Dual-Domain Logic Circuitry With Small-Swing I/O for Cryogenic Speed
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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 logic cells, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing propagation delay without compromising signaling speed.
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 decreases
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 optimization of energy efficiency and signaling speed for specific operations while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different voltage levels are applied to different parts of the circuit based on local requirements. High-voltage domains are used where fast signaling is needed, while low-voltage domains are used where energy efficiency is critical. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing both low complexity and high performance in respective areas.
2Device complexity
If single-domain voltage implementation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but signaling speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is segmented into multiple voltage domains where high-voltage domains provide fast signaling for time-critical paths while low-voltage domains handle less time-sensitive operations. This segmentation enables high signaling speed where needed without requiring the entire system to operate at high voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
High signaling speed is achieved locally in high-voltage domains where fast operation is required, while other areas operate at lower voltages. This local optimization of voltage quality resolves the contradiction between simplicity and speed by applying high voltage only where necessary.
3Speed
If large-swing signals are used throughout the circuit, then signaling speed is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is divided into voltage domains where large-swing signals are used only in high-voltage domains for fast signaling, while small-swing signals are used in low-voltage domains for energy-efficient operation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high speed where needed without the energy penalty of large-swing signals throughout the entire circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
Large-swing signals are applied locally in high-voltage domains where fast signaling is critical, while small-swing signals are used in low-voltage domains where energy efficiency is paramount. This local differentiation of signal quality resolves the contradiction between speed and energy efficiency.
4Use of energy by moving object
If small-swing signals are used throughout the circuit, then energy efficiency is improved, but signaling speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is segmented into multiple voltage domains where small-swing signals are used in low-voltage domains for energy efficiency, while large-swing signals are used in high-voltage domains for fast signaling. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high energy efficiency overall while achieving high signaling speed in critical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Small-swing signals are used locally in low-voltage domains where energy efficiency is critical, while large-swing signals are used in high-voltage domains where fast signaling is required. This local optimization of signal quality resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and speed.
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.