Transition aware global signaling (TAGS)

Abstract

We propose a new receiver to reduce the number of repeaters used in global wiring. The receiver stores the next state of the line while quiet. Upon detection of a transition at the end of the line the output is temporarily driven by the stored next state. Transitions at the output of the receiver are much faster than at the end of the line since they are generated locally. Using the TAGS receiver we can run a 15 mm line (180 nm node) at 800 MHz with no repeaters. The same line requires three repeaters with a traditional receiver and consumed more power and area. The TAGS receiver also outperforms a standard inverter at the 70 nm technology node. A noise analysis at the two technology nodes shows that the receiver maintains good functional noise immunity.