Dual power swing pipeline design with separation of combinational and sequential logics

摘要

A three-dimensional integrated circuit having a dual or multiple power domain is capable of less energy consumption operation under a given clock rate, which results in an enhanced power-performance-area (PPA) envelope. Sequential logic operates under a system clock that determines the system throughput, whereas combinational logic operates in a different power domain to control overall system power including dynamic and static power. The sequential logic and clock network may be implemented in one tier of the three-dimensional integrated circuit supplied with a relatively high power supply voltage, whereas the combinational logic may be implemented in another tier of the three-dimensional integrated circuit supplied with a relatively low power supply voltage. Further pipeline reorganization may be implemented to leverage the system energy consumption and performance to an optimal point.

主权项

1. A circuit comprising:
a first sequential logic element having a first sequential logic input, a first power supply input operable to receive a first power supply voltage, and a first sequential logic output; a combinational logic element having a combinational logic input coupled to the first sequential logic output of the first sequential logic element, a second power supply input operable to receive a second power supply voltage that is lower than the first power supply voltage, and a combinational logic output; and a second sequential logic element having a second sequential logic input coupled to the combinational logic output of the combinational logic element, a third power supply input operable to receive the first power supply voltage, and a second sequential logic output.