Jagadish, Usha (1993-04). New power controllers and the cost analysis of designing mixed signal application specific integrated circuits. Doctoral Dissertation.
Thesis
Power Controllers in airborne Power Systems need to monitor system parameters, check for abnormal conditions and initiate action, while conserving area, weight and power. The new power controller designed also offers a hardware platform for implementing more sophisticated power distribution automation algorithms. The design is based on a mixed signal micro controller chip. The flexibility and area reductions introduced by the new design can be extended to redesign any PLA based board in general. A conceptual design for the implementation of a mixed signal power controller Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is presented based on a new design method. Since cost is often a factor that determines whether an ASIC is implemented or not, it is very crucial to determine the cost effectiveness of an ASIC project. The new mixed signal ASIC top level design method presented, gives the designer an insight into the cost aspects in every stage of the project. It helps the customer to choose cost effective options suitable to his needs. Undertaking this preliminary design procedure would prepare the customer for consultations with ASIC vendors. The vendor is also benefited as a consultation is most fruitful when the customer knows his needs. A cost analysis method to determine the cost effectiveness of an ASIC project by comparing the break even cost and the actual cost of an ASIC is presented. The power controller ASIC is designed and analyzed for cost effectiveness using the new models presented.
