Multi-level approach for integrated spiral inductor optimization

The efficient optimization of integrated spiral inductors remains a fundamental barrier to the realization of effective analog and mixed-signal design automation. In this paper, we develop a scalable multi-level optimization methodology for spiral inductors that integrates the flexibility of constrained global optimization using mesh-adaptive direct search (MADS) algorithms with the rapid convergence of local nonlinear convex optimization techniques. Experimental results indicate that our methodology locates optimal spiral inductor geometries with significantly fewer function evaluations than current techniques.