What Does Reusable Analog Intellectual Property (Reusable Analog IP) Mean?
Reusable analog intellectual property (IP) refers to hardware- or software-based mixed-signal IP and analog blocks that can be used over a number of different microchips. It was introduced to save time and cost when designing a prototype for each model and brand of a chip's IP block. Microchips that use a standard analog IP block are designed on a specific standard to ensure reusability.
Techopedia Explains Reusable Analog Intellectual Property (Reusable Analog IP)
IP blocks are typically made up of a number of electronic units such as:
- Operational amplifiers
- Locked loops composed of quartz
- Phase-locked loops having a variable frequency oscillator
- Phase detector that helps in in real-time multiplexing of signals, clock and data
- Digital converter for signal processing
- Voltage regulator of integrated circuits
- RF modules for signal generation
- Noise-cutting filters
All the blocks are more or less made up of the same electronic components, which means that they can be designed according to a standard and used for a number of devices. This reusability is not only economical, but sets a standard that can also be used in bulk manufacturing of hardware.