Design Of High Performance Microprocessor Circuits

The authors present readers with a compelling, one-stop, advanced system perspective on the intrinsic issues of digital system design. This invaluable reference prepares readers to meet the emerging challenges of the device and circuit issues associated with deep submicron technology. It incorporates future trends with practical, contemporary methodologies.

This work describes in detail the microarchitecture of a high-performance microprocessor, giving an integrated treatment of platform and systems issues relating to the design and implementation of microprocessor-based systems. This book is a reference for individuals building systems using microprocessors and readers looking for significant insights into fundamental design guidelines that transcend the design, implementation, and use of a specific microprocessor. Practitioners, academics, and technical and product managers alike will benefit from this detailed overview of microprocessors, platforms, and systems for years in the future.

Written by the world’s most prominent microprocessor design leaders from industry and academia, this book provides complete coverage of all aspects of complex microprocessor design: technology, power management, clocking, high-performance architecture, design methodologies, memory and I/O design, computer aided design, testing and design for testability. The chapters provide state-of-the-art knowledge while including sufficient tutorial material to bring non-experts up to speed. A useful companion to design engineers working in related areas.

"Microprocessors are the heart of virtually all computer systems we use today. The level of complexity and the effort needed to design these integrated circuits (IC's) is enormous. I will describe in detail the common computer architectures of some of the highest performance microprocessors being designed today along with features that make each one stand out. Then I will describe a design methodology that enables a fast and reliable development cycle for high performance IC's in general. Background information on circuit design methods that fit into the design methodology along with producing high speed CMOS circuits will be discussed. Finally a case study will be presented which utilized a structured design methodology to successfully design a high performance microprocessor."--Page iii.

Design of High-Performance CMOS Voltage-Controlled Oscillators presents a phase noise modeling framework for CMOS ring oscillators. The analysis considers both linear and nonlinear operation. It indicates that fast rail-to-rail switching has to be achieved to minimize phase noise. Additionally, in conventional design the flicker noise in the bias circuit can potentially dominate the phase noise at low offset frequencies. Therefore, for narrow bandwidth PLLs, noise up conversion for the bias circuits should be minimized. We define the effective Q factor (Qeff) for ring oscillators and predict its increase for CMOS processes with smaller feature sizes. Our phase noise analysis is validated via simulation and measurement results. The digital switching noise coupled through the power supply and substrate is usually the dominant source of clock jitter. Improving the supply and substrate noise immunity of a PLL is a challenging job in hostile environments such as a microprocessor chip where millions of digital gates are present.

This book provides readers with a variety of algorithms and software tools, dedicated to the physical design of through-silicon-via (TSV) based, three-dimensional integrated circuits. It describes numerous “manufacturing-ready” GDSII-level layouts of TSV-based 3D ICs developed with the tools covered in the book. This book will also feature sign-off level analysis of timing, power, signal integrity, and thermal analysis for 3D IC designs. Full details of the related algorithms will be provided so that the readers will be able not only to grasp the core mechanics of the physical design tools, but also to be able to reproduce and improve upon the results themselves. This book will also offer various design-for-manufacturability (DFM), design-for-reliability (DFR), and design-for-testability (DFT) techniques that are considered critical to the physical design process.

Low-Power Digital VLSI Design: Circuits and Systems addresses both process technologies and device modeling. Power dissipation in CMOS circuits, several practical circuit examples, and low-power techniques are discussed. Low-voltage issues for digital CMOS and BiCMOS circuits are emphasized. The book also provides an extensive study of advanced CMOS subsystem design. A low-power design methodology is presented with various power minimization techniques at the circuit, logic, architecture and algorithm levels. Features: Low-voltage CMOS device modeling, technology files, design rules Switching activity concept, low-power guidelines to engineering practice Pass-transistor logic families Power dissipation of I/O circuits Multi- and low-VT CMOS logic, static power reduction circuit techniques State of the art design of low-voltage BiCMOS and CMOS circuits Low-power techniques in CMOS SRAMS and DRAMS Low-power on-chip voltage down converter design Numerous advanced CMOS subsystems (e.g. adders, multipliers, data path, memories, regular structures, phase-locked loops) with several design options trading power, delay and area Low-power design methodology, power estimation techniques Power reduction techniques at the logic, architecture and algorithm levels More than 190 circuits explained at the transistor level.

A modern, comprehensive introduction to DRAM for students and practicing chip designers Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) technology has been one of the greatestdriving forces in the advancement of solid-state technology. With its ability to produce high product volumes and low pricing, it forces solid-state memory manufacturers to work aggressively to cut costs while maintaining, if not increasing, their market share. As a result, the state of the art continues to advance owing to the tremendous pressure to get more memory chips from each silicon wafer, primarily through process scaling and clever design. From a team of engineers working in memory circuit design, DRAM Circuit Design gives students and practicing chip designers an easy-to-follow, yet thorough, introductory treatment of the subject. Focusing on the chip designer rather than the end user, this volume offers expanded, up-to-date coverage of DRAM circuit design by presenting both standard and high-speed implementations. Additionally, it explores a range of topics: the DRAM array, peripheral circuitry, global circuitry and considerations, voltage converters, synchronization in DRAMs, data path design, and power delivery. Additionally, this up-to-date and comprehensive book features topics in high-speed design and architecture and the ever-increasing speed requirements of memory circuits. The only book that covers the breadth and scope of the subject under one cover, DRAM Circuit Design is an invaluable introduction for students in courses on memory circuit design or advanced digital courses in VLSI or CMOS circuit design. It also serves as an essential, one-stop resource for academics, researchers, and practicing engineers.

Passive Components for Circuit Design is a unique introduction to this key area of analog electronics designed for technician engineers and anyone involved in circuit design. The coverage encompasses all component types capable of power amplification: resistors, capacitors, transformers, solenoids, motors and transducers. The behaviour of the components is explored along with the different types available and the principles of circuit design. Tolerances, stability, variation with temperature, reliability and manufacturing standards are all covered. Reading this book will improve your skills in component selection and analog circuit design. These are essential skills not only for the analog designer, but for all circuit designers, professional or amateur. Gain a deeper understanding of using passive components Understand the range of components and their applications before designing and specifying Acquire a working knowledge with a minimum of maths

CMOS Memory Circuits is a systematic and comprehensive reference work designed to aid in the understanding of CMOS memory circuits, architectures, and design techniques. CMOS technology is the dominant fabrication method and almost the exclusive choice for semiconductor memory designers. Both the quantity and the variety of complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) memories are staggering. CMOS memories are traded as mass-products worldwide and are diversified to satisfy nearly all practical requirements in operational speed, power, size, and environmental tolerance. Without the outstanding speed, power, and packing density characteristics of CMOS memories, neither personal computing, nor space exploration, nor superior defense systems, nor many other feats of human ingenuity could be accomplished. Electronic systems need continuous improvements in speed performance, power consumption, packing density, size, weight, and costs. These needs continue to spur the rapid advancement of CMOS memory processing and circuit technologies. CMOS Memory Circuits is essential for those who intend to (1) understand, (2) apply, (3) design and (4) develop CMOS memories.