratio, both of which are relatively easy to achieve at high voltages. The CMOS process is mainly used in low-voltage environments below 5V, and continues to develop toward low voltage.
Therefore, the analog IC used the Bipolar process early, but the Bipolar process consumes a lot of power, so the BiCMOS process appears, combining the advantages of both the Bipolar process and the CMOS process. There is also a CD process that combines CMOS and DMOS processes. The BCD process combines the advantages of Bipolar, CMOS, and DMOS processes. There are also SiGe and GaAS processes in the high frequency field. These special processes require the cooperation of wafer foundries, but also require designers to be familiar with, and digital IC designers basically do not have to consider process issues.
c, close relationship with components
The analog IC needs to have good current amplification characteristics, small current characteristics, frequency characteristics, etc. in the entire linear working area; in the design, due to the technical characteristics, it is often necessary to consider the symmetrical structure of the component layout and the matching form of the component parameters. Analog ICs must also have low noise and low distortion. Resistors, capacitors, and inductors can create noise or distortion, and designers must consider the effects of these components.
For digital circuits, there is no noise and distortion, and digital circuit designers don't have to consider these factors at all. In addition, due to the limitation of process technology, the analog circuit should be designed with little or no resistors and capacitors, especially high-resistance resistors and large-capacity capacitors. Only in this way can the integration and cost can be improved.
The layout of certain RF ICs on the board must also be taken into account, and these are not considered in digital IC design. Therefore, designers of analog ICs must be familiar with almost all electronic components.
d, auxiliary tools have less test period
Analog IC designers need both comprehensive knowledge and long experience accumulation. Analog IC designers need to be familiar with IC and wafer fabrication processes and processes, and need to be familiar with the electrical and physical characteristics of most components. Few designers are familiar with the manufacturing processes and processes of ICs and wafers. In terms of experience, analog IC designers need at least 3 years to 5 years of experience, and excellent analog IC designers need 10 years or more of experience.
There are few auxiliary tools for analog IC design, and the EDA tools that can be used are far less than the digital IC design. Since analog ICs consume a lot of power and involve many factors, analog ICs must maintain high stability, so the certification period is long. In addition, analog IC test cycles are long and complex.
Some analog IC products require special processes and packaging, and must be developed in conjunction with the fab, such as the BCD process and the 30V high voltage process. In addition, some products require WCPS wafer-level packaging, and there are not many packaging plants with this technology.
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