CMOS VLSI Design DC Transfer Characteristics and Switch –level RC delay Models
DC Response DC Response: Vout vs. Vin for a gate Ex: Inverter When Vin = 0 -> Vout = VDD When Vin = VDD -> Vout = 0 In between, Vout depends on transistor size and current By KCL, must settle such that Idsn = |Idsp| We could solve equations But graphical solution gives more insight
Transistor Operation Current depends on region of transistor behavior For what Vin and Vout are nMOS and pMOS in Cutoff? Linear? Saturation?
nMOS Operation Cutoff Linear Saturated Vgsn < Vgsn > Vdsn <
nMOS Operation Cutoff Linear Saturated Vgsn < Vtn Vgsn > Vtn Vdsn < Vgsn – Vtn Vdsn > Vgsn – Vtn
nMOS Operation Cutoff Linear Saturated Vgsn < Vtn Vgsn > Vtn Vdsn < Vgsn – Vtn Vdsn > Vgsn – Vtn Vgsn = Vin Vdsn = Vout
nMOS Operation Cutoff Linear Saturated Vgsn < Vtn Vin < Vtn Vdsn < Vgsn – Vtn Vout < Vin - Vtn Vdsn > Vgsn – Vtn Vout > Vin - Vtn Vgsn = Vin Vdsn = Vout
pMOS Operation Cutoff Linear Saturated Vgsp > Vgsp < Vdsp >
pMOS Operation Cutoff Linear Saturated Vgsp > Vtp Vgsp < Vtp Vdsp > Vgsp – Vtp Vdsp < Vgsp – Vtp
pMOS Operation Cutoff Linear Saturated Vgsp > Vtp Vgsp < Vtp Vdsp > Vgsp – Vtp Vdsp < Vgsp – Vtp Vgsp = Vin - VDD Vdsp = Vout - VDD Vtp < 0
pMOS Operation Cutoff Linear Saturated Vgsp > Vtp Vin > VDD + Vtp Vgsp < Vtp Vin < VDD + Vtp Vdsp > Vgsp – Vtp Vout > Vin - Vtp Vdsp < Vgsp – Vtp Vout < Vin - Vtp Vgsp = Vin - VDD Vdsp = Vout - VDD Vtp < 0
I-V Characteristics Make pMOS is wider than nMOS such that bn = bp
Current vs. Vout, Vin plot absolute value of pMOS
Load Line Analysis For a given Vin: Plot Idsn, Idsp vs. Vout Vout must be where |currents| are equal in
Load Line Analysis Vin = 0
Load Line Analysis Vin = 0.2VDD
Load Line Analysis Vin = 0.4VDD
Load Line Analysis Vin = 0.6VDD
Load Line Analysis Vin = 0.8VDD
Load Line Analysis Vin = VDD
Load Line Summary
DC Transfer Curve Transcribe points onto Vin vs. Vout plot
Operating Regions Revisit transistor operating regions Region nMOS pMOS A B C D E
Operating Regions Revisit transistor operating regions Region nMOS pMOS A Cutoff Linear B Saturation C D E
Beta Ratio If bp / bn 1, switching point will move from VDD/2 If bp / bn < 1, the inverter is LO-skewed If bp / bn > 1, the inverter is HI-skewed
Noise Margins How much noise can a gate input see before it does not recognize the input? NMH= VOH-VIH NML = VIL - VOL
Logic Levels To maximize noise margins, select logic levels at
Logic Levels To maximize noise margins, select logic levels at unity gain point of DC transfer characteristic
Pass Transistors We have assumed source is grounded What if source > 0? e.g. pass transistor passing VDD
Pass Transistors We have assumed source is grounded What if source > 0? e.g. pass transistor passing VDD Vg = VDD If Vs > VDD-Vt, Vgs < Vt Hence transistor would turn itself off nMOS pass transistors pull no higher than VDD-Vtn Called a degraded “1” Approach degraded value slowly (low Ids) pMOS pass transistors pull no lower than Vtp
Pass Transistor Ckts
Pass Transistor Ckts
Tristate Inverter Why (d) is a bad design? If EN = 0, Y is supposed to be float, but if A changes, charge at internal node may disturb node Y. more in section 6.3.4)
Effective Resistance Shockley models have limited value Not accurate enough for modern transistors Too complicated for much hand analysis Simplification: treat transistor as resistor Replace Ids(Vds, Vgs) with effective resistance R Ids = Vds/R R averaged across switching of digital gate Too inaccurate to predict current at any given time But good enough to predict RC delay
RC Delay Model Use equivalent circuits for MOS transistors Ideal switch + capacitance and ON resistance Unit nMOS has resistance R, capacitance C Unit pMOS has resistance 2R, capacitance C Capacitance proportional to width Resistance inversely proportional to width
A nMOS transistor of unit size: minimum length and minimum contacted diffusion width, size = 1 means that W = 4 , L = 2 , W/L = 2 A nMOS transistor size = k
Unit nMOS has resistance R, capacitance C Unit pMOS has resistance 2R, capacitance C
RC Values Capacitance C = Cg = Cs = Cd = 2 fF/mm of gate width Values similar across many processes Resistance R 6 KW/mm in 0.6um process Improves with shorter channel lengths Unit transistors May refer to minimum contacted device (4/2 l) Or maybe 1 mm wide device Doesn’t matter as long as you are consistent
Inverter Delay Estimate Estimate the delay of a fanout-of-1 inverter
Inverter Delay Estimate Estimate the delay of a fanout-of-1 inverter
Inverter Delay Estimate Estimate the delay of a fanout-of-1 inverter
Inverter Delay Estimate Estimate the delay of a fanout-of-1 inverter d = 6RC