Pub Date : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3586748
Wenhao Wu;Fei Yuan;Yushi Zhou
This paper presents a sub-threshold all-digital delay-locked loop (DLL) for the generation of the timing signals of low-power low-data-rate successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters. The delay line of the DLL consists of a set of cascaded static inverters with its large per-stage-delay obtained by powering the delay with an exceedingly low supply voltage. The per-stage-delay of the delay line is adjusted by varying the supply voltage provided by a sub-threshold voltage generator. Voltage recovery blocks consisting of cascaded static inverters with different supply voltages are used to recover the low voltage swing of the delay line to the nominal voltage swing of the DLL. High-voltage-threshold pMOS transistors are used to minimize the short-circuit-induced power consumption of voltage-recovering inverters. The proposed DLL is designed in a TSMC 130 nm 1.2 V CMOS technology with a reduced supply voltage of 0.6 V and analyzed using Spectre with BSIM3v3 device models. Simulation results show the DLL locks to a $0sim 0.6$ V 100 kHz 50% duty cycle external timing reference at FF/0.6V/-$20^{o}$ C, TT/0.6V/$27^{o}$ C, and SS/0.6V/$60^{o}$ C in approximately 7 cycles of the timing reference with no accumulated static phase errors. The DLL occupies an area of 0.00559 mm2, offers 0.35% normalized root-mean-square jitter, and consumes 92 nW.
本文提出了一种用于低功率低数据率逐次逼近寄存器模数转换器时序信号生成的亚阈值全数字锁延环。DLL的延迟线由一组级联的静态逆变器组成,通过极低的供电电压为延迟供电而获得较大的每级延迟。延迟线的每级延迟通过改变由亚阈值电压发生器提供的电源电压来调节。电压恢复模块由具有不同电源电压的级联静态逆变器组成,用于将延迟线的低电压摆幅恢复到DLL的标称电压摆幅。采用高压阈值pMOS晶体管来降低电压恢复逆变器的短路引起的功耗。该DLL采用台积电130 nm 1.2 V CMOS技术设计,电源电压降低至0.6 V,并使用Spectre与BSIM3v3器件模型进行分析。仿真结果表明,DLL在大约7个周期内锁定到FF/0.6V/- $20^{o}$ C、TT/0.6V/ $27^{o}$ C和SS/0.6V/ $60^{o}$ C的$0sim /0.6 $ V 100 kHz 50%占空比外部定时基准,且无累积静态相位误差。DLL占地0.00559 mm2,提供0.35%的标准化均方根抖动,消耗92 nW。
{"title":"Sub-Threshold All-Digital DLL for Clock Generation of SAR ADC","authors":"Wenhao Wu;Fei Yuan;Yushi Zhou","doi":"10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3586748","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3586748","url":null,"abstract":"This paper presents a sub-threshold all-digital delay-locked loop (DLL) for the generation of the timing signals of low-power low-data-rate successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters. The delay line of the DLL consists of a set of cascaded static inverters with its large per-stage-delay obtained by powering the delay with an exceedingly low supply voltage. The per-stage-delay of the delay line is adjusted by varying the supply voltage provided by a sub-threshold voltage generator. Voltage recovery blocks consisting of cascaded static inverters with different supply voltages are used to recover the low voltage swing of the delay line to the nominal voltage swing of the DLL. High-voltage-threshold pMOS transistors are used to minimize the short-circuit-induced power consumption of voltage-recovering inverters. The proposed DLL is designed in a TSMC 130 nm 1.2 V CMOS technology with a reduced supply voltage of 0.6 V and analyzed using Spectre with BSIM3v3 device models. Simulation results show the DLL locks to a <inline-formula> <tex-math>$0sim 0.6$ </tex-math></inline-formula> V 100 kHz 50% duty cycle external timing reference at FF/0.6V/-<inline-formula> <tex-math>$20^{o}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>C, TT/0.6V/<inline-formula> <tex-math>$27^{o}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>C, and SS/0.6V/<inline-formula> <tex-math>$60^{o}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>C in approximately 7 cycles of the timing reference with no accumulated static phase errors. The DLL occupies an area of 0.00559 mm2, offers 0.35% normalized root-mean-square jitter, and consumes 92 nW.","PeriodicalId":93442,"journal":{"name":"IEEE open journal of circuits and systems","volume":"6 ","pages":"270-282"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11106517","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144758379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3583268
Masoud Askariraad;Stefano Gregori
This paper presents static and dynamic models for linear and exponential integrated charge pumps in both step-up and step-down modes. The static models are used to compare the slow-switching and fast-switching output resistance of various configurations, considering optimized and non-optimized capacitors and switches. In the dynamic models, the self-loading capacitance is determined using a simpler approach than previous works, allowing for a more straightforward comparison of the start-up time and charging efficiency. To highlight the differences between linear and exponential charge pumps, the working voltages of capacitors and switches are calculated, with these expressions guiding the selection of the most appropriate devices for each configuration. Additionally, parasitic capacitances and leakage currents are modeled and analyzed across the circuit configurations, and their impact on overall efficiency is assessed. The procedure for optimally sizing capacitors and switches using different device types is then discussed. Finally, two design examples in 65-nm CMOS technology are presented to validate the models, demonstrate design procedures, and highlight the advantages and limitations of practical implementations of each circuit.
{"title":"Comparison and Design of Linear and Exponential Integrated Charge Pumps","authors":"Masoud Askariraad;Stefano Gregori","doi":"10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3583268","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3583268","url":null,"abstract":"This paper presents static and dynamic models for linear and exponential integrated charge pumps in both step-up and step-down modes. The static models are used to compare the slow-switching and fast-switching output resistance of various configurations, considering optimized and non-optimized capacitors and switches. In the dynamic models, the self-loading capacitance is determined using a simpler approach than previous works, allowing for a more straightforward comparison of the start-up time and charging efficiency. To highlight the differences between linear and exponential charge pumps, the working voltages of capacitors and switches are calculated, with these expressions guiding the selection of the most appropriate devices for each configuration. Additionally, parasitic capacitances and leakage currents are modeled and analyzed across the circuit configurations, and their impact on overall efficiency is assessed. The procedure for optimally sizing capacitors and switches using different device types is then discussed. Finally, two design examples in 65-nm CMOS technology are presented to validate the models, demonstrate design procedures, and highlight the advantages and limitations of practical implementations of each circuit.","PeriodicalId":93442,"journal":{"name":"IEEE open journal of circuits and systems","volume":"6 ","pages":"295-312"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11106932","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144758332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3565921
Fei Yuan
This paper provides a critical review and the classification of comparators in low-power low-data-rate (1 kS/s~1.5 MS/s) successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters (SAR ADCs). Both voltage-domain and time-domain comparators are studied and their pros and cons are examined. The architecture, comparison time, and power consumption of five widely used voltage-domain dynamic comparators are studied first. It is followed with an investigation of kickback in comparators. We show although clock kickback is common-mode, the impedance asymmetry of the digital-to-analog converters (DACs) of SAR ADCs arising from the different resistances of DAC switches gives rise to a differential clock kickback that occurs earlier than output kickback with more strength hence dictating kickback in dynamic comparators. If the strength and duration of clock kickback are sufficiently large, the comparator will yield an erroneous output. The dependence of clock kickback on the input of SAR ADCs in the least significant bit (LSB) conversion is also investigated. The offset voltage of the dynamic comparators and its dependence on supply voltage are investigated, and the minimum tuning bits of digitally tuned offset compensation capacitor arrays is obtained. The noise of dynamic comparators is also investigated and design trade-offs between noise, power consumption, kickback, and the loading of the comparator on DAC are examined. The extensive simulation results of the comparators designed in a TSMC 130 nm 1.2 V CMOS technologies with reduced supply voltages and analyzed using Spectre from Cadence Design Systems with BSIM 3.3 device models are provided.
{"title":"A Comparative Study of Dynamic Comparators for Low-Power Successive Approximation ADC","authors":"Fei Yuan","doi":"10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3565921","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3565921","url":null,"abstract":"This paper provides a critical review and the classification of comparators in low-power low-data-rate (1 kS/s~1.5 MS/s) successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters (SAR ADCs). Both voltage-domain and time-domain comparators are studied and their pros and cons are examined. The architecture, comparison time, and power consumption of five widely used voltage-domain dynamic comparators are studied first. It is followed with an investigation of kickback in comparators. We show although clock kickback is common-mode, the impedance asymmetry of the digital-to-analog converters (DACs) of SAR ADCs arising from the different resistances of DAC switches gives rise to a differential clock kickback that occurs earlier than output kickback with more strength hence dictating kickback in dynamic comparators. If the strength and duration of clock kickback are sufficiently large, the comparator will yield an erroneous output. The dependence of clock kickback on the input of SAR ADCs in the least significant bit (LSB) conversion is also investigated. The offset voltage of the dynamic comparators and its dependence on supply voltage are investigated, and the minimum tuning bits of digitally tuned offset compensation capacitor arrays is obtained. The noise of dynamic comparators is also investigated and design trade-offs between noise, power consumption, kickback, and the loading of the comparator on DAC are examined. The extensive simulation results of the comparators designed in a TSMC 130 nm 1.2 V CMOS technologies with reduced supply voltages and analyzed using Spectre from Cadence Design Systems with BSIM 3.3 device models are provided.","PeriodicalId":93442,"journal":{"name":"IEEE open journal of circuits and systems","volume":"6 ","pages":"241-256"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11106380","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144758424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3585654
Sai Sanjeet;Sanchari Das;Shiuh-Hua Wood Chiang;Masahiro Fujita;Bibhu Datta Datta
The deployment of digitally-trained analog Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) presents a promising approach for energy-efficient edge computing. However, training such networks is not trivial, and discrepancies between digital training models and their continuous-time analog implementations pose challenges in validation and performance verification. This paper aims to bridge the gap between the design of analog neuron models and training SNNs with the neuron model, along with a time-domain verification framework that enables circuit designers to validate their analog SNN implementations in a simulation environment resembling industry-standard EDA tools such as Cadence and Synopsys while offering significantly faster execution. This work focuses on a ring oscillator-based neuron model, which realizes the leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neuron. The design of the ring oscillator-based neuron is discussed, and the neuron model is digitized using the bilinear transform to enable training. The trained network is used to classify the MNIST dataset with an accuracy of 97.35% and the Iris dataset with an accuracy of 93.33%. We further introduce a time-domain verification framework based on Simulink to validate the trained networks. We verify our approach by comparing digitally-trained PyTorch models against analog implementations simulated using our framework on the Iris dataset, revealing accuracy discrepancies between the analog and digital counterparts, along with insights into the cause of such discrepancies, which would have been difficult to simulate with SPICE simulators. Additionally, we verify the generated Simulink models against Verilog-A models simulated in Cadence Spectre, demonstrating that our framework produces identical outputs while achieving an order-of-magnitude speedup. By providing an efficient, accurate, and accessible verification platform, our framework bridges the gap between digital training and analog hardware verification, facilitating the development of robust, high-performance SNNs for edge applications.
{"title":"Systematic Design of Ring VCO-Based SNN—Translating Training Parameters to Circuits","authors":"Sai Sanjeet;Sanchari Das;Shiuh-Hua Wood Chiang;Masahiro Fujita;Bibhu Datta Datta","doi":"10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3585654","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3585654","url":null,"abstract":"The deployment of digitally-trained analog Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) presents a promising approach for energy-efficient edge computing. However, training such networks is not trivial, and discrepancies between digital training models and their continuous-time analog implementations pose challenges in validation and performance verification. This paper aims to bridge the gap between the design of analog neuron models and training SNNs with the neuron model, along with a time-domain verification framework that enables circuit designers to validate their analog SNN implementations in a simulation environment resembling industry-standard EDA tools such as Cadence and Synopsys while offering significantly faster execution. This work focuses on a ring oscillator-based neuron model, which realizes the leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neuron. The design of the ring oscillator-based neuron is discussed, and the neuron model is digitized using the bilinear transform to enable training. The trained network is used to classify the MNIST dataset with an accuracy of 97.35% and the Iris dataset with an accuracy of 93.33%. We further introduce a time-domain verification framework based on Simulink to validate the trained networks. We verify our approach by comparing digitally-trained PyTorch models against analog implementations simulated using our framework on the Iris dataset, revealing accuracy discrepancies between the analog and digital counterparts, along with insights into the cause of such discrepancies, which would have been difficult to simulate with SPICE simulators. Additionally, we verify the generated Simulink models against Verilog-A models simulated in Cadence Spectre, demonstrating that our framework produces identical outputs while achieving an order-of-magnitude speedup. By providing an efficient, accurate, and accessible verification platform, our framework bridges the gap between digital training and analog hardware verification, facilitating the development of robust, high-performance SNNs for edge applications.","PeriodicalId":93442,"journal":{"name":"IEEE open journal of circuits and systems","volume":"6 ","pages":"283-294"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11106930","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144758377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-01DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3549442
Seyedmohamadjavad Motaman;Sarah S. Sharif;Yaser M. Banad
Enhancing power efficiency and performance in neuromorphic computing systems is critical for next-generation artificial intelligence applications. We propose the Nanoscale Side-contacted Field Effect Diode (S-FED)—a novel solution that significantly lowers power usage and improves circuit speed—enabling efficient neuron circuit design. Our proposed integrate-and-fire (IF) neuron model demonstrates remarkable performance metrics: 44 nW power consumption (85% lower than current designs), 0.964 fJ energy per spike (36% improvement over state-of-the-art), and a spiking frequency ranging from 20 to 100 MHz. Moreover, we show how to bias the circuit to enable both deterministic and stochastic operation, mimicking key computational features of biological neurons. The stochastic behavior can be precisely controlled through reference voltage modulation, achieving firing probabilities from 0% to 100% and enabling probabilistic computing capabilities. The architecture exhibits robust stability across process (channel length and doping)-voltage-temperature (PVT) variations, maintaining consistent performance with less than 7% spike amplitude variation for channel lengths from 7.5nm to 15nm, doping from $5times 10{^{{20}}}$ cm${}^ - 3 $ to $1times 10{^{{2}}} {^{{1}}}$ cm${}^ - 3 $ , supply voltages from 0.8V to 1.2V, and temperatures spanning −40°C to 120°C. The model features tunable thresholds (0.8V to 1.4V) and reliable operation across input spike pulse widths from 0.5 ns to 2 ns. This advancement in neuromorphic hardware paves the way for more efficient brain-inspired computing systems.
提高神经形态计算系统的功率效率和性能对于下一代人工智能应用至关重要。我们提出了纳米级侧接触场效应二极管(S-FED),这是一种新颖的解决方案,可显着降低功耗并提高电路速度,从而实现高效的神经元电路设计。我们提出的IF神经元模型展示了卓越的性能指标:44 nW功耗(比当前设计低85%),每尖峰能量0.964 fJ(比最先进的技术提高36%),尖峰频率范围从20到100 MHz。此外,我们展示了如何偏置电路以实现确定性和随机操作,模拟生物神经元的关键计算特征。通过参考电压调制可以精确控制随机行为,实现从0%到100%的发射概率,并实现概率计算能力。该架构在整个过程(通道长度和掺杂)电压温度(PVT)变化中表现出强大的稳定性,在通道长度从7.5nm到15nm,掺杂从$5乘以10{^{{20}}}$ cm ${}^ - 3 $到$1乘以10{^{{2}}}{^{{1}}}$ cm ${}}^ - 3 $,电源电压从0.8V到1.2V,温度范围从- 40°C到120°C时,保持稳定的性能,峰值幅度变化小于7%。该模型具有可调阈值(0.8V至1.4V)和可靠的工作跨越输入尖峰脉冲宽度从0.5 ns到2 ns。神经形态硬件的这一进步为更高效的大脑启发计算系统铺平了道路。
{"title":"Biologically-Inspired, Ultra-Low Power, and High-Speed Integrate-and-Fire Neuron Circuit With Stochastic Behavior Using Nanoscale Side-Contacted Field Effect Diode Technology","authors":"Seyedmohamadjavad Motaman;Sarah S. Sharif;Yaser M. Banad","doi":"10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3549442","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3549442","url":null,"abstract":"Enhancing power efficiency and performance in neuromorphic computing systems is critical for next-generation artificial intelligence applications. We propose the Nanoscale Side-contacted Field Effect Diode (S-FED)—a novel solution that significantly lowers power usage and improves circuit speed—enabling efficient neuron circuit design. Our proposed integrate-and-fire (IF) neuron model demonstrates remarkable performance metrics: 44 nW power consumption (85% lower than current designs), 0.964 fJ energy per spike (36% improvement over state-of-the-art), and a spiking frequency ranging from 20 to 100 MHz. Moreover, we show how to bias the circuit to enable both deterministic and stochastic operation, mimicking key computational features of biological neurons. The stochastic behavior can be precisely controlled through reference voltage modulation, achieving firing probabilities from 0% to 100% and enabling probabilistic computing capabilities. The architecture exhibits robust stability across process (channel length and doping)-voltage-temperature (PVT) variations, maintaining consistent performance with less than 7% spike amplitude variation for channel lengths from 7.5nm to 15nm, doping from <inline-formula> <tex-math>$5times 10{^{{20}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> cm<inline-formula> <tex-math>${}^ - 3 $ </tex-math></inline-formula> to <inline-formula> <tex-math>$1times 10{^{{2}}} {^{{1}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> cm<inline-formula> <tex-math>${}^ - 3 $ </tex-math></inline-formula>, supply voltages from 0.8V to 1.2V, and temperatures spanning −40°C to 120°C. The model features tunable thresholds (0.8V to 1.4V) and reliable operation across input spike pulse widths from 0.5 ns to 2 ns. This advancement in neuromorphic hardware paves the way for more efficient brain-inspired computing systems.","PeriodicalId":93442,"journal":{"name":"IEEE open journal of circuits and systems","volume":"6 ","pages":"217-227"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11106515","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144758378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This paper presents a lightweight hybrid random number generator (HRNG), implemented and evaluated on a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The proposed design enhances security and randomness by synergizing jitter and metastability using a feedforward topology, which achieves a near-perfect Shannon entropy. Moreover, it is validated using three distinct entropy metrics, guaranteeing statistically robust random numbers for security-sensitive applications. In addition to entropy evaluations, this design is also rigorously analyzed using multiple industry-standard randomness test suites. Beyond the FPGA implementation, this work presents performance metrics, including area utilization, power consumption, maximum frequency, and energy usage per random bit, which are synthesized across three different technology nodes in Synopsys Design Compiler (SDC). All of the results from the FPGA and the SDC implementations demonstrate significant improvements. These results confirm the design’s scalability to advance technology nodes and its suitability for applications that require secure and reliable random number generation, such as resource-efficient Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
{"title":"A Lightweight Hybrid Random Number Generator With Dynamic Entropy Injection","authors":"Sonia Akter;Shelby Williams;Prosen Kirtonia;Magdy Bayoumi;Kasem Khalil","doi":"10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3582975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3582975","url":null,"abstract":"This paper presents a lightweight hybrid random number generator (HRNG), implemented and evaluated on a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The proposed design enhances security and randomness by synergizing jitter and metastability using a feedforward topology, which achieves a near-perfect Shannon entropy. Moreover, it is validated using three distinct entropy metrics, guaranteeing statistically robust random numbers for security-sensitive applications. In addition to entropy evaluations, this design is also rigorously analyzed using multiple industry-standard randomness test suites. Beyond the FPGA implementation, this work presents performance metrics, including area utilization, power consumption, maximum frequency, and energy usage per random bit, which are synthesized across three different technology nodes in Synopsys Design Compiler (SDC). All of the results from the FPGA and the SDC implementations demonstrate significant improvements. These results confirm the design’s scalability to advance technology nodes and its suitability for applications that require secure and reliable random number generation, such as resource-efficient Internet of Things (IoT) devices.","PeriodicalId":93442,"journal":{"name":"IEEE open journal of circuits and systems","volume":"6 ","pages":"257-269"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11106931","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144758423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-31DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3594022
Katsutoshi Ito;Yusaku Shiotsu;Satoshi Sugahara
A new ultralow-voltage retention (ULVR) SRAM cell is proposed, which can highly enhance the noise margin (NM) for the ULVR mode at ultralow voltages $(V_{mathrm { UL}})$ . This 8T cell is configured with new-type Schmitt-trigger (ST) inverters that can nearly maximize the hysteresis width of the voltage transfer characteristics (VTC). The design methodology of the cell is developed with careful consideration for the process variation of the constituent transistors, and the optimally designed cell can ensure sufficient NMs that satisfy the $6sigma $ failure probability for all the operating modes. In particular, for the ULVR mode at $V_{mathrm { UL}} {=} 0.2$ V, the proposed 8T cell can exhibit much stronger noise immunity than previously proposed various low-voltage cells. In addition, the proposed 8T cell can achieve stable data retention even at $V_{mathrm { UL}} {=} 0.16$ V with sufficient noise immunity satisfying the $6sigma $ failure probability. An 8kB ULVR-SRAM macro configured with the proposed-8T-cell array is also developed. Using the ULVR mode, the macro can reduce the standby power by ~93% compared with the standby mode of a conventional 6T-SRAM macro.
{"title":"A New Ultralow-Voltage Retention SRAM Cell Enhancing Noise Immunity","authors":"Katsutoshi Ito;Yusaku Shiotsu;Satoshi Sugahara","doi":"10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3594022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3594022","url":null,"abstract":"A new ultralow-voltage retention (ULVR) SRAM cell is proposed, which can highly enhance the noise margin (NM) for the ULVR mode at ultralow voltages <inline-formula> <tex-math>$(V_{mathrm { UL}})$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. This 8T cell is configured with new-type Schmitt-trigger (ST) inverters that can nearly maximize the hysteresis width of the voltage transfer characteristics (VTC). The design methodology of the cell is developed with careful consideration for the process variation of the constituent transistors, and the optimally designed cell can ensure sufficient NMs that satisfy the <inline-formula> <tex-math>$6sigma $ </tex-math></inline-formula> failure probability for all the operating modes. In particular, for the ULVR mode at <inline-formula> <tex-math>$V_{mathrm { UL}} {=} 0.2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> V, the proposed 8T cell can exhibit much stronger noise immunity than previously proposed various low-voltage cells. In addition, the proposed 8T cell can achieve stable data retention even at <inline-formula> <tex-math>$V_{mathrm { UL}} {=} 0.16$ </tex-math></inline-formula> V with sufficient noise immunity satisfying the <inline-formula> <tex-math>$6sigma $ </tex-math></inline-formula> failure probability. An 8kB ULVR-SRAM macro configured with the proposed-8T-cell array is also developed. Using the ULVR mode, the macro can reduce the standby power by ~93% compared with the standby mode of a conventional 6T-SRAM macro.","PeriodicalId":93442,"journal":{"name":"IEEE open journal of circuits and systems","volume":"6 ","pages":"370-382"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11106369","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144990264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3592773
Konstantinos Metaxas;Paul P. Sotiriadis;Yannis Kominis
This work introduces a rigorous time-domain approach for studying the complex synchronization dynamics of periodically forced electronic oscillators, based on the well-developed theories of Phase-Amplitude reduction via the Koopman operator and dynamics of circle maps. The paper is structured in two parts. Part I presents the theoretical foundation and the numerical application of the theory. Under suitable forcing, the reduced equations simplify to a one-dimensional phase model—represented by a circle map—whose bifurcations are determined by the Phase Response Curves. This map efficiently captures the oscillator’s dynamics and enables accurate computation of resonance regions in the forcing parameter space. The influence of global isochron geometry on the map validates their critical role in phase locking, extending previous results in the theory of electronic oscillators. For more general forcing scenarios, the full Phase-Amplitude reduction effectively describes the synchronization dynamics. The developed time-domain approach demonstrates that the same limit cycle oscillator can produce periodic output with tunable spectral characteristics, operating as a frequency divider, or function as a chaotic or quasiperiodic signal generator, depending on the driving signal. As an illustrative example, the synchronization dynamics of differential LC oscillators is studied in detail. Part II is dedicated to confirming the validity, generality, and robustness of the introduced approach, which is first presented as a detailed step-by-step methodology, suitable for direct application to any oscillator. The Colpitts and ring oscillators are analyzed theoretically, and their resonance diagrams are numerically computed, following the approach established in Part I. Simulations of realistically implemented models in the Cadence IC Suite show that both synchronized and chaotic/quasiperiodic states are accurately predicted by the reduced circle map. Notably, despite the use of simplified analytical models, the theoretical framework effectively captures the qualitative behavior observed in simulation. The consistency between the theoretical and simulation results confirms both the robustness and general applicability of the proposed approach.
这项工作介绍了一种严格的时域方法来研究周期性强迫电子振荡器的复杂同步动力学,该方法基于通过Koopman算子和圆映射动力学的相幅减少理论。本文的结构分为两部分。第一部分介绍了该理论的理论基础和数值应用。在适当的强迫作用下,将简化方程简化为一个由相位响应曲线决定分岔的一维相位模型,该模型用圆图表示。该图有效地捕获了振荡器的动力学,并能够在强迫参数空间中精确计算共振区域。全局等时线几何对图的影响验证了它们在锁相中的关键作用,扩展了电子振荡器理论中的先前结果。对于更一般的强迫情景,完整的相位幅度减小有效地描述了同步动力学。所开发的时域方法表明,相同的极限环振荡器可以产生具有可调谐频谱特性的周期输出,作为分频器,或作为混沌或准周期信号发生器,取决于驱动信号。作为一个示例,详细研究了差分LC振荡器的同步动力学。第二部分致力于确认所引入方法的有效性,通用性和鲁棒性,该方法首先作为详细的一步一步的方法提出,适用于直接应用于任何振荡器。根据第一部分建立的方法,对Colpitts和环振子进行了理论分析,并对它们的谐振图进行了数值计算。Cadence IC Suite中实际实现模型的仿真表明,通过简化的圆映射可以准确地预测同步和混沌/准周期状态。值得注意的是,尽管使用了简化的分析模型,理论框架有效地捕获了在模拟中观察到的定性行为。理论和仿真结果的一致性验证了所提方法的鲁棒性和通用性。
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Pub Date : 2025-07-25DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3592750
Konstantinos Metaxas;Nikolaos P. Eleftheriou;Yannis Kominis;Paul P. Sotiriadis
This work introduces a rigorous time-domain approach for studying the complex synchronization dynamics of periodically forced electronic oscillators, based on the well-developed theories of Phase-Amplitude reduction via the Koopman operator and dynamics of circle maps. The paper is structured in two parts. Part I presents the theoretical foundation and the numerical application of the theory. Under suitable forcing, the reduced equations simplify to a one-dimensional phase model—represented by a circle map—whose bifurcations are determined by the Phase Response Curves. This map efficiently captures the oscillator’s dynamics and enables accurate computation of resonance regions in the forcing parameter space. The influence of global isochron geometry on the map validates their critical role in phase locking, extending previous results in the theory of electronic oscillators. For more general forcing scenarios, the full Phase-Amplitude reduction effectively describes the synchronization dynamics. The developed time-domain approach demonstrates that the same limit cycle oscillator can produce periodic output with tunable spectral characteristics, operating as a frequency divider, or function as a chaotic or quasiperiodic signal generator, depending on the driving signal. As an illustrative example, the synchronization dynamics of differential LC oscillators is studied in detail. Part II is dedicated to confirming the validity, generality, and robustness of the introduced approach, which is first presented as a detailed step-by-step methodology, suitable for direct application to any oscillator. The Colpitts and ring oscillators are analyzed theoretically, and their resonance diagrams are numerically computed, following the approach established in Part I. Simulations of realistically implemented models in the Cadence IC Suite show that both synchronized and chaotic/quasiperiodic states are accurately predicted by the reduced circle map. Notably, despite the use of simplified analytical models, the theoretical framework effectively captures the qualitative behavior observed in simulation. The consistency between the theoretical and simulation results confirms both the robustness and general applicability of the proposed approach.
这项工作介绍了一种严格的时域方法来研究周期性强迫电子振荡器的复杂同步动力学,该方法基于通过Koopman算子和圆映射动力学的相幅减少理论。本文的结构分为两部分。第一部分介绍了该理论的理论基础和数值应用。在适当的强迫作用下,将简化方程简化为一个由相位响应曲线决定分岔的一维相位模型,该模型用圆图表示。该图有效地捕获了振荡器的动力学,并能够在强迫参数空间中精确计算共振区域。全局等时线几何对图的影响验证了它们在锁相中的关键作用,扩展了电子振荡器理论中的先前结果。对于更一般的强迫情景,完整的相位幅度减小有效地描述了同步动力学。所开发的时域方法表明,相同的极限环振荡器可以产生具有可调谐频谱特性的周期输出,作为分频器,或作为混沌或准周期信号发生器,取决于驱动信号。作为一个示例,详细研究了差分LC振荡器的同步动力学。第二部分致力于确认所引入方法的有效性,通用性和鲁棒性,该方法首先作为详细的一步一步的方法提出,适用于直接应用于任何振荡器。根据第一部分建立的方法,对Colpitts和环振子进行了理论分析,并对它们的谐振图进行了数值计算。Cadence IC Suite中实际实现模型的仿真表明,通过简化的圆映射可以准确地预测同步和混沌/准周期状态。值得注意的是,尽管使用了简化的分析模型,理论框架有效地捕获了在模拟中观察到的定性行为。理论和仿真结果的一致性验证了所提方法的鲁棒性和通用性。
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Pub Date : 2025-07-22DOI: 10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3591136
Haesung Jung;Quang Dang Truong;Hanho Lee
The advent of quantum computers, with their immense computational potential, poses significant threats to traditional cryptographic systems. In response, NIST announced the quantum-resistant Module Lattice-based Key Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM) standard in 2024. This paper presents an efficient hardware architecture for the ML-KEM scheme, capable of supporting all algorithms and flexibly adapting to different security levels. The proposed design achieves a balance between high performance and low hardware resource consumption, making it suitable for deployment across various FPGA platforms. Key innovations include the Unified Polynomial Arithmetic Module (UniPAM), capable of handling all polynomial arithmetic operations, and an optimized hash module for the SHA-3 variants integral to ML-KEM. Additionally, the design introduces an efficient timing diagram and conflict-free memory management strategy, enabling seamless parallelism and reducing execution time while minimizing hardware resource consumption. Furthermore, the implementation incorporates several methods to effectively mitigate side-channel attacks, a common concern in hardware-based cryptosystem deployments. The proposed architecture is validated through implementation on an Artix-7 FPGA and Synopsys 14nm ASIC technology. Compared to state-of-the-art designs, our approach demonstrates superior performance while maintaining comparable hardware resource efficiency. Specifically, the hardware implementation on the Xilinx Artix-7 utilizes 12k LUTs, 6.9k FFs, 4 DSPs, and 9 BRAMs at clock frequency of 220 MHz.
{"title":"Highly-Efficient Hardware Architecture for ML-KEM PQC Standard","authors":"Haesung Jung;Quang Dang Truong;Hanho Lee","doi":"10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3591136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1109/OJCAS.2025.3591136","url":null,"abstract":"The advent of quantum computers, with their immense computational potential, poses significant threats to traditional cryptographic systems. In response, NIST announced the quantum-resistant Module Lattice-based Key Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM) standard in 2024. This paper presents an efficient hardware architecture for the ML-KEM scheme, capable of supporting all algorithms and flexibly adapting to different security levels. The proposed design achieves a balance between high performance and low hardware resource consumption, making it suitable for deployment across various FPGA platforms. Key innovations include the Unified Polynomial Arithmetic Module (UniPAM), capable of handling all polynomial arithmetic operations, and an optimized hash module for the SHA-3 variants integral to ML-KEM. Additionally, the design introduces an efficient timing diagram and conflict-free memory management strategy, enabling seamless parallelism and reducing execution time while minimizing hardware resource consumption. Furthermore, the implementation incorporates several methods to effectively mitigate side-channel attacks, a common concern in hardware-based cryptosystem deployments. The proposed architecture is validated through implementation on an Artix-7 FPGA and Synopsys 14nm ASIC technology. Compared to state-of-the-art designs, our approach demonstrates superior performance while maintaining comparable hardware resource efficiency. Specifically, the hardware implementation on the Xilinx Artix-7 utilizes 12k LUTs, 6.9k FFs, 4 DSPs, and 9 BRAMs at clock frequency of 220 MHz.","PeriodicalId":93442,"journal":{"name":"IEEE open journal of circuits and systems","volume":"6 ","pages":"356-369"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=11088254","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144893917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}