The design, simulation, and fabrication of a VLSI Digitally Programmable GIC filter

Abstract

In this research, the design, simulation and mask layout for a VLSI Digitally Programmable Generalize Impedance Converter (GIC) Filter is presented. Programmable elements are filter type (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch) , center frequency and quality factor. The analog design eliminates the quantization errors, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion components, and the processing time delay associated with digital signal processing devices. Using a GIC as the basic circuit simplifies topology changes to realize the programmability function and eliminates a problematic component for integrated circuit fabrication, the inductor. Additionally, switched capacitor usage allows the elimination of resistors from the design, another problematic component for integrated circuits. The design was simulated with PSPICE while VLSI mask layout was performed with LASI. The chip has been submitted for fabrication to further research the design of analog VLSI circuits.