Reevaluating fast dual-voltage power rail switching circuitry

Abstract

Several recent papers have been published proposing the use of dual-voltage rails and fast switching circuitry to address bottlenecks or overcome process variation in near- threshold computing systems. The published results yield boosting transition times of 7-10ns, which, in some cases, is needed for the architectural contributions to be justified. However, the analysis of these circuits assumed incorrect core models, ideal off-chip power supplies, and non-worst case scenarios. When realistic bonding capacitance and inductance are included, proper core models are used, and worst-case simulation is performed these transitions times can be off by 3x, adversly impacting the potential gains in the system.In this paper we analyze the previously proposed de- signs, and propose a new design in order to achieve the de- sired transition time. By using a third internal power rail and some additional on-chip capacitors the supply voltage noise can be isolated from the main external power sup- plies. Ultimately the new circuit achieves the desired 10ns transition time, allowing the architectural contributions of the previous studies to still be attainable.

Publication
2012 Workshop on Duplicating, Decontructing and Debunking (WDDD)
Date