Developments in and applications of mixed-signal HDL tools

Rapid development of telecommunications and the widespread adoption of electronics in automotive applications have fuelled the desire to take a top down approach to mixed signal design. HDLs have become a cornerstone of digital electronic design. Their acceptance has led naturally to the proposal of analogue and mixed signal HDLs. However, the use of the latter is far from widespread. The lack of a fully adopted standard must account for some of this reluctance, but there are benefits that accrue from the use of an HDL based method, regardless of standardization. The purpose of this paper is to point out where this method can assist in the improvement of the electronic design process