A neural-network-based approach for post-fabrication circuit tuning

Abstract

A hierarchical neural-network-based approach for circuit tuning at the post-fabrication stage is proposed. In this approach, measurements that characterize the behavior of the circuit under test are first selected. The best candidates of circuit parameters for tuning are also determined. A training set comprising the selected circuit measurements is then constructed. These measurements are calculated during simulations in which the circuit parameter values are uniformly distributed in a tolerance region around their nominal values. The training set is fed to a self organizing map neural network to cluster the measurements. The generated clusters are manipulated and classified via a hierarchical circuit tuning procedure. Based on this classification, tuning values for the tuning parameters are calculated. Situations in which the circuit cannot be tuned are also addressed. Experimental results indicate that the developed approach provides a robust and efficient technique for circuit tuning.