Lecture 5

Combination Logic
Design
Pradondet Nilagupta
pom@ku.ac.th
Department of Computer Engineering
Kasetsart University

Acknowledgement
This

lecture note has been summarized from

lecture note on Introduction to VLSI Design,
VLSI Circuit Design all over the world. I cant
remember where those slide come from.
However, Id like to thank all professors who
create such a good work on those lecture
notes. Without those lectures, this slide cant
be finished.

Topics
Combinational

logic functions.
Static complementary logic gate structures.

Combinational logic expressions

Combinational

logic: function value is a

combination of function arguments.
A logic gate implements a particular logic
function.
Both specification (logic equations) and
implementation (logic gate networks) are
written in Boolean logic.

Gate design
Why designing gates for logic functions is nontrivial:
may

not have logic gates in the libray for all logic

expressions;
a logic expression may map into gates that
consume a lot of area, delay, or power.

Boolean algebra terminology

Function:

f = ab + ab
a

is a variable; a and a are literals.

ab is a term.
A function is irredundant if no literal can be
removed without changing its truth value.

Irredundancy
A

logical expression is irredundant if no literal

can be removed from the expression without
changings its value
Redundant

expressions:

a*b+a
a*b+a*b'
Irredundant

expressions:

a*b'+a'*b
a+c*d'

Completeness
A

set of logical functions is complete iif we

can generate every possible Boolean function
using that set
The

set { AND, OR, NOT } is complete

The set { NAND } is complete
The set { AND, OR } is not complete
Transmission gates are not complete.
If

your set of logic gates is not complete, you

cant design arbitrary logic.
8

Minimality
A

logic expression is minimal if no equivalent

form has a higher cost (i.e., literal count)
Minimality Irredundancy
CAD tools are available to find the minimal
(or near-minimal) form for:
Two

level logic (AND/OR Sum of Products)

Multilevel Logic (Arbitrary network of gates)

Static complementary gates

Complementary:

have complementary pullup

(p-type) and pulldown (n-type) networks.
Static: do not rely on stored charge.
Simple, effective, reliable; hence ubiquitous.

10

Static complementary gate

structure
Pullup Network - drives output to VDD
Pulldown Network - drives output to GND

VDD

VDD

Pullup
Network
(p-transistors)
Inputs

Out
Pulldown
Network
(n-transistors)

Gnd

In

Out

Gnd
Inverter

11

Inverter layout
VDD
+

tub ties
out transistors
a

out

(tubs not
shown)

GND
12

Complementary CMOS Notes

Pullup, pulldown networks

should NEVER conduct at
same time!
Pullup, pulldown networks are
duals
A
Parallel in pulldown implies
serial in pullup
Serial in pulldown implies
parallel in pullup
Gate Types:
Simple: NAND, NOR,
inverter
B
And-Or-Invert (AOI)
Or-And-Invert (OAI)

B
C
OUT = (A*(B+C))
A

13

Layout Considerations
Metal

lines required for Vdd!, Gnd!

ndiff, pdiff must be separated by 10 lambda
Transistor options:
horizontal

or vertical diffusion lines

Start with minimum-size transistors
Increased

width implies increased driving capabilitiy,

but
Do the analysis first to see if its necessary

14

Layout Considerations (cont'd)

Interconnect

layers (use vias when

necessary):
Metal

1
Metal 2
Poly
Diffusion
Specify

a well depending on process type

Use substrate contacts to prevent latchup

15

NAND gate
+

out
b

16

NAND layout
VDD
+
out
b

out tub
ties
b
a
GND
17

Layout Example - NAND

Compare to Fig 3-10, p.

122
Differences from Magic
Explicit contact cuts
P-tub as well as N-tub
Larger N-well
Note transistor sizes
Note substrate contacts

18

NOR gate

+
b
a
out

19

NOR layout

VDD

a
out

tub ties
b
out
a

GND
20

Layout Example - NOR

Compare to Fig 3-12, p.

123
Differences from Magic
Explicit contact cuts
P-tub as well as N-tub
Larger N-well
Note transistor sizes
Note substrate contacts

21

Layout - Creating Wide

Transistors

Divide into multiple transistors

Tie together sources, drains
Compare to Fig 3-9, p. 121
Missing but still needed:
substrate contacts

22

AOI/OAI gates
AOI

= and/or/invert; OAI = or/and/invert.

Implement larger functions.
Pullup and pulldown networks are compact:
smaller area, higher speed than NAND/NOR
network equivalents.
AOI312: and 3 inputs, and 1 input (dummy),
and 2 inputs; or together these terms; then
invert.

23

AOI example
out = [ab+c]:
invert

symbol

circuit
or

and

24

Pullup/pulldown network design

Pullup

and pulldown networks are duals.

To design one gate, first design one network,
then compute dual to get other network.
Example: design network which pulls down
when output should be 0, then find dual to get
pullup network.

25

Dual network construction

b
b

dummy

dummy
26

Inverter - DC Analysis
A
NMOS off
PMOS lin

B
NMOS sat
PMOS lin

Vou t

NMOS sat C
PMOS sat

out

in

NMOS lin
PMOS sat

NMOS lin
PMOS off E
Vin

27

Inverter DC Analysis - Continued

A

Vout VDD

Vout Vin Vtp

Vout

D
E

2
Vtp VDD n Vin v tn
Vin Vtp 2 2 Vin VDD

2
p

VDD
2

Vout Vin Vtn

2
2 p
V

V
in tn Vin VDD v tp
n

Vout 0

Note dependence on n/ p
' Wp
Recall: k' Wn
p kp
n

Ln

Lp

Source: N. Weste & K. Eshraghian, Principles of CMOS VLSI Design Addison Wesley, 1992

28

Logic Levels: Output

Logic

values are represented by a range of

voltages
Logic

1: between VOH and VDD (5V)

Logic

0: between VOL and VSS (0V)

Static

CMOS Output levels

VOH = VDD (5V)

VOL

= VSS = Gnd (0V)

29

Logic Levels: Input

Examine DC Input/Output Curve (Fig 3-15, p. 120)

Pick points where slope = -1 as VIL , VIH

Rationale: compare change in VIN , VOUT

VIN < VIL small change in VIN causes small change in VOUT
VIN > VOUT small change in VIN causes small change in VOUT

VIN < VIL < VIH small change in VIN causes large change in VOUT

30

Logic Levels - Summary

"1"

OH
V
IH

V(y)
Slope = -1

V
OH

Undefined
Region

"0"

V
IL
V
OL

Slope = -1
VOL
V

IL

IH

V(x)

31

Noise Margin
A

measure of noise immunity

Logic

1: NMH = VOH - VIH

Logic

0: NML = VOL - VIL

Important

when noise is present

Definition:

small random variations in voltage

Dont want noise to affect circuit output

32

Transistor Sizing and Noise

Margin

Changing beta (size)

ratio changes VIH, VIL

To balance noise
margin:

Make n=p => Wp=3.5Wn

Actually, Wp=2Wn is often Vout

good enough

n
10
p
n
0.1
p

n
1
p

Vin

33

Gate Delay
Consider

an inverter with "step function" input

Delay related to time to discharge / charge
CL
in
t

RL
CL

34

Simplifying Assumptions
Assume

transistors turn on/off

instantaneously
Model transistor as a switch, resistor in series
Resistor

approximates Vds/Id at different values of

Vds
(See

Fig. 2-6, p. 45 Fig 3-17, p. 123, Fig. 3-18, p.

123)
Use average of Vds/Id at:
middle

of linear region Vlin = 0.5(Vds - Vss - Vt)

maximum

of saturation region V sat = (Vds - Vss)

35

Delay Calculation - Finding Rn

Vsat Vlin
Rn

/ 2
I sat I lin

EQ 3 1

Vsat V DD VSS

I sat

1 W
2
k V DD VSS Vt
2 L

Vlin V DD VSS Vt / 2
W 1
2
1 VDD VSS Vt
Ilin k VDD VSS Vt

L 2
2
2

2

3 W
2
k V DD VSS Vt
8
L
36

Delay Calculation - Finding Rn

V
V
Rn sat lin / 2
I sat I lin

VDD V SS
VDD VSS Vt / 2

/ 2
1 W
3 W
2
2
k VDD VSS Vt
k VDD VSS Vt
2

L
8 L

5 V 5 V 2 V
L 3 DD 3 SS 3 t
Rn
2
W k' VDD VSS Vt

Table 3-1, p. 125 (0.5m process, VDD=5V)

Rn = 3.9k
Rp = 14k

37

Gate Delay (cont'd)

Equivalent

Network - see p. 125

Eq. 3-6: voltage vs. time
Eq. 3-7: solve for 90%-10% time
Delay calculation - assuming loading of a
single inverter: p. 106

38

Fall Time Approximation

Capacitor

initially charged at VDD

Transistor approx. Rn
Fall time (90%-10%): tf = 2.2 * Rn * CL
V OUT
Rn

CL

39

Rise Time Approximation

Capacitor

initially discharged (at Vss)

Transistor approx. Rp
Fall time (90%-10%): tp = 2.2 * Rp * CL
Rp
V OUT
CL

40

Gate Delay Accuracy

Comparison

to Spice simulation:
Fig 3-19, p. 127
Estimate

seems overly conservative, BUT

Step functions don't occur in "real life"
Spice

simulation of cascaded inverters:

Fig. 3-20, p. 128
First

inverter output a more realistic waveform

Second inverter delay comparable to estimate

41

Gate Delay of NAND Gate

Pulldown:

series n-transistors
tf = 2.2 * (2 * Rn) * CL

Pullup:

parallel p-transistors
(worst case when one on)
tr = 2.2 * Rp * CL
V OUT
Rn

CL

Rn

42

Gate Delay of NOR Gate

Pulldown:

parallel n-transistors
(worst case when one on)
tf = 2.2 * Rn * CL

Pullup:

series p-transistors
tr = 2.2 * (2 * Rp) * CL Rp

NOR

slower than NAND Rp

(why?)

V OUT
CL

43

Gate Delay
Consider

an inverter with a rising input

Delay related to time to discharge / charge CL

VIN

VOUT

RL
CL

44

Gate Delay - Definitions

Vin

50%

50%

tpHL

Vout

tpLH
90%
50%
10%

50%

tf
tr
Delay: time to reach 50% of final value
tpHL (book calls this td)
tpLH
Transition Time: time between 10% and 90%:
tf - fall time
tr - rise time
45

Simplifying Assumptions
Assume

Step Function input

Model transistor as switch and resistor
Resistor

approximates Vds/Id at different

values of Vds

Use

average of Vds/Id at:

middle

of linear region Vlin = 0.5(Vds - Vss - Vt)

maximum

CL

of saturation region Vsat = (Vds -

Vss)
Book

Rp

calls this the model

Rn

46

Delay Calculation - Finding Rn

Vsat Vlin
R n

/2
Isat Ilin
Vsat VDD VSS

EQ 31

1 ' W
2
Isat k n VDD VSS Vt
2 L
Vlin VDD VSS Vt /2
2

W 1
V Vt
2 1 V
Ilin kn VDD VSS Vt DD SS


L 2
2
2
3 W
2
kn VDD VSS Vt
8 L
47

Delay Calculation - Finding Rn

Vsat Vlin
R n

/2
Isat Ilin

VDD VSS Vt /2
VDD VSS

/2

1 W
3 W
2
2
kn VDD VSS Vt
kn VDD VSS Vt
2 L

8 L
5
5
2
V V V
L 3 DD 3 SS 3 t
R n

W kn VDD VSS Vt 2

48

Delay Calculation - Finding Rp

Vsat Vlin
R p

/2
Isat Ilin

EQ 31

Vsat VSS VDD

1 W
2
Isat kp VSS VDD Vt
2 L

Vlin VSS VDD Vt /2

2
W 1
2 1 VSS VDD Vt
Ilin kp VSS VDD Vt


L 2
2
2
3 W
2

kp VSS VDD Vt
8 L
49

Delay Calculation - Finding Rp

Vsat Vlin
R p

/2
Isat Ilin

VSS VDD Vt /2
VSS VDD

/2

1 W
3 W
2
2
k VSS VDD Vt k VSS VDD Vt
2 L

8 L

5
5
2
V V V
L 3 SS 3 DD 3 t
R p
2
W k' VSS VDD Vt

50

Summary: Calculating Rn and Rp

Assume

VSS=0 to simplify:

5
2
V V
L 3 DD 3 t
R n

W kn VDD Vt 2

2
VDD Vt
L
3
3
R p

W kp VDD Vt 2

51

Example: Calculating Rn
Use

values from book:

VDD 5V Vt 0.7V

kn 73A/V2 L 2 W 3

5
2
VDD Vt

L
3
R n 3

W kV V 2
n DD t

2
(5V) (0.7V)

2
3
3
14K
2
3 kn 5V 0.7V

52

Example: Calculating Rp
Use

values from book:

VDD 5V Vt 0.8V kp 21A/V2 L 2 W 3

5

2
VDD Vt

L
3
3
R p
2

W kp V
DD Vt

5
2
(5V) (0.8V)

2
3
3

14K
2
2
3 (21A/V )5V (0.8V)

53

Summary: Rn and Rp for

Minimum-Sized Transistors

type
Rn
Rp

VDD=5V

VDD=3.3V

3.9K
14K

6.8K
25K

Table 3-1, p. 130

54

Inverter Delay with the model

Rising Input / Falling Output
Vout (t) VDDe

t
(R n R L )C L

EQ 3 6

Rp

V DD

t pHL

0.5VDD VDDe

(R n R L )C L

RL

EQ 3 7 *
t 90%

t 10%

CL

t pHL (R n R L )CL ln(0.5) 0.69(R n R L )CL EQ 3 8

0.1
t f t10% t 90% (R n R L )ln
2.2(R n R L )CL EQ 3 9
0.9

Rn

55

Inverter Delay with the model

Falling Input / Rising Output
t

Vout (t) 1 VDDe (R n R L )CL

t pHL

(R
R
)C
0.5VDD VDD 1 e n L L

Rp

V DD

RL

t 10%

t 90%

CL

t pHL (R n R L )CL ln(0.5) 0.69(R n R L )CL EQ 3 8

0.1
t r t 90% t10% (R n R L )ln
2.2(R n R L )CL EQ 3 9
0.9

Rn

56

NAND Gate Delay with the

Model
Fall

time: n-transistors in series

tf = 2*2.2(Rn+RL)CL

Rp

Rp

RL

Rise

time: 1 p-transistor on
(for worst case)
tf = 2*2.2(Rn+RL)CL

CL

Rn

Rn

57

NOR Gate Delay with the Model

Fall

time: one n-transistor on

(worst case)

Rp

tf = 2.2(Rn+RL)CL
Rp

Rise

time: p-transistor in series

tf = 2*2.2(Rn+RL)CL
Rn

Rn

58

AOI Gate Delay with the Model

Fall time: 2 n-transistors in series

(worst case)
tf = 2*2.2(Rn+RL)CL

B
A
C

Rise time: 3 p-transistors in series

(worst case)
tf = 3*2.2(Rn+RL)CL

RL
CL

A
D
B

59

Delay Estimation - Other

Approaches

Current source model - treat transistor as current source

in saturation

tf

CL (VDD VSS )
CL (VDD VSS )

(EQ 310)
2
Id
0.5kn W /LVDD VSS Vt

tr

CL (VDD VSS )
CL (VDD VSS )

2
Id
0.5kp W /LVSS VDD Vt

Fitted model
Measure several circuit characteristics & fit to formula

Used in CAD tools

Circuit Simulation - Most accurate approach

60

Accuracy of methods
Comparison

to Spice simulation: Fig 3-20, p.

133

Model
Current Source Model
What
Use

to do:
simple models for

Quick

prediction of delay
Insight into circuit operation
Comparison of different circuits
Use

Spice for accurate simulation

61

Example - Inverter Delay

Estimate tr and tf for a minimum-size inverter driving the

inputs of four minimum-size inverters
(assume loading only from transistor gates)
C INV

IN

OUT

C INV

C gp

CL
C INV

C gn

C INV

62

Example - Inverter Delay (1/2)

Estimate
Cgp=

loading from a single inverter:

2 0.25m/ 3 0.25m/ 0.9fF /m2

0.3375fF

C =
gn

C gp

2 0.25m/ 3 0.25m/ 0.9fF /m2

0.3375fF

CINV=

Cgn Cgp 0.3375fF 0.3375fF

CL=

4 Cinv 4 0.675fF 2.7fF

C INV
C gn

0.675fF

63

Example - Inverter Delay (2/2)

Now
t r=

use Rn, Rp, CL to calculate tr, tf

2.2 R n CL 2.2 3.9K 2.7 1015 F

23.61ps

2.2 R p CL 2.2 14K 2.7 1015 F

t f=

83.61ps

64

Example - Gate Delay of an AOI

Gate
Use

values in book for VDD=5V

Rise

time tr:

Worst case: 2 transistors

tr= 2.2 (2 Rp) C L
2.2 (2 14K) 50 10
3.08ns

15

in series
A

B
C

C L=50fF

Fall

time t :

B
tf= 2.2 (2 f R n ) C L
15
Worst
series
connection
2.2 case:
(2 3.9K)
50 10
F

0.86ns

65

Effect of Increased Transistor

Width
Increase

width of transistor to:

Increase

current
Reduce effective resistance (R n or Rp)
Side-effect:

increased input capacitance

(more about this later)
5
2
V V
L 3 DD 3 t
3
R n(WNEW)

R n(W3)

2
WNEW kn VDD Vt WNEW

3
R p(WNEW)
R p(W3)
WNEW
66

Example: Gate Delay of a NOR

(VDD=5V)
R n( W8)

R n( W3)
3.9k

R p(W 31)

3
1.46k
8

R n( W3)
14k

3
8

W=31
L=2

3
31

3
1.35k
31

OUT
A

W=8
L=2

C L=20fF

t f 2.2 R
n(W 8) C L
2.2 1.46k 20fF 0.064ns
t f 2.2 (2 R p( W31) ) C L
2.2 2 1.35k 20fF 0.12ns
67

Transistor Sizing Example

Size
Rp

the transistors in an inverter so that tr=tf

/ Rn = 13K / 3.9K = 3.47

Make

Wp approximately 3.5*Wn
W=10
L=2
VIN

VOUT

W=3
L=2

68

Transistor Sizing Example

Size the transistors in an AOI gate

so that tr=tf
Rp / Rn = 13K / 3.9K = 3.47
A
18
(round down to 3)
Size each worst case path for equal delay
Assume L=2 in all transistors
D

B
C

36

18
A

36

3
B 6

C 6

69

Result of Body Effect: Increased

Delay

Consider n-transistors in series:

T1 has higher Vt while C1 charged

T1 turns on more slowly

CL discharges more slowly

Delay (fall time) increases!

What to do?
Attempt to reduce parasitic
C1-internal node capacitance

Place earliest-arriving gate inputs

near Gnd (VDD, for p-transistors)

To Pullup Network
OUT

T1

T2

CL

C1

+
V C1 =V sb1
-

V sb2 =0V

Place latest-arriving gate inputs

near output

70

Body Effect

Weve used fixed values for Vtp, Vtn, BUT

This is true only if source/substrate voltage Vsb=0

Not always the case when transistors are in series

Increasing Vsb

increases width of depletion layer

raises the threshold voltage Vt
Vt n s Vsb s

Example (p. 56): if Vsb=5V, Vt=0.16V (24% of Vt)

71

Power Consumption

Static power consumption - due to leakage current

Diode leakage - reverse-biased diode junction
i o i s (e qV / kT 1)

Subthreshold current - in deep submicron devices

W Vgs Vt / nVth
I sub I D0 ( )e
1
L

Total static consumption:

Pstatic I leakage VDD

Dynamic power consumption

Power consumed as outputs switch to
Charge load capacitances
Discharge load capacitance
72

Dynamic Power Consumption

Charging

Capacitor

Current,

voltage: Eq. 3-8, 3-9 (p. 130)

Energy: Eq. 3-10
Discharging

Capacitor

Current,

voltage: Eq. 3-11, 3-12 (p. 131)

Energy: Eq. 3-13

73

Power Consumption (cont'd)

Power:

Energy per unit time

P = f*CL*(VDD-VSS)2 = f*CL*VDD2
Where
f

= rate of change of gate output

Worst case: f=fclock (more likely f < fclock but f fclock
)
P depends only on f, CL, and VDD!
For

overall chip:

P = f*CL*(VDD-VSS)2 = f*CL*VDD2
74

Power Consumption and VDD

Reducing
If

VDD creates large reduction in P

we reduce VDD to VDD,

P V

P' V '
2

DD

DD

P
5V

2.29
P' 3.3V
2

EXAMPLE : if V 5V, V ' 3.3V

DD

DD

P
5V
EXAMPLE : if V 5V, V ' 1.8V
7.72
P' 1.8V
2

DD

DD

75

Delay and VDD

Tradeoff:

reducing VDD increases delay

If we reduce VDD to VDD,
t'r
VDD

so

'
'
'
t
R p VDD
VDD
r
Rp

VDD

t'r
5V
EXAMPLE : if VDD 5V,VDD' 3.3V
1.52
t r 3.3V
t'r
5V
EXAMPLE : if VDD 5V,VDD ' 1.8V
2.77
t r 1.8V

Tradeoff:

reducing VDD decreases noise immunity

(more careful design necessary!)
76

Design Strategies for Power

Reduction

Use lower VDD to reduce power

Compensate for higher delays by
Using newer, smaller, faster IC technology
Trading off more slower logic for less faster logic this is called voltage scaling
Examples (from Tom Burds General Processor Information)
Intel P5 Pentium: VDD=5.0V / fclk=66MHz / P=16W

Intel P54C: VDD=3.3V / fclk=100MHz / P=5.0W

Intel P55VRT: VDD=3.3 / fclk=200Mhz / P=3.4W

Intel P6: VDD=3.3V/ fclk=166MHz / P=23.4W

Compaq Alpha 21264: VDD=2.0V / fclk=667MHz / P=72W

77

Speed-Power Product
A

way of characterizing the quality of a logic

family
For static complementary CMOS
1
SP P CV
f

DD

Bottom

line: easiest way to reduce power is

to reduce VDD

78