OpCadsys: an open tool for automatic synthesis of circuit components for data converters

An open software tool for the synthesis of circuit components for data converters is presented. The synthesis methodology encompasses rule-driven topology selection with prioritized specifications, an heuristically driven coarse solution, a fine-tuned optimized solution and finally the verification. All the knowledge circuits and topologies are written in text files, thus avoiding the need to re-write the program when changing or adding knowledge and topologies to the system. The tool is integrated with other CAD tools, both in-house developed and commercially available, in order to create an open desktop environment for highly flexible synthesis of data converters