The research proposed here centers around the simulation and computer aided design (CAD) of nonlinear analog circuits and systems with large signal excitation, and of circuits with mixed analog and digital signals (e.g. analog-to-digital converters). While there are many excellent schemes for simulation and CAD of digital circuits, there are no satisfactory methods for the analysis of large-signal analog circuits. Currently there is a trend towards monolithicly integrating analog circuits to obtain the same performance, cost and reliability improvements obtained with digital circuits. This can only be achieved if new and accurate computer aided design techniques are developed. The research to be supported by this award will develop and experimentally verify novel nonlinear frequency-domain and nonlinear z-domain simulation techniques and apply them to a CAD environment.
