# SPICEMixer - Netlist-Level Circuit Evolution

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.01497 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.01497/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 13 of its 43 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 2 Jun 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 13 of 13)

- [Evolution Strategies as a Scalable Alternative to Reinforcement Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1703.03864/) (2017)
- [The CMA Evolution Strategy: A Tutorial](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1604.00772/) (2016)
- [AnalogCoder: Analog Circuit Design via Training-Free Code Generation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.14918/) (2024)
- [CktGNN: Circuit Graph Neural Network for Electronic Design Automation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.16406/) (2023)
- [AutoCkt: Deep Reinforcement Learning of Analog Circuit Designs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2001.01808/) (2020)
- [AnalogGenie: A Generative Engine for Automatic Discovery of Analog Circuit Topologies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.00205/) (2025)
- [DNN-Opt: An RL Inspired Optimization for Analog Circuit Sizing using Deep Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.00211/) (2021)
- [AnalogXpert: Automating Analog Topology Synthesis by Incorporating Circuit Design Expertise into Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.19824/) (2024)
- [Schemato -- An LLM for Netlist-to-Schematic Conversion](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.13899/) (2024)
- [Machine Learning Driven Global Optimisation Framework for Analog Circuit Design](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.02911/) (2024)
- [GraCo -- A Graph Composer for Integrated Circuits](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.13890/) (2024)
- [Circuit-centric Genetic Algorithm (CGA) for Analog and Radio-Frequency Circuit Optimization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.17938/) (2023)
- [Locality-aware Surrogates for Gradient-based Black-box Optimization](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.19161/) (2025)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Spicing up Genetic Netlist Generation with LLMs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.23317/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We present SPICEMixer, a genetic algorithm that synthesizes circuits by directly evolving SPICE netlists. SPICEMixer operates on individual netlist lines, making it compatible with arbitrary components and subcircuits and enabling general-purpose genetic operators: crossover, mutation, and pruning, all applied directly at the netlist level. To support these operators, we normalize each netlist by enforcing consistent net naming (inputs, outputs, supplies, and internal nets) and by sorting components and nets into a fixed order, so that similar circuit structures appear at similar line positions. This normalized netlist format improves the effectiveness of crossover, mutation, and pruning. We demonstrate SPICEMixer by synthesizing standard cells (e.g., NAND2 and latch) and by designing OpAmps that meet specified targets. Across tasks, SPICEMixer matches or exceeds recent synthesis methods while requiring substantially fewer simulations.