Hybrid Cell Array With Segmented Active Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
As integrated circuits (ICs) continue to downscale, the increased number of standard cells leads to a larger chip area, necessitating a cell array that balances power and speed while efficiently utilizing space.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid cell array is designed with alternating rows of logic cells, where one row features transistors with discontinuous active regions for power optimization and another row with continuous active regions for speed optimization, utilizing different transistor configurations and isolation structures to optimize both power and speed without increasing chip area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of standard cells is increased to enhance processing power, then the chip area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cell array is divided into alternating rows with different configurations: first rows contain logic cells with discontinuous active regions for power optimization, while second rows contain logic cells with continuous active regions for speed optimization. This segmentation allows the chip to handle increased processing demands without proportionally increasing area, as different row types serve different functional purposes efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cell array are assigned different characteristics: odd rows use discontinuous active regions optimized for power efficiency, while even rows use continuous active regions optimized for speed. This local differentiation allows the overall chip to achieve both power efficiency and high performance in specific regions, maximizing processing power within constrained area.
2Speed
If logic cells with continuous active regions are used, then operation speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cell array alternates between rows with continuous active regions (for speed) and rows with discontinuous active regions (for power efficiency). This segmentation ensures that high-speed operation is achieved in specific rows when needed, while other rows consume less power, balancing overall performance and energy usage across the entire chip.
Solution Approach 2:
Continuous active regions are localized to specific even rows where high-speed operation is prioritized, while odd rows use discontinuous active regions for power efficiency. This local quality assignment allows the chip to optimize speed in critical paths without sacrificing overall power efficiency across the entire array.
3Use of energy by moving object
If logic cells with discontinuous active regions are used, then power efficiency is improved, but operation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cell array is segmented into alternating rows: odd rows with discontinuous active regions optimized for power efficiency, and even rows with continuous active regions optimized for speed. This segmentation compensates for the speed limitation of discontinuous regions by providing adjacent high-speed rows, ensuring overall performance is maintained while achieving better power efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Discontinuous active regions are assigned to odd rows where power efficiency is the primary concern, while even rows use continuous regions for speed-critical operations. This local quality differentiation allows the chip to optimize power consumption in non-critical paths without compromising overall operational speed.
4Power
If alternating rows with different configurations are implemented, then both power and speed are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cell array is segmented into repeating units of alternating rows with different configurations. This regular segmentation pattern, while creating structural complexity, actually simplifies the overall design by establishing a predictable, repeating unit that can be easily replicated and managed, offsetting the apparent complexity with systematic organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell array structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: odd rows provide power-efficient computation, even rows provide high-speed computation, and the alternating pattern enables both power optimization and speed optimization within the same array. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by delivering superior overall performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a cell array having a plurality of rows. The cell array includes a plurality of first logic cells arranged in at least one first row, and a plurality of second logic cells arranged in at least one second row. The first logic cells share a first active region. Each of the second logic cells has a second active region, and the second active regions of two adjacent second logic cells are separated from each other by an isolation structure. The first logic cells of the first row are in contact with the second logic cells of the second row.