Palmo: pulse-based signal processing for programmable analog VLSI

This paper presents novel signaling and circuit techniques for the implementation of programmable analog and mixed signal very large scale integration (VLSI). The signaling technique uses pulsewidth modulated digital signals to convey analog signal information between programmable analog cells. A circuit for a generic programmable analog cell is introduced and is analyzed for harmonic distortion performance. The equivalence of the cell to a switched-capacitor (SC) Miller integrator is proven. Voltage- and current-mode (CM) implementations of the generic programmable analog cell are introduced; an elegant-fast current controlled comparator is presented, and results from working analog VLSI implementations provided.