Design and Implementation of a Field Programmable Analogue Array

A Field Programmable Analogue Array (FPAA) is presented based on switched capacitor technology. The chip allows true array programming of undedicated analogue cells. There is provision for internal signal-conditional switching as part of the normal function of the array. With the presented chip it is possible to implement a very wide range of analogue signal processing functions such as data conversion, linear signal processing and non-linear functions. These functional configurations can be reconfigured and parameterised on the fly during concurrent signal processing. Very rapid prototyping of switched capacitor circuits is facilitated. The field programmable nature of the chip allows several markets/customers to be targeted simultaneously with obvious benefits in terms of both volume of sales and reduced time to market.