Method and device for softdriving an array of logic gates

摘要

Soft-switching in passgate arrays, present at a certain point of a logic signal path, is implemented with a minimum number of additional components by driving the control nodes of each passgate by an inverter, at least a current terminal of which is made switcheable from the respective supply node to a node onto which an appropriate ramp signal toward the potential of the respective supply potential is produced by a suitable controlled ramp generator. The passgates for switching the current terminals of the inverters are controlled by the logic signal that preexisted the intervening switching on the respective signal line of the passgate, and by its inverse. The preexistent logic value is momentarily stored in a latch that is updated at the end of any new switching process.