Level-Shifter-Less Approach for Multi-VDD SoC Design to Employ Body Bias Control in FD-SOI
Abstract
Level shifters to convert signal swings from low-voltage (VDDL) to high-voltage (VDDH) are required at the boundary of voltage domains in SoC employing multiple supply voltages. However, they cost delay, power and area in addition to increasing the complexity of physical design. This paper proposes a level-shifter-less (LSL) approach to use a reverse body bias (RBB) at pMOS transistors in the VDDH domain and superior threshold-voltage modulation capability of FD-SOI devices. Simulation results and measurements of a fabricated chip showed that the chip applying the LSL approach correctly operates at VDDL = 0.6 V and VDDH = 1.2 V under 2 V pMOS RBB while suppressing the static dc current in the VDDH domain. We also demonstrate that adaptive RBB control for pMOS can maintain effectiveness of this approach under process and temperature variations.
Domains
Computer Science [cs]Origin | Files produced by the author(s) |
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