Dual Power Rail CMOS Layout for Flexible Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated circuit (IC) devices often struggle with controlling power consumption due to the use of a single power source, which necessitates separate design and separation of blocks based on voltage levels.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an integrated circuit device with dual power sources, where a first power source is coupled to a front-side power rail and a second power source is coupled to a back-side power rail, both connected to the same transistor. A controller manages the activation of either power source based on operational needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single power source is used in conventional IC devices, then the device structure is simpler, but power consumption control is difficult and blocks must be separated by voltage level
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution network is segmented into multiple independent power sources (first power source coupled to front-side power rail, second power source coupled to back-side power rail). Each power source can be independently controlled to provide different voltage levels to the same transistor, enabling fine-grained power consumption control without requiring voltage-level-specific standard cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The same transistor is designed to accept power from multiple power sources through different power rails (front-side and back-side). This universal transistor design can operate with either voltage level, eliminating the need for separate high-voltage and low-voltage standard cells and improving power consumption control flexibility.
2Reliability
If separate high-voltage and low-voltage blocks are designed, then each block receives appropriate voltage level, but the device requires voltage-level-specific standard cells increasing design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Transistors are designed as universal components that can accept power from either the front-side power rail or back-side power rail, depending on the operational requirements. This multi-functional transistor design eliminates the need for separate high-voltage and low-voltage standard cells, reducing design complexity while maintaining appropriate voltage level delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution system is made dynamic by enabling transistors to switch between different power sources (front-side or back-side power rails) based on operational mode. This dynamic power assignment allows the same transistor to operate at different voltage levels as needed, eliminating static voltage-level-specific block designs.
3Ease of manufacture
If front-side power rail is used for power distribution, then data signals can be on the same side, but power consumption control flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution network utilizes the third dimension by introducing a back-side power rail in addition to the front-side power rail. This vertical stacking of power rails (front-side and back-side) provides an additional dimension for power delivery, enabling independent control of power consumption without compromising manufacturing integration or data signal routing on the front-side.
Solution Approach 2:
The power distribution is segmented into front-side and back-side power rails, each independently controllable. This segmentation allows flexible power consumption control by selectively activating power from either rail, while maintaining the manufacturing advantage of having data signals and front-side power on the same side.
Data Source
AI summary
CMOS devices are provided. A CMOS device includes a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor. Moreover, the CMOS device includes a dual power rail having a front-side power rail and a back-side power rail that are both coupled to one of the PMOS transistor or the NMOS transistor. The PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor are in a vertical transistor stack, or are side-by-side.