Customer Reviews

Art of Analog Layout, The (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, I was very curious to see what a book that covers ONLY analog layout can say. Second, I was eager to see what kinds of topics covered by me in "CMOS IC Layout, Concepts, Methodologies and Tools" are better covered in the "Art of Analog Layout". I ordered the book and spend 2 weeks of night reading to see what the competition did...

I have to be honest and recognize that this book is really trying, with a lot of success, to bring the "science" of circuit design closer to the "Art of Integrated Circuit layout". This is the first book that is coming from processing, physics and design toward a better layout practice. Starting from device physics, semiconductor fabrication, examples of various processes, etc., Alan Hastings is concentrating all his energy to make us, the IC Layout Designers, better prepared to understand all the analog requirements. He is explaining in very deep details why we have to obey design rules, why we need matching devices, diodes, and is teaching us how to work with sensitive devices like Resistors and Capacitors in an analog high speed environment. This book represents a MUST for any IC Layout Designer involved in high speed design, small gate size, special exotic processes, etc., anywhere were the understanding of the process is a basic requirement. BiCMOS, Bipolar and CMOS process fabrication issues are explained to the level that becomes directly useful in a day to day practice of an Analog Layout Designer. I would recommend this book for layout people involved in DIGITAL design, so they can get a grasp of what are the issues in analog and try to address them in their world. As gate size shrinks some of today analog solutions start to be needed for tomorrow-digital designs. Signal integrity, low power libraries, cross talk, clocks symmetry, noise in high-speed designs, special guard rings, etc., are already some of the topics that 10 years ago were only the subject of analog designer.

Thank you Alan, I learned a lot from your book and I am happy that you spent the time and effort to make us better prepared for "The Art of Analog Layout".

Dan Clein, Manager Mixed Signal Layout, PMC-Sierra (Ottawa)

Author of "CMOS IC Layout, Concepts, Methodologies and Tools", Cometic@ieee.org

This book is lacking a great deal of information. First, approximately 60% to 70% deals with bipolar layout techniques, not CMOS which is what I was expecting to find. The common-centroid layout techniques were fairly well explained, but I did disagree on one or two of the matching configurations spelled out. More emphasis could have been given to the layout of pad circuitry for ESD robustness, capacitor matching, guard bars and top-level floorplanning of mixed-signal ASICs. However, I did find the processing chapters good and they hit the main points that are useful in layout.

Even though the author attempts to "dumb" the concepts down to make it more useful for general reference, he uses terms that are not common to most layout designers. Case in point: the term "chirality" is used to describe the symmetry of a given layout. Why not use the term "symmetry" which most people are very familiar with?

If you're a pro at analog layout, don't bother buying this book expecting to learn something new. Chances are, you know most of what is contained in the book. I wish I would've spent my [money] elsewhere. These views are also shared by my peers who have looked over the book and are well-versed in mixed-signal CMOS layout.

Alan Hastings finally wrote a very good "first book" about analog layout. Most cmos design book fail to mention this very important topic. A good electronic design must be followed by a good layout. He also places special emphasis about matching devices. Like a said for all those budding layout designers. It's a good first step. Well done. Can't wait till your next edition. Only one complaint Alan, NO color pictures. Nobody's perfect.

Books on layouting integrated circuits that are practical and don't use an overwhelming amount of maths are very hard to find. But now Alan Hastings has come up with "The Art of Analog Integrated Circuits". Based on his own experience as a circuit and layout designer, he covers every aspect of IC layouting, covering bipolar, CMOS and BiCMOS. He uses a hands-on approach, trading maths for intuitive insights, and gives pointers to overcome real-world problems (somewhat like the other "The Art of..." electronics book!). Important topics include failure mechanisms (ESD, latch-up, ...), matching, device merging, guard rings, high-voltage devices and many more. In short, THE book for anyone that needs an introduction into analog IC layout.

I read Hasting's book when it was in manuscript form, and recommended to Tom Robbins at Prentice-Hall they they publish it. It is full of state-of-the-art information, techniques, and tips that anyone in CMOS IC design would find useful. Many of these are of the type usually only learned from experience. Drawings are accurate, and clear explanations accompany every topic. Alan Hasting's book is a valuable text for the beginner, and an excellent reference for the practicing engineer.

I own this book, as do several of my co-workers. At the time I purchased it, just after it became available, late 2002 if memory serves, I could find only a few books on the subject, including Dan Clein's 'CMOS IC Layout'. I was most happy with this book to teach analog layout techniques. I judged this book as the best, as it is more detailed, deeper, more technical, broader. (See my review of CMOS IC Layout for more comparisons.) There is a lot of bipolar, but even analog CMOS layout makes use of parasitic bipolar junction tranistors and parasitic field FETs that all high voltage analog mask designers need to deal with. Yes, it is arguably lite on ESD, and, as an experienced analog chip designer, I was sad that I could not find mention that CMOS FET and poly resistor matching is generally scaled by the square root of the area, and alot more engineering level detail could be included in that section. Still, this book is the best for analog layout techniques as of 2004.

The most detailed book that I have come across, addressing issues and design practices in analog layout (CMOS and bipolar). It is a combination of extensive layout experience (reflected in easy-to-use thumb rules) and the technical reasoning/nuances leading up to layout decisions. Strongly recommended not only for those starting out with their first design, but also for those who think they have a "feel" of layout practices without really knowing why.

Other comments:
- Content and flow are easy to follow
- Intuitive description of issues
- Process related factors are broadly covered explaining the gist of the matter
- Extensive references for follow-up

One of those rare books that goes into the nitty gritty of analog layout for Bipolar and BiCMOS processes. With the advent of power electronics, this is a must have book. Also talks at length about failure mechanisms which is not well explained online or any of the other classic design books (grey/meyer, razavi etc)

Not giving 5 star because at places it is very verbose and not easy to follow. Otherwise a great book and I own it.

The international edition in softcover is shamefully printed in gray scale. This makes the different mask layers hard to distinguish.

I studied device physics for 4 years in grad school and have been doing analog IC design for 12 years.

I'm writing a review basically just to say "Thanks" to the author. This book is a masterpiece. Obviously it is the work of a lifetime of learning. The depth, the details, the knowledge, the beautifully drawn figures, the clarity of the text, and the breadth and scope, all are stunning. Alan has done an incredible service to our profession. No where else does information like this exist in one book. It is a treasure that I will continue to benefit from and enjoy. Beyond the simple wealth of information, the clarity and the content of the writing make it a joy to read.