Optimization of Two-Stage Operational Amplifier Using Firefly Algorithm Considering Environmental Constraints

Nature inspired algorithms are simple, efficient, and well-organized evolutionary computational techniques to optimize the design process of Analog electronic circuits. Due to the presence of several competitive design objectives, analog circuit sizing is inadequate without the analysis of trade-offs between the performance specifications. Therefore proposed work adopted firefly optimization, to optimize the design of the Operational Amplifier by optimising the various design specifications like Gain, Slew Rate, etc., involved in the design to achieve the comprehensive goal of minimum transistor required in the design. The designed two-stage operational amplifier is implemented in UMC 0.18 μm CMOS technology using CADENCE software. Experiments were carried out taking into consideration the design constraints, for different ranges of design variables and were also verified by comparing with simulated results from CADENCE. Based on these results, it can be said that firefly algorithms can match up to theoretical and simulated results, with the firefly algorithm being able to achieve better results in terms of better optimum values of design specification such as Gain, Slew Rate, etc.