Abstract: An architecture for resonant clock distribution networks is proposed. The proposed architecture allows for the energy-efficient operation of the resonant clock distribution network in conventional mode, so that it meets target specifications for the clock waveform. Such an architecture is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with multiple clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs. Moreover, it is applicable to at-speed testing and to binning of semiconductor devices according to achievable performance levels.

Abstract: An inductor architecture for resonant clock distribution networks is described. This architecture allows for the adjustment of the natural frequency of a resonant clock distribution network, so that it achieves energy-efficient operation at multiple clock frequencies. The proposed architecture exhibits no inductor overheads. Such an architecture is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with multiple clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs. Moreover, it is applicable to the binning of semiconductor devices according to achievable performance levels.

Abstract: A resonant clock distribution network architecture is proposed that is capable of single-step operation through the use of selective control in the resonant clock drivers and the deployment of flip-flops that require the clock to remain stable for a sufficiently long time between any two consecutive state updates. Such a network is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with various clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs.

Abstract: A resonant clock distribution network architecture is proposed that enables a resonant clock network to track the impact of parameter variations on the insertion delay of a conventional clock distribution network, thus limiting clock skew between the two networks and yielding increased performance. Such a network is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with various clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital system that includes a distribution network to carry a reference clock, and a circuit domain coupled to the distribution network to receive the reference clock for synchronous operation in accordance with the reference clock. The circuit domain includes a clock generator driven by the reference clock to generate a resonant clock signal, an input port to receive a control signal, and a gate coupled to the input port to discontinue application of the resonant clock signal within the circuit domain based on the control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital system that includes a distribution network to carry a reference clock and a plurality of circuit domains coupled to the distribution network to receive the reference clock for synchronous operation in accordance with the reference clock. Each circuit domain of the plurality of circuit domains includes a respective clock generator driven by the reference clock to generate a resonant clock signal, respective circuitry coupled to the clock generator to operate in accordance with the resonant clock signal, with the circuitry including a capacitive load for the resonant clock signal and a respective inductance coupled to the circuitry and the clock generator to resonate the capacitive load of the circuitry.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are digital systems and methods for use with a ramped clock signal. The digital system includes an input element having a data input to receive a data signal, a control input to receive a control signal, and a dynamic node to be driven by the ramped clock signal. The digital system further includes a static memory element having an input at the dynamic node and is configured to reside in an operational state in accordance with the data signal and the ramped clock signal. The input element further includes a switch coupled to the control input to condition updating of the operational state based on the control signal without decoupling the ramped clock signal from the dynamic node. In this way, distribution and delivery of the ramped clock signal to the digital system is continued to facilitate recovery of clock signal energy from the digital system.

Abstract: A clock and data distribution network is proposed that distributes clock and data signals without buffers, thus achieving very low jitter, skew, loose timing requirements, and energy consumption. Such network uses resonant drivers and is generally applicable to architectures for programmable logic devices (PLDs) such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), as well as other semiconductor devices with multiple clock networks operating at various clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, applications specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and Systems-on-a-Chip (SOCs).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital system that includes a distribution network to carry a reference clock and a plurality of circuit domains coupled to the distribution network to receive the reference clock for synchronous operation in accordance with the reference clock. Each circuit domain of the plurality of circuit domains includes a respective clock generator driven by the reference clock to generate a resonant clock signal, respective circuitry coupled to the clock generator to operate in accordance with the resonant clock signal, with the circuitry including a capacitive load for the resonant clock signal and a respective inductance coupled to the circuitry and the clock generator to resonate the capacitive load of the circuitry.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital system that includes a distribution network to carry a reference clock, and a circuit domain coupled to the distribution network to receive the reference clock for synchronous operation in accordance with the reference clock. The circuit domain includes a clock generator driven by the reference clock to generate a resonant clock signal, an input port to receive a control signal, and a gate coupled to the input port to discontinue application of the resonant clock signal within the circuit domain based on the control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digital system that includes a distribution network having a path to carry a reference clock and an adjustable delay element disposed along the path, and first and second clock domains coupled to the distribution network to receive the reference clock and configured to be driven by respective clock waveforms, each of which has a frequency in common with the reference clock. The digital system further includes a phase detector coupled to the first and second clock domains to generate a phase difference signal based on the clock waveforms, and a control circuit coupled to the phase detector and configured to adjust the adjustable delay element based on the phase difference signal.

Abstract: A boost circuit is disclosed that includes a plurality of transistors connected between complementary phases of a clock signal. The boost circuit further includes a first electrical node connected between at least two of the plurality of transistors wherein the plurality of transistors are configured to generate a second voltage from a first voltage at the electrical node in response to the clock signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy recovering driver that includes a pull-up control, a pull-down control and a transmission gate. The pull up control is responsive to a pull-up control signal and a clock signal to turn the transmission gate ON and OFF and predetermined positions of the clock signal. The pull-down control is responsive to a pull-down control signal and the clock signal to turn the transmission gate ON and OFF at other predetermined locations of the clock signal. The transmission gate transmits the clock signal when at an ON condition and does not transmit the clock signal when in an OFF condition.

Abstract: A flip-flop includes a charge storage area that stores a logic voltage indicating a logic state of the flip-flop, a first transistor having a source or drain connected to a clock signal generating circuit, a second transistor having a source or drain connected to the clock signal generating circuit, a clock signal generated by the clock signal generating circuit that is ramped or sinusoidal, and a latching circuit that latches a latch voltage value based on voltages at the first transistor and the second transistor. The charge storage area supplies a first voltage representing a state of the storage voltage to a gate of the first transistor and supplies a second voltage to a gate of the second transistor.

Abstract: A clock signal generating circuit includes an oscillator portion that sustains a ramped oscillating clock signal in a memory storage device electrically connected to the oscillator portion, a switch portion that supplements electrical energy to the oscillator portion, and a cycle controller connected to the oscillator portion and the switch portion to supplement energy to the oscillator portion when a peak voltage or current level of the clock signal falls below a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy recovering driver that includes a pull-up control, a pull-down control and a transmission gate. The pull up control is responsive to a pull-up control signal and a clock signal to turn the transmission gate ON and OFF and predetermined positions of the clock signal. The pull-down control is responsive to a pull-down control signal and the clock signal to turn the transmission gate ON and OFF at other predetermined locations of the clock signal. The transmission gate transmits the clock signal when at an ON condition and does not transmit the clock signal when in an OFF condition.

Abstract: A flip-flop includes a charge storage area that stores a logic voltage indicating a logic state of the flip-flop, a first transistor having a source or drain connected to a clock signal generating circuit, a second transistor having a source or drain connected to the clock signal generating circuit, a clock signal generated by the clock signal generating circuit that is ramped or sinusoidal, and a latching circuit that latches a latch voltage value based on voltages at the first transistor and the second transistor. The charge storage area supplies a first voltage representing a state of the storage voltage to a gate of the first transistor and supplies a second voltage to a gate of the second transistor.

Abstract: A clock signal generating circuit includes an oscillator portion that sustains a ramped oscillating clock signal in a memory storage device electrically connected to the oscillator portion, a switch portion that supplements electrical energy to the oscillator portion, and a cycle controller connected to the oscillator portion and the switch portion to supplement energy to the oscillator portion when a peak voltage or current level of the clock signal falls below a predetermined value.