#Memristors, the fourth fundamental circuit element? https://t.co/V03Zp7Oaxw #cad #feedly #papers

#Memristors, the fourth fundamental circuit element? https://t.co/V03Zp7Oaxw #cad #feedly #papers

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January 31, 2017 at 02:53PM
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[chapter] Near-Threshold Digital Circuits for Nearly-Minimum Energy Processing

Near-Threshold Digital Circuits for Nearly-Minimum Energy Processing

Massimo Alioto

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore

in Enabling the Internet of Things; pp 95-148 

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-51482-6_4

This chapter addresses the challenges and the opportunities to perform computation with nearly-minimum energy consumption through the adoption of logic circuits operating at near-threshold voltages. Simple models are provided to gain an insight into the fundamental design tradeoffs. A wide set of design techniques is presented to preserve the nearly-minimum energy feature in spite of the fundamental challenges in terms of performance, leakage and variations. Emphasis is given on debunking the incorrect assumptions that stem from traditional low-power common wisdom at above-threshold voltages. The traditional EKV model is very useful for quick estimates, but it oversimplifies the IV characteristics that is observed in actual nanometer CMOS technologies [read more...]

[paper] Electronically tunable MOSFET-based resistor

Electronically tunable MOSFET-based resistor used in a variable gain amplifier or filter

W. L. Tan, C. H. Chang and L. Siek

Nanyang Technological University; Singapore 

2016 International Symposium on Integrated Circuits (ISIC), Singapore, 2016, pp. 1-4.

doi: 10.1109/ISICIR.2016.7829715

Abstract: We present a new design of an electronically tunable linear MOS resistor circuit that operates in the subthreshold saturation region, supported with mathematical derivations and simulation results using CSM0.13µm technology. For a given potential difference across the MOS resistor, its gate voltage will be automatically biased through feedback to provide the correct amount of current based on the desired resistance set through the bias current. Equating the output current of the OTA with the subthreshold equation of the EKV model. In comparison with an existing design, the proposed design offers equal tunabilty with 36 less transistors for unidirectional current and 28 less transistors with one more bias current transistor for bidirectional current. A bias current ranging between 10nA to 100nA offers a tunable linear resistance between 20MΩ to 140MΩ [read more...]

OCS: Octave Circuit Simulator

OCS was developed during the CoMSON (Coupled Multiscale Simulation and Optimization) project which involved several universities but also several industrial partners. Each of the industrial partners at the time was using its own circuit simulation software and each software had different file formats for circuit netlists. Given the purposes of the project and the composition of the consortium the main design objectives for OCS where

• provide a format for "element evaluators" independent of time-stepping algorithms
• provide a "hierarchical" data structure where elements could be composed themselves of lumped-element networks
• allow coupling of lumped-element networks (0D) and 1D/2D/3D device models
• use an intermediate/interchange file format so that none of the formats in use by the industrial partners would be favoured over the others
• be written in an interpreted language for quick prototyping and easy maintenance
• be Free Software

[read more...]

[Course] Advanced CMOS/FinFET Fabrication

February 6, 2017; Portland, OR, USA

Semiconductor and integrated circuit developments continue to proceed at an incredible pace. For example, today’s microprocessor chips have one thousand times the processing power of those a decade ago. These challenges have been accomplished because of the integrated circuit industry’s ability to track something known as Moore’s Law. Moore’s Law states that an integrated circuit’s processing power will double every two years. This has been accomplished by making devices smaller and smaller. The question looming in everyone’s mind is “How far into the future can this continue?” Advanced CMOS/FinFET Fabrication is a 1-day course that offers detailed instruction on the processing used in a modern integrated circuit, and the processing technologies required to make them. We place special emphasis on current issues related to manufacturing the next generation devices. This course is a must for every manager, engineer and technician working in the semiconductor industry, using semiconductor components or supplying tools to the industry.

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