Abstract: A system and method for providing automatic compensation of IC design parameters that vary as a result of natural process variation is disclosed. In a simplified embodiment, the difference in voltages, &Dgr;VGS, between two identical diode-connected MOSFETs, which are biased with currents that are known to be different in value, is determined. &Dgr;VGS, is inversely proportional to the transconductance of the first of the two diode-connected MOSFETs, which is also biased with a current, ID. A relationship that embodies a direct proportionality between the transconductance of the first diode-connected MOSFET and a circuit performance parameter is derived, thereby establishing a relationship between &Dgr;VGS and the circuit performance parameter. Process compensation is then implemented, comparing known reference voltages with &Dgr;VGS.

Abstract: In general, the multi-mode analog front-end provides an internal line driver and hybrid, as well as numerous functions, in order to provide a close to optimum solution for all digital subscriber line applications. The functions provided for by the analog front-end include; programmable hybrid attenuation; onboard amplifiers for driving external transmit and receive filters; a line driver with programmable drive and gain; programmable RC-filters capable of calibration via an internal loop-back under digital control; a programmable switched-capacitor filter for tracking the over sampling rate used by a digital signal processor; internal testing functions; a high frequency boost circuit; a dual input peak detector; selectable data rates; and a programmable data interface. The analog front-end allows for use of particular blocks within the analog front-end particular to the functions necessary to compensate for a particular digital subscriber line application.