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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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…