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Article
Publication date: 17 June 2021

Alok Kumar Mishra, Vaithiyanathan D., Yogesh Pal and Baljit Kaur

This work is proposed for low power energy-efficient applications like laptops, mobile phones, and palmtops. In this study, P-channel metal–oxide–semiconductor (PMOS)’s are used…

Abstract

Purpose

This work is proposed for low power energy-efficient applications like laptops, mobile phones, and palmtops. In this study, P-channel metal–oxide–semiconductor (PMOS)’s are used as access transistor in 7 transistors (7 T) Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell, and the theoretical Static Noise Margin (SNM) analysis for the proposed cell is also performed. A cell is designed using 7 T which consists of 4 PMOS and 3 NMOS. In this paper write and hold SNM is addressed and read SNM is also calculated for the proposed 7 T SRAM cell.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have replaced N-channel metal–oxide–semiconductor (NMOS) access transistors with the PMOS access transistors, which results in proper data line recovery and provides the desired coupling. An error is likely to occur, if the read operation is performed too often probably by using the NMOS pass gate. It results in an improper recovery of the data line. Instead, by using PMOS as a pass gate, the time required for read operation can be brought down. As we know the mobility (µ) of the PMOS transistor is low, so the authors have used this property into the proposed design. When a low signal is applied to its control gate, the PMOS transistor come up with the desired coupling, when working as a pass gate.

Findings

Feedback switched transistor is used in the proposed circuit, which plays an important role in the write operation. This transistor is in OFF state and PMOS’s work as access transistor, when the proposed cell operating in read mode. This helps in the reduction of power. This work is simulated using UMC 40 nm technology node in the cadence virtuoso environment. The simulated result shows that, write power saving of 51.54% and 61.17%, hold power saving of 25.68% and 48.93% when compared with reported 7 T and 6 T, respectively.

Originality/value

The proposed 7 T SRAM cell provides proper data line recovery at a lower voltage when PMOS works as the access transistor. Power consumption is very less in this technique and it is best suitable for low power applications.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 48 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 December 2018

Sudhakar Jyothula

The purpose of this paper is to design a low power clock gating technique using Galeor approach by assimilated with replica path pulse triggered flip flop (RP-PTFF).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a low power clock gating technique using Galeor approach by assimilated with replica path pulse triggered flip flop (RP-PTFF).

Design/methodology/approach

In the present scenario, the inclination of battery for portable devices has been increasing tremendously. Therefore, battery life has become an essential element for portable devices. To increase the battery life of portable devices such as communication devices, these have to be made with low power requirements. Hence, power consumption is one of the main issues in CMOS design. To reap a low-power battery with optimum delay constraints, a new methodology is proposed by using the advantages of a low leakage GALEOR approach. By integrating the proposed GALEOR technique with conventional PTFFs, a reduction in power consumption is achieved.

Findings

The design was implemented in mentor graphics EDA tools with 130 nm technology, and the proposed technique is compared with existing conventional PTFFs in terms of power consumption. The average power consumed by the proposed technique (RP-PTFF clock gating with the GALEOR technique) is reduced to 47 per cent compared to conventional PTFF for 100 per cent switching activity.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that RP-PTFF with clock gating using the GALEOR approach is a design that is superior to the conventional PTFFs.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 15 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 June 2020

Kanika Monga, Nitin Chaturvedi and S. Gurunarayanan

Emerging event-driven applications such as the internet-of-things requires an ultra-low power operation to prolong battery life. Shutting down non-functional block during standby…

Abstract

Purpose

Emerging event-driven applications such as the internet-of-things requires an ultra-low power operation to prolong battery life. Shutting down non-functional block during standby mode is an efficient way to save power. However, it results in a loss of system state, and a considerable amount of energy is required to restore the system state. Conventional state retentive flip-flops have an “Always ON” circuitry, which results in large leakage power consumption, especially during long standby periods. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the emerging non-volatile memory element spin transfer torque-magnetic tunnel junction (STT-MTJ) as one the prospective candidate to obtain a low-power solution to state retention.

Design/methodology/approach

The conventional D flip-flop is modified by using STT-MTJ to incorporate non-volatility in slave latch. Two novel designs are proposed in this paper, which can store the data of a flip-flip into the MTJs before power off and restores after power on to resume the operation from pre-standby state.

Findings

A comparison of the proposed design with the conventional state retentive flip-flop shows 100 per cent reduction in leakage power during standby mode with 66-69 per cent active power and 55-64 per cent delay overhead. Also, a comparison with existing MTJ-based non-volatile flip-flop shows a reduction in energy consumption and area overhead. Furthermore, use of a fully depleted-silicon on insulator and fin field-effect transistor substituting a complementary metal oxide semiconductor results in 70-80 per cent reduction in the total power consumption.

Originality/value

Two novel state-retentive D flip-flops using STT-MTJ are proposed in this paper, which aims to obtain zero leakage power during standby mode.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 46 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2000

George K. Chako

Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in…

7300

Abstract

Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in their efforts to develop and market new products. Looks at the issues from different strategic levels such as corporate, international, military and economic. Presents 31 case studies, including the success of Japan in microchips to the failure of Xerox to sell its invention of the Alto personal computer 3 years before Apple: from the success in DNA and Superconductor research to the success of Sunbeam in inventing and marketing food processors: and from the daring invention and production of atomic energy for survival to the successes of sewing machine inventor Howe in co‐operating on patents to compete in markets. Includes 306 questions and answers in order to qualify concepts introduced.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 12 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2017

Anthony Scanlan, Daniel O’Hare, Mark Halton, Vincent O’Brien, Brendan Mullane and Eric Thompson

The purpose of this paper is to present analysis of the feedback predictive encoder-based analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present analysis of the feedback predictive encoder-based analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

Design/methodology/approach

The use of feedback predictive encoder-based ADCs presents an alternative to the traditional two-stage pipeline ADC by replacing the input estimate producing first stage of the pipeline with a predictive loop that also produces an estimate of the input signal.

Findings

The overload condition for feedback predictive encoder ADCs is dependent on input signal amplitude and frequency, system gain and filter order. The limitation on the practical usable filter order is set by limit cycle oscillation. A boundary condition is defined for determination of maximum usable filter order. In a practical implementation of the predictive encoder ADC, the time allocated to the key functions of the gain stage and loop quantizer leads to optimization of the power consumption.

Practical implications

A practical switched capacitor implementation of the predictive encoder-based ADC is proposed. The power consumption of key circuit blocks is investigated.

Originality/value

This paper presents a methodology to optimize the bandwidth of predictive encoder ADCs. The overload and stability conditions may be used to determine the maximum input signal bandwidth for a given loop quantizer. Optimization of power consumption based on the allocation of time between the gain stage and the successive approximation register ADC operation is investigated. The lower bound of power consumption for this architecture is estimated.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 36 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2014

Jung Woong Park, Munkhsuld Gendensuren, Ho-Yong Choi and Nam-soo Kim

– The paper aims to design of dual-mode boost converter with integrated low-voltage control circuit is introduced in this paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to design of dual-mode boost converter with integrated low-voltage control circuit is introduced in this paper. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The converter is operated either with LC filter or with charge pump circuit by the switch control. The control stage with error amplifier, comparator, and oscillator is designed with the supply voltage of 3.3 V and the operating frequency of 5.5 MHz. The compensator circuit exploits a pole compensation for a stable operation.

Findings

The simulation test in 0.35 μm CMOS process shows that the charge pump regulator and DC-DC boost converter are accurately controlled with the variation of number of stages and duty ratio. The output-voltage is obtained to be 6-15 V within the ripple ratio of 5 percent. Maximum power consumption is about 0.65 W.

Originality/value

This dual-mode is useful in the converter with a wide load-current variation. The advantage of the dual-mode converter is that it can be used in either high or low load current with a simple switch control. Furthermore, in charge pump regulator, there is no degradation of output voltage because of the feedback control circuit.

Details

Microelectronics International, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-5362

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2018

Hyung-won Kim, Hyeim Jeong, Junho Yu, Chan-Soo Lee and Nam-Soo Kim

This paper aims to propose a low-power complementary MOS (CMOS) current sensor for control circuit in an integrated DC-DC buck converter.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a low-power complementary MOS (CMOS) current sensor for control circuit in an integrated DC-DC buck converter.

Design/methodology/approach

The integrated DC-DC converter, which is composed of feedback control circuit and power block, is designed with 0.35-µm CMOS process. Current sensor in the control circuit is integrated with sense-FET and voltage-follower circuits to reduce power consumption and improve its sensing accuracy. In the current-sensing circuit, the size ratio of the power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) to the sensing transistor (K) is 1,000, and a current-mirror is used for a voltage follower. N-channel MOS acts as a switching device in the current-sensing circuit, where the sensing FET is in parallel with the power MOSFET. The amplifier and comparator are designed to obtain a high gain and a fast transient time.

Findings

Experiment shows that the current sensor is operated with accuracy of more than 85 per cent, and the transient time of the error amplifier is controlled within 100 µs. The sensing current is in the range of a few hundred µA at a frequency of 0.6-2 MHz and an input voltage of 3-5 V. The output voltage is obtained as expected with the ripple ratio within 5 per cent.

Originality/value

The proposed current sensor in DC-DC converter provides an accurately sensed inductor current with a significant reduction in power consumption in the range of 0.2 mW. High-accuracy regulation is obtained using the proposed current sensor. As the sensor utilizes simple switch-type voltage follower and sense-FET, it can be widely applied to other low-power applications such as high-frequency oscillator and over-current protection circuit.

Details

Microelectronics International, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-5362

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1965

J.R. Abrahams

The Lan‐Alog Four computer is one of a family of small computers being designed by the staff at Enfield College of Technology, in consultation with other colleges and schools. The…

Abstract

The Lan‐Alog Four computer is one of a family of small computers being designed by the staff at Enfield College of Technology, in consultation with other colleges and schools. The first computer teaching aid was described briefly in TECHNICAL EDUCATION last year (page 301, June 1964 issue), and in more detail elsewhere. These computer units are based on circuits using transistors, operating at ±15V, and the maximum number of common components is employed throughout the range. One aim of the design is to involve the student fully in the use of the equipment, and considerable attention has therefore been paid to the achievement of clear layout, case of programming, and rugged, student‐proof, construction.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 7 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Article
Publication date: 26 March 2021

Abhay Sanjay Vidhyadharan and Sanjay Vidhyadharan

Tunnel field effect transistors (TFETs) have significantly steeper sub-threshold slope (24–30 mv/decade), as compared with the conventional metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect…

Abstract

Purpose

Tunnel field effect transistors (TFETs) have significantly steeper sub-threshold slope (24–30 mv/decade), as compared with the conventional metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), which have a sub-threshold slope of 60 mv/decade at room temperature. The steep sub-threshold slope of TFETs enables a much faster switching, making TFETs a better option than MOSFETs for low-voltage VLSI applications. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel hetero-junction TFET-based Schmitt triggers, which outperform the conventional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) Schmitt triggers at low power supply voltage levels.

Design/methodology/approach

The conventional Schmitt trigger has been implemented with both MOSFETs and HTFETs for operation at a low-voltage level of 0.4 V and a target hysteresis width of 100 mV. Simulation results have indicated that the HTFET-based Schmitt trigger not only has significantly lower delays but also consumes lesser power as compared to the CMOS-based Schmitt trigger. The limitations of the conventional Schmitt trigger design have been analysed, and improved CMOS and CMOS–HTFET hybrid Schmitt trigger designs have been presented.

Findings

The conventional Schmitt trigger implemented with HTFETs has 99.9% lower propagation delay (29ps) and 41.2% lesser power requirement (4.7 nW) than the analogous CMOS Schmitt trigger, which has a delay of 36 ns and consumes 8 nW of power. An improved Schmitt trigger design has been proposed which has a transistor count of only six as compared to the eight transistors required in the conventional design. The proposed improved Schmitt trigger design, when implemented with only CMOS devices enable a reduction of power delay product (PDP) by 98.4% with respect to the CMOS conventional Schmitt trigger design. The proposed CMOS–HTFET hybrid Schmitt trigger further helps in decreasing the delay of the improved CMOS-only Schmitt trigger by 70% and PDP by 21%.

Originality/value

The unique advantage of very steep sub-threshold slope of HTFETs has been used to improve the performance of the conventional Schmitt trigger circuit. Novel CMOS-only and CMOS–HTFET hybrid improved Schmitt trigger designs have been proposed which requires lesser number of transistors (saving 70% chip area) for implementation and has significantly lower delays and power requirement than the conventional designs.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 18 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Neil Naudé and Saurabh Sinha

This work aims to improve upon the linearity of integrated CMOS current sensors used in switch mode power supply topologies, using a low-cost and low-voltage (less than 1.2 V…

Abstract

Purpose

This work aims to improve upon the linearity of integrated CMOS current sensors used in switch mode power supply topologies, using a low-cost and low-voltage (less than 1.2 V) CMOS technology node. Improved sensor accuracy contributes to efficiency in switched supplies by reducing measurement errors when it is integrated with closed-loop control.

Design/methodology/approach

Integrated current-sensing methods were investigated and CMOS solutions were prioritized. These solutions were implemented and characterized in the desired process and shortcomings were identified. A theoretical analysis accompanied by simulated tests was used to refine improvements which were prototyped. The current sensor prototypes were fabricated and tested.

Findings

Measured and simulated results are presented which show improved linearity in current sensor outputs. Techniques borrowed from analog amplifier design can be used to improve the dynamic range and linearity of current-steered CMOS pairs for measuring current. A current sensor with a gain of 5 V/A operating in a 10 MHz switch mode supply environment is demonstrated.

Originality/value

This paper proposes an alternative approach to creating suitable bias conditions for linearity in a SenseFET topology. The proposed method is compact and architecturally simple in comparison to other techniques.

Details

Microelectronics International, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-5362

Keywords

1 – 10 of 246