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Reusable Analog Intellectual Property

What Does Reusable Analog Intellectual Property 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.

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Techopedia Explains Reusable Analog Intellectual Property

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
  • Transmitters
  • Receivers
  • 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.

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