Abstract: A system and method for providing a driver for a multi-voltage island/core architecture of an integrated circuit chip are provided. A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverter is built with a high threshold voltage p-channel field-effect transistor (hi-Vt PFET) and a regular threshold voltage n-channel field-effect transistor (NFET), which uses the maximum positive voltage supply (Vdd) on the chip. The threshold voltage of the hi-Vt PFET is determined based on the maximum Vdd, the Vdd of the Voltage island/core that drives the CMOS inverter, and a subthreshold leakage current requirement of the hi-Vt PFET.

Abstract: A logic family consisting of four basic logical circuits performing AND, OR, NAND and NOR functions is disclosed. The AND and OR logic circuits function without a power supply and complementary input signals. The NAND and NOR logic circuits function without complementary input signals. The AND and OR logic circuits are constructed using two MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistors, namely, one P-channel MOS transistor and one N-channel MOS transistor. The NAND and NOR logic circuits are constructed using four MOS transistors, namely, two P-channel MOS transistors and two N-channel MOS transistors. The logic circuits may have higher speed, occupy less area and consume less power because power supply is not needed, complementary input signals are not used and fewer transistors are used. The logic circuits may have increased performance relative to CMOS (Complementary MOS) logic circuits, CPL (Complementary Pass Logic) circuits and DPL (Dual Pass Logic) circuits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shifting a dynamic circuit, driven by a one-shot clock, to a pre-charge mode, during a power-off mode, is provided. Under certain conditions, a floating node may be present in a dynamic circuit. One approach to prevent floating nodes involves the generation of a new one-shot clock signal that is supplied to the last dynamic circuit in the series of dynamic circuits before the output flop (“the final dynamic circuit”). The new one-shot clock signal is driven to a logical low value when the power-off signal has a logical high value. Another approach to prevent floating nodes involves modifying the final dynamic circuit to include a structure that, when the power-off signal has a logical high value, drives the dynamic node to either a logical high value or a logical low value to prevent the dynamic node from becoming a floating node.

Abstract: Disclosed are keeper circuits for electronic circuits that selectively maintain the voltage level of an intermediate circuit node at a desired level. In one exemplary embodiment, a keeper transistor either provides current or drains current from the intermediate node to maintain the desired voltage level in response to a signal to do so. The keeper circuit works against a leakage current that either drains current from the node or supplies current to the node. A current-setting transistor is coupled in series with the keeper transistor to set the maximum current through the keeper circuit to a value that is related to this leakage current, preferably tracking the leakage current. With this construction, the current-setting transistor is able to track variations in the leakage current caused by variations in the manufacturing process, and thereby provide dynamic leakage compensation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a differential signaling circuit including differential signaling circuitry having at least one output and one input, that can operate in multiple mode of operations while using a single, low voltage supply source. Two or more switches are included and configured to selectively couple a supply voltage to the output dependent on a mode of operation of the differential signaling circuitry. The circuit also includes a switch control biasing circuit operatively coupled to at least one of the switches and to the output of the differential signaling circuitry. The switch control biasing circuit provides a switch control biasing voltage to control a state of the switch based on a voltage level of the output. Further, a bulk biasing circuit is included and operatively coupled to the switch. The bulk biasing circuit selectively provides a bulk biasing voltage to the switch based on the voltage level of the output.

Abstract: The present invention system and method provides voltage level support for an output target signal (e.g., a dynamic node output signal) that “keeps” the output target signal at a particular voltage level with efficient suspension of the voltage level maintenance or support during an evaluation transition period (e.g., a read operation) of the output target signal.

Abstract: A circuit system having a first inverter, a second inverter and a blockage module is disclosed. The first inverter is coupled between a supply voltage and a complementary input signal, for generating a first output signal on an output terminal thereof in response to an input signal received by an input terminal of the same. The blockage module is coupled to the output terminal of the first inverter for selectively passing the first output signal there across in response to the input signal and the complementary input signal. The second inverter is coupled between the supply voltage and a complementary supply voltage, having a first input terminal directly coupled to the output terminal of the first inverter and a second input terminal coupled to the same via the blockage module for generating a second output signal in response to the first output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring proper operation of a dynamic circuit is provided. A dynamic circuit instance has a plurality of outputs connected to a respective one of a plurality of leakage detector circuits. An output of each leakage detector circuit is connected with a respective one of a plurality of keeper circuits that reside at the dynamic circuit. Each of the plurality of keeper circuits has a unique size ratio with respect to a logic element size of the dynamic circuit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a cell source line which supplies a voltage to logic circuits, a capacity source line which supplies a voltage to the cell source line, a control circuit source line, switches by which the cell source line is isolated from or connected to the capacity source line and the control circuit source line, and buffer circuits which drive signals which control the switches, respectively. When the system is activated, a potential is applied to the capacity source line for charging, after which the cell-to-capacity switch is turned on. Then, a voltage is applied to the cell source line, which allows a steep rise in voltage at the cell source line. As a result, charging time is reduced and flow-through current which flows through transistors constituting the logic circuit can be reduced as well.

Abstract: A non-inverting domino register including a domino stage, a storage stage, a keeper circuit and an output stage. The domino stage includes evaluation logic, coupled between evaluation devices at a pre-charged node, which evaluates a logic function. The storage stage drives a first preliminary output node and includes a pull-up device and a pull-down device both responsive to the pre-charged node, and a second pull-down device responsive to the clock signal. The keeper circuit is a cross-coupled pair of inverters coupled between the first preliminary output node and a second preliminary output node. The output stage includes a pair of pull-up and pull-down devices for driving an output node. The first pull-up device and the first pull-down device are both responsive to the pre-charged node, and the second pull-up device and the second pull-down device are both responsive to the second preliminary output node.

Abstract: A domino register including an evaluation circuit, a write circuit, an inverter, a keeper circuit, and output logic. The evaluation circuit pre-charges a first node and evaluates a logic function for controlling a state of the first node when the clock signal goes high. The write circuit drives a second node high if the first node is low and drives the second node low if the first node stays high during evaluation. The inverter inverts the second node to control the state of a third node. The keeper circuit keeps the second node high while the third node and clock signals are both low and keeps the second node low while the third and first nodes are both high. The high and low paths of the keeper circuit are otherwise disabled, including when the write circuit changes state. Thus, the write circuit does not have to overcome a keeper device.

Abstract: A latching dynamic logic includes a dynamic logic gate, a static logic input interface, and a set-reset output latch. The dynamic logic gate receives a clock signal, a data signal, and a select signal output of the static logic input interface. The dynamic logic gate includes a dynamic node and a pulldown network coupled to the dynamic node. The pulldown network selectively discharges the dynamic node following a clock signal transition dependent on the data signal and the select signal output of the static logic input interface being active. The set-reset output latch is coupled to the dynamic node of the dynamic logic gate for providing an output signal.

Abstract: A ratioed logic gate includes a contention interrupt circuit. The ratioed logic gate includes a pull up network coupled to a pull down network. Multiple inputs are coupled to turn the pull down and pull up networks on and off. An output is coupled to apply a logical function on the multiple inputs. A contention interrupt circuit is coupled to one of the pull up and the pull down networks to open circuit the one of the pull up and pull down networks when the pull up and pull down networks are in contention.

Abstract: A differential switching circuit has a first transistor connected between a first output node and a common node and a second transistor connected between a second output node and the common node. A switching driver generates first and second driving signals in response to an input data signal so as to complementarily drive the first and second transistors. A voltage level of at least one of the first and second driving signals is maintained so as to cause at least one of the first and second transistors to operate in a saturation region regardless of a voltage variation of at least one of the first or second output nodes when the at least one of the first and second transistors is turned on. Output impedance of the device is enhanced because the first and second transistors operate in the saturation region.

Abstract: A programmable, equalizing buffer is provided having feedback transistors used to vary the transfer function of the equalizing buffer, such that a low pass response of a transmission channel is substantially equalized. A zero in the buffer's transfer function is established by a conductive state of transistors caused by signal feedback. Multiple transistors establish increased flexibility for establishing the location of the zero, while a cascade of buffer stages provides a second order transfer function effective to cancel second order channel effects.

Abstract: A plurality of conduction control circuits controls conduction of input signals. A logical operation circuit receives output signals from each of the conduction control circuits via a plurality of signal paths, and performs a logical operation on each of the output signals to output a single signal. A signal-level setting circuit sets, when the conduction of the input signals in the conduction control circuits connected to a same signal path is blocked, a signal level of the signal path. A control-signal generating circuit generates a first control signal that controls the conduction control circuits to select only one input signal for conduction, and a second control signal that controls the signal-level setting circuit to set the signal level of the signal path, by performing a logical operation on a same input signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit with stabilized amplitude and offset potential of output signals comprising an output circuit including plural transistors supplied with differential signals, for performing switching operation. A first transistor is connected between a first power supply potential and the output circuit. A second transistor is connected between the output circuit and a second power supply potential. A third transistor is connected to the first power supply potential. A fourth transistor, passes a current proportional to that flowing in the second transistor. A differential amplifier controls gate potentials of the first and third transistors such that a potential at a connection point between a first resistance and a second resistance approaches a predetermined potential.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a plurality of cascaded IC's (14, 15, 16), wherein the matching impedance between a signal transmission path (12) connected to an external signal transmission path and an input-side or output-side IC (14, 16) is set at 50 ohms which is equal to the characteristics impedance of the external signal transmission path. The matching impedance between a internal signal transmission path (13) and an input-side or output-side IC or intermediate IC is set at 200 ohms which is higher than the 50 ohms. The semiconductor device reduces the current dissipation and can operate at a higher speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dynamic hardware logic of computer processors. In particular, it relates to a method and respective system for operating a dynamic logic circuit implementing some predetermined logic function with reduced charge sharing. In order to further reduce charge sharing it is proposed to provide a predetermined number of pre-engineered switching arrangements (24, 26, 28) implementing the same logic function with a different combinatorial distribution of input variables (A, B, C), wherein each arrangement is connected between said precharged node of higher potential and a lower potential.

Abstract: A number of different dynamic circuits having improved noise tolerance and a method for designing same are provided. The circuits include a power supply node and a precharge node. Keeper circuitry is connected to the nodes and has a current-voltage characteristic that exhibits a negative differential resistance property to improve noise tolerance of the circuits.

Abstract: The use of an alternating current (ac) source to power logic circuitry can support satisfactory device performance for a variety of applications, while enhancing long-term stability of the circuitry. For example, when organic thin film transistor (OTFT)-based logic circuitry is powered by an ac power source, the logic circuitry exhibits stable performance characteristics over an extended period of operation. Enhanced stability may permit the use of OTFT logic circuitry to form a variety of circuit devices, including inverters, oscillators, logic gates, registers and the like. Such circuit devices may find application in a variety of applications, including integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, flat panel displays, smart cards, cell phones, and RFID tags. In some applications, the ac-powered logic circuitry may eliminate the need for ac-dc rectification components, thereby reducing the manufacturing time, expense, cost, complexity, and size of the component carrying the circuitry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a modified dynamic flip-flop avoids the power waste created by prior art dynamic flip-flops by including a conditional pre-charge control circuit and method. When the modified dynamic flip-flop is in a holding mode, i.e., in the clock disable state, the modified dynamic flip-flop does not use power pre-charging and discharging the internal dynamic node every cycle.

Abstract: A method includes precharging a first dynamic node, precharging a second dynamic node, and maintaining a first logic state of a signal on the first dynamic node responsive to a second logic state of a signal on the second dynamic node. The method further includes maintaining the second logic state of the signal on the second dynamic node responsive to the first logic state of the signal on the first dynamic node.

Abstract: A voltage level shifter is provided. The shifter includes an AND gate for generating a synchronizing signal according to a periodic signal and a primitive input signal. The synchronizing signal and a first periodic control signal that are in phase with the periodic control signal are inputted to a transistor device. The transistor device is constructed with an inverter. The voltage level shifter further includes a buffer for generating an output signal and a capacitor for storing a signal. The present invention also provides a switching circuit for preventing the turning on of both PMOS transistor and NMOS transistor simultaneously during a switching status. The present invention can also solve the issue caused by the ratio of the channel width to the channel length, thus the uncertainty of the manufacturing process will not affect the circuit. Therefore, the power consumption, the chip area and the cost are reduced.

Abstract: A LVDS output driver has been disclosed. One embodiment of the LVDS output driver includes a number of source followers, each of the source followers including a pull-down transistor having a source, a drain, a gate, and a bulk terminal. The embodiment of the LVDS output driver further includes a number of pull-up transistors, each of the pull-up transistors having a source, a drain, and a gate, wherein the drain of each of the pull-up transistors is coupled to the source of a pull-down transistor of the source followers, to output a number of differential signals via the drains of the pull-up transistors. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for accelerating the evaluated output of an P-domino latch. The apparatus includes evaluation P-logic, latching logic, keeper logic, and acceleration logic. The evaluation P-logic is coupled to a first N-channel device at a pre-charged node, and is configured to evaluate a logic function based on at least one input data signal. The latching logic is coupled and responsive to a clock signal and the pre-charged node. The latching logic controls the state of a latch node based on the state of the pre-charged node during an evaluation period between a first edge of said clock signal and a second edge of the clock signal. The latching logic otherwise presents a tri-state condition to the latch node. The keeper logic is coupled to the latch node. The keeper logic maintains the state of the latch node when the tri-state condition is presented, and provides a complementary state of the latch node at a complementary latch node.

Abstract: A latchless dynamic asynchronous digital pipeline circuit provides decoupled control of pull-up and pull-down. Using two decoupled input, a stage is driven through three distinct phases in sequence: evaluate, isolate and precharge. In the isolate phase, a stage holds its outputs stable irrespective of any changes at its inputs. Adjacent pipeline stages are capable of storing distinct data items without spacers.

Abstract: A dynamic logic gate with a conditional keeper, the conditional keeper comprising a pMOSFET pull-up that switches ON only after the dynamic logic gate completes an evaluation so as to avoid contention with the pull-down network. By sizing the conditional keeper to be stronger than the half-keeper, embodiments may realize a significant reduction in soft error rates that are latched.

Abstract: Power consumption in NDL designs utilizing FAST14 technology can be controlled via the introduction and propagation of null value 1-of-N signals in selected areas of the logic. A shared logic tree circuit, which might perform an arithmetic function or a multiplexing function, evaluates a 1-of-N input logic signal and produces a 1-of-N output logic signal having a null value if the input has a null value. A null value signal is defined as a valid multiwire 1-of-N signal used in NDL logic having N wires where N is greater than 2, where no one of the N wires of the 1-of-N signal is asserted when the NDL gate evaluates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for accelerating the evaluated output of an N-domino latch. The apparatus includes evaluation N-logic, latching logic, keeper logic, and acceleration logic. The evaluation N-logic is coupled to a first P-channel device at a pre-charged node, and is configured to evaluate a logic function based on at least one input data signal. The latching logic is coupled and responsive to a clock signal and the pre-charged node. The latching logic controls the state of a latch node based on the state of the pre-charged node during an-evaluation period between a first edge of said clock signal and a second edge of the clock signal. The latching logic otherwise presents a tri-state condition to the latch node. The keeper logic is coupled to the latch node. The keeper logic maintains the state of the latch node when the tri-state condition is presented, and provides a complementary state of the latch node at a complementary latch node.

Abstract: A dynamic-static logical control element for signaling an interval between the end of a control signal and a logical evaluation provides a compact circuit for blocking the indication of a non-evaluated state of a dynamic logic gate until a control signal has ended. The control signal is connected to a precharge input of the control element and a summing node is connected to one or more evaluation trees and to the control element output via an inverter. The inverter is connected to an override circuit that forces the output of the control element to a state opposite the precharge state until the control signal has ended. The output of the control element then assumes a state corresponding to the precharge state until an evaluation occurs. The control element output thus produces a window signal indicating the interval between the end of the control signal and the evaluation.

Abstract: A logic circuit employs a shunt peaked technique to enhance the switching speed of the circuit without an increase in power dissipation. A differential logic gate implements a digital circuit function. The shunt peaked logic circuit includes two resistive and two inductive elements. For each differential output line, a resistive element is coupled in series to an inductive element so as to couple the circuit power supply voltage to a differential output line. Under this configuration, the bandwidth of the logic circuit is increased without an increase in power consumption. The logic circuit may be implemented using CML or ECL logic. Techniques for improving large signal performance for active shunt-peaked circuits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A level shifter with cross coupled inverters having different threshold voltages. The output of the level shifter is pulled to a known voltage state during power up. In some examples, one of the inverters includes an additional N-channel transistor wherein the threshold voltage is greater the threshold voltage of the other inverter due to the additional transistor.

Abstract: Methods and circuits are described for reducing power consumption within digital logic circuits by blocking the passage of clock signal transitions to the logic circuits when the clock signal would not produce a desired change of state within the logic circuit, such as at inputs, intermediary nodes, outputs, or combinations. By way of example, the incoming clock is blocked if a given set of logic inputs will not result in an output change of state if a clock signal transition were to be received. By way of further example, the incoming clock is blocked in a data flip-flop if the input signal matches the output signal, such that receipt of a clock transition would not produce a desired change of state in the latched output. The invention may be utilized for creating lower power combinatorial and/or sequential logic circuit stages subject to less unproductive charging and discharging of gate capacitances.

Abstract: A dynamic logic hold time latch (20). The latch comprises a first phase circuit (12?) operable in a precharge phase and an evaluate phase and a second phase circuit (22) operable in a precharge phase and an evaluate phase. The precharge phase and the evaluate phase of the second phase circuit are out of phase with respect to the precharge phase and the evaluate phase of the first phase circuit. The first phase circuit comprises a precharge node (12?PN) to be precharged to a precharge voltage during the precharge phase of the first phase circuit and operable to be discharged during the evaluate phase of the first phase circuit. The first phase circuit also comprises an output (12?OUT) for providing a signal in response to a state at the precharge node of the first phase circuit.

Abstract: A static logic circuit with a pull-up network (155) and a pull-down network (160). The network is fabricated on SOI substrates and the pull-up network comprises at least one NMOS transistor (115) and the pull down network comprises at least one PMOS transistor (120).

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device is composed of logic gates each provided with MOS transistors. The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a current control device. The circuit can be used in devices that cycle in operation between high and low power consumption modes, such as microprocessors, that have both an operation mode and a low power back-up or sleep mode used for power reduction.

Abstract: In order to improve the robustness against electrostatic discharge, when power source terminal and ground terminal are open, of a semiconductor device having a first, a second and a third inverter that are connected in a cascade arrangement, the semiconductor device is provided not only with a first input protection circuit for guiding positive electrostatic discharges, that are applied from outside to a signal input terminal, to a power source line, and a second input protection circuit for guiding negative electrostatic discharges, that are applied from outside to the signal input terminal, to a ground line, but also an internal protection circuit for guiding electrostatic discharges that have been guided by the first input protection circuit to the power source line and flow from a P-channel MOS transistor in the second inverter towards the third inverter, to the ground line.

Abstract: A noninverting transistor switch having only a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal includes a transistor connected to the second and third terminals, the transistor having an on switching state in which current is able to pass between the second and third terminals and an off switching state in which current is interrupted from passing between the second and third terminals. The transistor switch also includes a voltage stabilizer connected to the second and third terminals. The transistor switch further includes a CMOS inverter connected to the first terminal, the second terminal, the transistor and the voltage stabilizer. In use, the CMOS inverter interrupts the passing of current between the voltage stabilizer and the second terminal when the transistor is in its off switching state.

Abstract: A two-phase non-overlapping clock generator (12) generating a sampling signal (20) utilizing a three transistor NAND gate (50). The NAND gate of the present invention eliminates one large PMOSFET (46), and has one NMOSFET (52) driven by the other phase and having its source grounded. The present invention yields substantial improvement on the jitter of the clock phases. Both rising and falling transitions are improved because of the greatly reduced self-loading of the NAND gate. Overshooting is eliminated, and the NAND gate body effect is minimized, providing enhanced jitter performance of the sampling signal and improving a signal to noise ratio (SNR). The principle of the present invention are also embodied in a NOR gate (70).

Abstract: A storage element (100, 200) is capable of statically storing a dynamic input signal, and providing that static signal to dynamic logic gates. The element receives at least two input logic signals (150, 170), one of which is a dynamic signal (150) that may be one wire of a 1-of-N signal used in FAST14 logic from a dynamic logic gate (72) that may be a NDL gate, and generates one or more static logic output signals (190, 192). The element, which may or may not receive a clock signal (160), holds its outputs until its dynamic input (150) switches value on a subsequent evaluate cycle and at least one other input, which may be a write enable signal (170), changes signal value. In an alternative embodiment (200), the element may not change output values until a reset signal (330) is received during a prior clock cycle.

Abstract: A monotonic dynamic-static pseudo-NMOS logic circuit comprises a dynamic logic circuit having a clock input and having an output configured to be pre-charged high when a low clock signal is provided to the clock input; and a static logic circuit having a clock bar input and having an output configured to be precharged low when a high value of the complement of the clock signal is provided to the clock bar input. A logic gate array comprises a plurality of vertical ultrathin transistors coupled together.

Abstract: A method of interstitial pre-discharge in a circuit includes providing the circuit, which includes a pre-charge node coupled to a clock evaluate node operable to receive a clock evaluate input cycle. Multiple pull-down stacks each including an interstitial node interconnect between the pre-charge node and ground. The interstitial node of each pull-down stack couples to an interstitial discharger device gated to ground. The method further includes operating the circuit in a pre-charge phase of the clock evaluate input cycle, including pre-charging the pre-charge node and the interstitial nodes, and keeping the devices in the pull-down stacks and the interstitial dischargers in a high impedance state. The method additionally includes operating the circuit in an evaluate phase of the clock cycle, including discharging the pre-charge node to ground through a pull-down stack, and discharging the interstitial node to ground through the interstitial discharger device to preclude charge share.

Abstract: A combination multiplexer and tristate circuit. A multiplexer circuit may be configured to receive at least a first data input and a second data input, which are selected by at least a first select signal and a second select signal, respectively. A first circuit is configured to provide an output to an output node responsive to the data input that is selected by the corresponding select signal being active. The multiplexer circuit may further use a tristate circuit, which is also coupled to receive the first select signal and the second select signal. If neither the first select signal nor the second select signal are active, then the tristate circuit is configured to prevent the first circuit from providing an output to the output node.

Abstract: The present invention system and method provides voltage level support for an output target signal (e.g., a dynamic node output signal) that “keeps” the output target signal at a particular voltage level with efficient suspension of the voltage level maintenance or support during an evaluation transition period (e.g., a read operation) of the output target signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a CMOS circuit constituted by electrically connecting an n-type well 2, in which p-channel transistor Tp of the CMOS circuit is set, with a supply line Vdd through switching transistor Tps, and electrically connecting a p-type well 3, in which n-channel transistor Tn of the CMOS circuit is set, with supply line Vss through switching transistor Tns. Thermal runaway due to leakage current can be controlled by turning off switching transistors Tps and Tns and supplying potentials suitable for a test to the n-type well 2 and the p-type well 3 from an external unit when the integrated circuit is being tested. Fluctuations of the latch-up phenomenon and operation speed can be prevented by turning on switching transistors Tps and Tns and setting the n-type well 2 and the p-type well 3 to the voltages Vdd and Vss, respectively.

Abstract: A hierarchical memory structure having memory cells, and sense amplifiers and decoders coupled with the memory cells to form first tier memory module, and subsequent tiers being formed by having (n?1)-tier memory modules, which are coupled with (n)-tier sense amplifiers and (n)-tier decoders. Also provided are a single-ended sense amplifier having sample-and-hold reference, and a charge-share limited-swing-driver sense amplifier; an asynchronously-resettable decoder; a wordline decoder having row redundancy; a redundancy device having redundant memory cells operated by a redundancy controller; a diffusion replica delay circuit; a high-precision delay measurement circuit; and a data transfer bus circuit imposing a limited voltage swing on a data bus. Methods are provided for a write-after-read operation without an interposed precharge cycle, and write-after-write operation with an interposed precharge cycle are provided, either operation being completed in less than one memory access cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for hardening a Null Convention Logic (NCL) circuit against Single Event Upset (SEU) is presented. Placing a resistive element into a feedback loop of the NCL circuit may harden the NCL circuit. A bypass element may be placed in parallel with the resistive element to increase the latching speed of the hardened NCL circuit. Additionally, replacing transistors in an input driver, the feedback loop, and an inverter with transistor stacks, which may include two or more transistors connected in series, may harden the NCL circuit. Further, two NCL gates may be cross-coupled to harden the NCL circuit.

Abstract: A muxed-decoder circuit including multiple complementary input dynamic circuits and an AND logic gate. Each complementary input dynamic circuit includes a complementary P-logic AND dynamic circuit, a complementary N-logic AND dynamic circuit and a pass device. The complementary P-logic AND dynamic circuit has an output coupled to a corresponding output evaluation node, and evaluates bits of an encoded address value corresponding and bits of a digital select value having a logic state for selecting the encoded address. The complementary N-logic AND dynamic circuit has an output coupled to a corresponding preliminary evaluation node, and evaluates inverted bits of the address value and the digital select value. The pass device is coupled between corresponding first and second evaluation nodes and drives the second evaluation node low if the complementary N-logic AND dynamic circuit fails to evaluate. The AND logic gate couples to the output evaluation nodes and provides a corresponding decoded bit.

Abstract: In order to improve the robustness against electrostatic discharge, when power source terminal and ground terminal are open, of a semiconductor device having a first, a second and a third inverter that are connected in a cascade arrangement, the semiconductor device is provided not only with a first input protection circuit for guiding positive electrostatic discharges, that are applied from outside to a signal input terminal, to a power source line, and a second input protection circuit for guiding negative electrostatic discharges, that are applied from outside to the signal input terminal, to a ground line, but also an internal protection circuit for guiding electrostatic discharges that have been guided by the first input protection circuit to the power source line and flow from a P-channel MOS transistor in the second inverter towards the third inverter, to the ground line.