Dual-Domain Logic Circuitry Using Level Conversion for Cryogenic I/O
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low power logic circuitry in integrated circuit devices faces inefficiencies in energy usage and signaling speed, particularly in cryogenic applications where operational power dissipation as heat is significant, and conventional single-domain voltage implementations incur penalties in energy efficiency and signaling speed.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of dual-domain logic circuits with small-swing input/output interfaces and large-swing internal control nodes, utilizing metal oxide semiconductor transistors and pass-gate logic to efficiently drive signals across long-haul paths, achieving increased energy efficiency without signaling speed penalties by leveraging level converters to transition signals between voltage domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single-domain voltage implementation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates and signaling speed is penalized
Solution Approach 1:
The logic circuit is divided into multiple voltage domains (first voltage domain with first supply voltage and second voltage domain with second supply voltage). Different voltage domains are used for different functional blocks, allowing energy-efficient operation in critical paths while maintaining simplicity in non-critical areas. This segmentation enables the system to achieve low power consumption without requiring complete redesign of the entire circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
Different voltage domains are assigned to different regions of the circuit based on their specific requirements. The first voltage domain is used for logic circuits requiring high energy efficiency, while the second voltage domain is used for other logic circuits. This local optimization allows each region to operate at its optimal voltage level, improving overall energy efficiency without uniformly increasing complexity across the entire system.
2Loss of energy
If voltage scaling is applied in cryogenic applications, then power dissipation is reduced, but signaling speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects different voltage domains based on the operational requirements of different logic circuits. By making the voltage domain assignment flexible and adaptive, the system can optimize for either power dissipation or signaling speed depending on the specific operational context, rather than being constrained by a fixed voltage level across all circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
A combinational logic circuit includes input circuitry to receive a first input signal that transitions between upper and lower voltages of a first voltage domain, and to generate, in response to the transitions of the first input signal, a first localized signal that transitions between upper and lower voltages of a second voltage domain. The combinational logic circuit additionally includes output circuitry to generate a first output signal that transitions between the upper and lower supply voltages of the first voltage domain based at least in part on the transitions of the first localized signal.