Providing supply voltage for dynamic internal power supply node

文档序号:1662026 发布日期:2019-12-27 浏览:7次 中文

阅读说明:本技术 为动态内部电源节点提供电源电压 (Providing supply voltage for dynamic internal power supply node ) 是由 R·卓什 王乃刚 B·多利斯 于 2018-05-14 设计创作,主要内容包括:公开了用于向一组其他电路的动态内部电源节点提供电源电压的电路和方法。一种电路包括不同沟道类型的第一晶体管和第二晶体管,并联耦合至提供恒定电源电压的静态电源。电路还包括磁感应器,具有第一端子和第二端子,第一端子连接到第一晶体管和第二晶体管之间的公共节点,第二端子连接到动态内部电源节点,以通过与耦合到动态内部电源节点的至少一个电容谐振,为动态内部电源节点提供幅度大于恒定电源电压幅度的升压电压。(Circuits and methods for providing a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits are disclosed. A circuit includes first and second transistors of different channel types coupled in parallel to a static power supply that provides a constant supply voltage. The circuit also includes a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to the common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node having a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.)

1. A circuit for providing a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits, comprising:

first and second transistors of different channel types coupled in parallel to a static power supply providing a constant supply voltage; and

a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to a common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node with a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitance coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

2. A circuit for providing a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits, comprising:

a first transistor and a second transistor of different channel types coupled in parallel, each having a terminal connected to a dynamic internal supply node and another terminal connected to a static supply providing a substantially constant supply voltage; and

a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to the static power supply and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node with a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant power supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

3. A circuit for providing a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits, comprising:

a first transistor and a second transistor of different channel types coupled in parallel, each transistor having a non-gate terminal connected to a static power supply and another non-gate terminal connected to a common node between the first transistor and the second transistor, the static power supply providing a constant supply voltage, wherein a gate of the first transistor and both gates of the second transistor are connected to a boost clock; and

a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to the common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node having a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node in response to a phase of the boost block.

4. A circuit as claimed in claim 1 or 3, further comprising a capacitor, different from the at least one capacitance, connected in parallel to the magnetic inductor such that a first terminal of the capacitor is connected to a common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal of the capacitor is connected to the dynamic internal supply node.

5. A circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first transistor is disabled in response to a first phase of the boost clock being synchronised with the functional clocks of the other circuit groups, the functional clocks controlling evaluation for dynamic logic circuits and for static logic circuit state changes in the other circuit groups.

6. The circuit of claim 5, wherein the magnetic inductor resonates with the at least one capacitor to provide the boosted voltage to the dynamic internal supply node in response to disabling the first transistor during the second phase of the boost clock.

7. The circuit of claim 6, wherein the second phase of the boost clock is provided at a timing corresponding to an evaluation time for the dynamic logic circuit and a state change for the static logic circuit to provide the boost voltage during the evaluation time and the state change.

8. A circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second transistor has two gate terminals coupled to the boost clock, a source terminal connected to the dynamic internal supply node, and a drain terminal connected to the static supply.

9. The circuit of claim 8, wherein the first transistor has a gate terminal coupled to both gate terminals of the second transistor, a source terminal connected to a source terminal of the second transistor, and a drain terminal connected to a drain terminal of the second transistor.

10. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the second transistor has two gate terminals connected to the gate terminal of the first transistor, such that the second transistor is enabled by the first stage of the boost clock and has a source terminal connected to the source terminal of the first transistor, such that the first transistor and the second transistor couple the magnetic inductor and the at least one capacitor to the static power supply.

11. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the second transistor has two gate terminals connected to the gate terminal of the first transistor, such that the second transistor is enabled by the first phase of the boost clock, and has a source terminal connected to the source terminal of the first transistor.

12. A circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a set of further circuits is connected between the dynamic internal supply node and the return node, and wherein the at least one capacitance comprises a shunt capacitance caused by the set of further circuits.

13. A circuit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the other circuits are selected from the group consisting of logic circuits, memory circuits and circuits having both logic and memory elements.

14. A method for forming an integrated circuit that provides a supply voltage to dynamic internal supply nodes of a set of other circuits, comprising:

forming a first transistor and a second transistor of different channel types, coupled in parallel to a static power supply providing a constant supply voltage; and

an on-chip magnetic inductor is formed having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal connected to a common node between the first transistor and the second transistor, and the second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node with a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

15. A method for forming an integrated circuit that provides a supply voltage to dynamic internal supply nodes of a set of other circuits, comprising:

forming first and second transistors of different channel types coupled in parallel, each transistor having a terminal connected to a dynamic internal power supply node and another terminal connected to a static power supply providing a substantially constant supply voltage; and

an on-chip magnetic inductor is formed having a first terminal connected to the static power supply and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node with a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant power supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising forming a capacitor, distinct from the at least one capacitance, connected in parallel to the magnetic inductor such that a first terminal of the capacitor is connected to a common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal of the capacitor is connected to the dynamic internal supply node.

17. A circuit for providing a supply voltage, comprising:

a first transistor and a second transistor coupled to a static power supply that supplies a constant power supply voltage; and

a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to a common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage relative to the constant power supply voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node by resonating with at least one capacitance coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

18. A method for forming an integrated circuit for providing a supply voltage, comprising:

forming a first transistor and a second transistor coupled in parallel with a static power supply that provides a constant supply voltage; and

an on-chip magnetic inductor is formed having a first terminal connected to a common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage relative to the constant power supply voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits and, in particular, to resonant virtual power boosters (boosters) for synchronizing logic and other circuits using on-chip integrated magnetic inductors.

Background

Static and dynamic logic circuits are used in memory and logic devices to provide high frequency operation with minimal die area to perform logic operations and to provide memory functions. Synchronous static and dynamic logic circuits have controlled evaluation times because circuit operation before and during evaluation or change of state of the output values of the logic blocks is determined from the input logic or memory cell values.

The group of logic circuits, sometimes referred to as "macros," have been power managed in existing circuits to reduce power consumption, except for the consumption of (draw) power current over a time interval to provide for the reading or writing of memory cell values, or the determination of a logical combination. For example, dynamic logic circuits may consume no current, or the leakage current is low, unless the signal nodes are precharged and then selectively discharged to produce a combined output or memory cell value. Static logic circuits or memory cells consume a large amount of current only when a change in state occurs.

Logic circuits have been implemented that include virtual power supply nodes that can be disabled or set to a reduced voltage when the logic circuit is not being evaluated, or that can use multiple power supplies to provide a higher voltage to critical circuits. In some embodiments, circuitry has been provided to boost a supply voltage provided to a logic circuit during an evaluation phase to reduce a quiescent supply voltage by including a boost transistor. This boosting reduces the overall supply voltage requirements. However, since the virtual power supply node typically has a large parallel capacitance due to the large number of devices connected to the virtual power supply node, the energy spent to change the voltage of the virtual power supply node voltage offsets any advantages obtained.

It is therefore desirable to provide a virtual power supply circuit for synchronous logic and other logic that has a predictable evaluation time that can reduce overall supply voltage and energy consumption.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an aspect of the invention, a circuit is provided. The circuit is used to provide a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits. The circuit includes first and second transistors of different channel types coupled in parallel to a static power supply that provides a constant supply voltage. The circuit also includes a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to the common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node with a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant power supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

According to another aspect of the invention, a circuit is provided. The circuit is used to provide a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits. The circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor coupled in parallel, of different channel types, each having a terminal connected to a dynamic internal supply node and another terminal connected to a static supply providing a substantially constant supply voltage. The circuit also includes a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to the static power supply and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node; a boosted voltage having a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the constant supply voltage is provided to the dynamic internal supply node by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal supply node.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a circuit is provided. The circuit is used to provide a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits. The circuit includes first and second transistors of different channel types coupled in parallel, each transistor having a non-gate terminal connected to a static power supply, the static power supply providing a constant supply voltage, and another non-gate terminal connected to a common node between the first and second transistors. A grid electrode of the first transistor and two grid electrodes of the second transistor are connected to a boosting clock; the circuit also includes a magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to the common node between the first transistor and the second transistor, and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal supply node having a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitor coupled to the dynamic internal supply node in response to a phase of the boost block.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided. The method is used to form an integrated circuit that provides a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits. The method includes forming a first transistor and a second transistor having different channel types, the first and second transistors coupled in parallel to a static power supply that provides a constant supply voltage. The method also includes forming an on-chip magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to the common node between the first transistor and the second transistor and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node with a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitance coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided. The method is used to form an integrated circuit that provides a supply voltage to a dynamic internal supply node of a set of other circuits. The method includes forming first and second transistors having different channel types coupled in parallel, each having a terminal connected to a dynamic internal supply node and another terminal connected to a static supply providing a substantially constant supply voltage. The method also includes forming an on-chip magnetic inductor having a first terminal connected to the static power supply and a second terminal connected to the dynamic internal power supply node to provide a boosted voltage to the dynamic internal power supply node with a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the constant supply voltage by resonating with at least one capacitance coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The following description will provide details of preferred embodiments with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Integrated Circuit (IC) according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a first example of a virtual power supply/boost circuit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a first example of the virtual power supply/boost circuit shown in FIG. 2 depicted using different representations in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first example of the virtual power supply/boost circuit shown in FIG. 2 depicted using another different representation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a second example of a virtual power supply/boost circuit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second example of the virtual power supply/boost circuit shown in FIG. 5 depicted using different representations in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a third example of a virtual power supply/boost circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a third example of the virtual power supply/boost circuit shown in FIG. 7 depicted using different representations in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of an exemplary design flow for forming a resonant virtual power booster for synchronous logic and other circuits using on-chip integrated magnetic inductors, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of an exemplary design flow, for example, for use in semiconductor IC logic design, simulation, test, layout, and fabrication, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a waveform diagram illustrating signals within the virtual power supply/boost circuit of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 12-21 illustrate an exemplary method for fabricating a virtual power supply/boost circuit, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The invention relates to a resonant virtual power booster for synchronizing logic and other circuits using on-chip integrated magnetic inductors. The other circuits may be memory circuits or circuits combining logic and memory.

In one embodiment, the resonant virtual power booster is connected to a dynamic internal power node that supplies power to, for example, the synchronous logic circuit and other circuits described above. In one embodiment, the resonant virtual power booster is capable of providing lower power to the dynamic internal power node during the standby mode than during the active mode.

An advantage of using a magnetic inductor in the resonant virtual power booster is that the magnetic inductor enables a larger inductance compared to conventional inductors. Furthermore, a significantly higher Q can be achieved at the desired frequency by means of a magnetic inductor. For example, placing ferromagnetic or magnetic inductors directly above the macro can reduce the Q and L losses and the total area.

The present invention relates to devices that include logic circuits, such as memory devices, processors, and other circuits that require low voltage and low power operation. Instead of a typical static power supply, the virtual power rail is used to reduce the power rail voltage, thereby reducing power consumption due to leakage when circuitry in a given "macro" or circuit block is inactive. In the example apparatus disclosed herein, the static supply voltage may be further reduced due to the inclusion of one or more techniques for dynamically boosting the virtual supply rail voltage, which extend to the use of magnetic inductors to form resonant circuits and/or to order multiple resonant or non-resonant boost circuits to increase the amount of boost voltage available. In a resonant boost configuration, energy for boosting the virtual power rail voltage will be stored and recovered when the voltage decreases after a boost interval having a timing relative to the clock evaluated in the control logic circuit. The clock may be the clock that controls the precharge and evaluation cycles in a dynamic logic circuit, or may be the clock whose time state changes in a static logic circuit, which term is also considered evaluation herein.

Accordingly, the present invention is embodied in a virtual power rail booster circuit and method of operation that provides reduced power consumption and power supply voltage requirements.

In one embodiment, the booster circuit includes a first transistor coupling a dynamic internal supply node of a set of logic circuits to a static supply providing a substantially constant supply voltage to the set of logic circuits. The first transistor is disabled in response to a first phase of the boost clock synchronized with a functional clock of the group of logic circuits that control evaluation of the dynamic logic circuit and state change of the static logic circuit. The booster circuit further includes an inductor coupled to the dynamic internal supply node for resonating with at least one capacitance coupled to the dynamic internal supply node, whereby when the first transistor is disabled according to a second phase of boosting corresponding to an evaluation time of the logic circuit group, a voltage of the dynamic internal supply node is increased to a value substantially greater than the supply voltage by the inductor resonating with the capacitance coupled to the dynamic internal supply node. The energy used to boost the dynamic internal supply node voltage is stored and recovered by the inductor. The second boost transistor, which may be a FINFET device, may be controlled by another phase of the clock to couple the rising edge of the clock to initiate resonant boosting. The other phase of the clock may be a delayed version of the boosted clock signal. Although various embodiments of the present invention describe the use of FINFET devices as "second boost transistors," it should be understood that other types of transistors may be used while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. For example, multi-gate transistors, all-Gate (GAA) transistors, and the like may also be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. Indeed, carbon nanotubes and other techniques may also be used while maintaining the spirit of the present invention. These and other variations of the present invention may be readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art given the teachings of the present invention provided herein.

In another embodiment, the boost circuit may include a plurality of boost transistors controlled by different phases of the clock such that the resonant boost circuit is continuously energized to increase the amount of voltage rise at the dynamic internal power supply node, and in some embodiments, a plurality of inductors may be coupled to the dynamic internal power supply node through the plurality of boost devices and continuously energized to increase the amount of voltage rise.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary Integrated Circuit (IC)110 that may represent a processor integrated circuit, a memory device, or another very large scale integrated circuit (VLSI) including logic and memory devices in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Within the IC 110, a set of logic circuits 111 (or "macro") includes an exemplary logic gate 112, latch 114, and memory 116, all of which provide an operating voltage from a dynamic internal supply node 105, the voltage V of the dynamic internal supply node 105DDVTo dynamically change the power change to reduce power consumption when the group of logic circuits 111 is not operating, or in the case of the present example, when the circuits in the group of logic circuits 111 are not ready to produce a state change. The state changes in the set of logic circuits 111 are synchronized by one or more clock signals provided by the clock generator 118. The example clock generator 118 includes a Phase Locked Loop (PLL)124 that generates a high frequency clock and divider logic 126. The divider logic 126 generates various clock phases and control signals from the high frequency clock, including a clock signal lck that is provided to the input of the programmable timing block 122, the programmable timing block 122 generating clock signals lck0, lck1, lck2 that are provided to the logic circuit bank 111, and a boost clock boost that is provided to the virtual power/boost circuits 120 in the logic circuit bank 111.

Techniques included in virtual power supply/boost circuit 120 generate a voltage V on dynamic internal power supply node 105DDVSubstantially greater than the quiescent power supply voltage V provided to the input of the virtual power supply/boost circuit 120DDAnd operate other circuits within the integrated circuit 110 so that the quiescent supply voltage V can be reducedDDWhile still meeting performance requirements within dynamic circuit group 111. The following description refers to FIGS. 2-8Providing a booster voltage VDDVThe specific technique of (1). In general, virtual power supply/boost circuit 120 generates a voltage VDDVTo output a voltage VDDVThe boosted voltage values of (a) are aligned with the particular times for which the voltage values provided to the exemplary logic gate 112, latch 114 and memory 116 are most critical to performance. The quiescent power supply voltage V supplied to the virtual power supply/booster circuit 120 can be reducedDDThe static value of (2). In general, the output voltage V will be output before the start of the static or dynamic evaluation by means of the clock signals lck0, lck1, lck2DDVIs placed at the set-up interval. The programmable timing block 122 includes a tapped delay line 128 formed of buffers/inverters and selectors to optimize the timing of lck0, lck1, lck2 and boost clock boost for instantaneous frequency, voltage, and other environmental and circuit conditions. However, the integrated circuit 110 as shown in fig. 1 is only one example, and a fixed clock buffer chain may be used instead. In one embodiment, signals arriving at boost block 120 (boost) may be buffered differently according to their timing rules to boost latches, memory, and logic. Thus, the boost level is delivered according to appropriate timing rules.

Referring now to fig. 2, a first example of a virtual power supply/boost circuit 200 that may be used to implement virtual power supply/boost circuit 120 of integrated circuit 110 of fig. 1 is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the example of FIG. 2, a virtual power supply/boost circuit 200 is shown having an array of memory cells 290 powered by a voltage Vddv and controlled by word lines (Wl _0 to Wl _ n) and bit lines (blc0 to blt 0). The virtual power supply/boost circuit 200 includes a first transistor P1 and a second boost transistor N1. The boost transistor N1 is implemented by an N-type FinFET, whose gate is controlled by an "IN" signal (also interchangeably referred to herein as a "boost" signal), the capacitive coupling between the gate and the body being large, and therefore advantageous for such applications. IN the standby state, "IN" is "low", so the virtual array supply voltage "Vddv" is "Vdd". The drain and source are both at "Vdd", and the fully depleted body of the boosted nFET N1 is also at "Vdd". The virtual power supply/boost circuit 200 also includes an inductor L1 between these transistors (P1 and N1) and a storage unit (not shown). Inductor ML1 is made of and/or otherwise includes magnetic material (and is interchangeably referred to herein as "magnetic inductor" ML 1).

During a read operation, the "IN" signal ramps up to "High," thereby turning off transistor P1. The ramping up capacitance of gate signal "IN" couples to the floating body of boost transistor N1, bringing the body potential (potential) to a level significantly higher than VDD.

Thus, the source node of the boost transistor N1 (which is the virtual array supply node) is capacitively coupled through the body-source capacitance.

Magnetic inductor ML resonates the boosted power supply and helps the write capability by initially folding the battery power supply and then boosting the power supply voltage.

Referring to fig. 3, a first example of the virtual power supply/boost circuit 200 shown in fig. 2 is depicted using a different representation 300, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The different representation 300 shows N1 and P1 of fig. 2 as a pair 381 of inverters (also interchangeably referred to as "boosters") and also includes a magnetic inductor ML 1. In particular, the booster and magnetic inductor ML1 are shown with respect to gate 112, latch 114 and memory 116 depicted in fig. 1. The magnetic inductor ML1 is a resonant ferromagnetic boost inductor connected between the output of N1 and the output "OUT" (Vddv) of the virtual power supply/boost circuit 200. Magnetic inductor ML1 helps boost and resonate the boosted power supply so that the dual power supply can be eliminated.

Referring to fig. 4, a first example of the virtual power supply/boost circuit 200 shown in fig. 2 is depicted using a different representation 400, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Different representation 400 shows the parallel capacitance CSHUNT of all devices (e.g., gates, latches, memory) connected to dynamic internal supply node 105 and any additional capacitance C1 optionally included in the virtual power supply/boost circuit. Thus, reference is made to CSHUNTAnd C1 for the following description.

When the (de-asserted) boost clock is released from boosting, i.e., in this example, a low voltage state, the first transistor P1 will output the virtual power supply voltage VDDVClamp (team)p) is the static supply voltage VDDThe value of (c). When the input clock signal is released from being boosted, the second booster transistor N1 has an initial value of the quiescent power supply voltage VDDThe main body of (1). The rising edge of the boost clock boost is capacitively coupled to the terminal of the magnetic inductor ML1 through the gate of the boost transistor N1, and when the boost transistor N1 is turned on, the magnetic inductor ML1 couples the first transistor P1 and the boost transistor N1 to the dynamic internal power supply node 105. Since the current flowing through magnetic inductor ML1 is zero before the rising edge of the boost clock rise, and since the body of boost transistor N1 is at the quiescent supply voltage VDDThus, when the edge of the boost clock boost is coupled to dynamic internal power supply node 105 through magnetic sensor ML1, the rapid increase in current flowing through magnetic sensor ML1 results in a dynamic internal power supply node voltage VDDVRising, the waveform being determined by the series resonance frequency of the magnetic inductor ML1 and the capacitance CSHUNTAnd the capacitance C1. However, since the boosting transistor N1 is also turned on, and the capacitor C is connected in parallelSHUNTAlso in parallel with the leakage and active current of the device connected to dynamic internal supply node 105, therefore, the resonant characteristics of magnetic inductor ML1 with total capacitance such that the conduction of damping and boosting transistor N1 prevents dynamic internal supply node voltage VDDVMuch lower than the static supply voltage VDD. Typically, the internal supply node voltage VDDVShould not be less than VDD-VTIn which V isTIs the threshold voltage of the boost transistor N1.

Referring now to fig. 5, a second example of a virtual power supply/boost circuit 500 is shown that may alternatively be used to implement virtual power supply/boost circuit 120 of integrated circuit 110 of fig. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This example is depicted using a representation similar to that of fig. 3 (i.e., with respect to gate 112, latch 114, and memory 116 shown in fig. 1). Virtual power supply/boost circuit 500 is similar to virtual power supply/boost circuit 300 of fig. 3. Therefore, only the differences between virtual power supply/boost circuit 500 and virtual power supply/boost circuit 300 will be described below. In the virtual power supply/boost circuit 500, an interconnection capacitor C2 is added across (parallel to) the magnetic inductor ML 1. When IN0 dynamically changes and goes high, VDDV will couple to a value above the supply voltage, pushing or boosting the voltage further. Therefore, the interconnection capacitor C2 functions as a boosting capacitor.

Referring to fig. 6, a second example of the virtual power supply/boost circuit 500 shown in fig. 5 is depicted using a different representation 600, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The different representation 600 shows the parallel capacitance C of all devices (e.g., gates, latches, memory) connected to the dynamic internal supply node 105SHUNTAnd any additional capacitance C1 that may optionally be included in the virtual power supply/boost circuit. Similar to fig. 5, an interconnection capacitor C2 is added across (parallel) magnetic inductor ML 1.

Referring now to fig. 7, a third example of a virtual power supply/boost circuit 700 that may alternatively be used to implement virtual power supply/boost circuit 120 of integrated circuit 110 of fig. 1 is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Virtual power supply/boost circuit 700 is similar to virtual power supply/boost circuit 300 of fig. 3, and therefore, only the differences between virtual power supply boost circuit 500 and virtual power supply/boost circuit 300 are described below. In the virtual power supply/booster circuit 700, a magnetic inductor ML1 is connected between a power supply voltage Vdd and the output of the booster 389 (i.e., the output "OUT" (Vddv) of the virtual power supply/booster circuit 700). Thus, one terminal of the magnetic inductor ML1 and the source and drain of the FinFET N1 are commonly connected to the voltage Vdd, while the other terminal of the magnetic inductor ML1 is connected to the voltage Vddv (dynamic internal supply node 105).

Referring to FIG. 8, a third example of the virtual power supply/boost circuit 700 shown in FIG. 7 is depicted using a different representation 800, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The different representation 800 shows the parallel capacitance C of all devices (e.g., gates, latches, memory) connected to the dynamic internal supply node 105SHUNTAnd any additional capacitance C1 that may optionally be included in the virtual power supply/boost circuit. Similar to fig. 6, magnetic inductor ML1 is connected between power supply voltage Vdd and the output of voltage booster 389 (i.e., the output "OUT" (Vddv) of virtual power supply/boost circuit 700).

Referring to fig. 9, a block diagram of an exemplary method 900 for forming a resonant virtual power booster of synchronous logic and other circuits using on-chip integrated magnetic inductors, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

At step 910, a standard front end of line (FEOL) CMOS is fabricated.

At step 920, a standard intermediate line (MOL) is fabricated.

At step 930, a back end of line (BEOL) including inductor contacts is fabricated.

At step 940, a dielectric insulating layer is deposited.

At step 950, a magnetic inductor is fabricated.

Referring to FIG. 10, an exemplary design flow 1000, for example for use in semiconductor IC logic design, simulation, test, layout, and fabrication, is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The design structures processed and/or generated by design flow 1000 may be encoded on a machine-readable transmission or storage medium to include logical, structural, mechanical, or other functionally equivalent representations of hardware components, circuits, devices, or systems that when executed or otherwise processed on a data processing system. A machine includes, but is not limited to, any machine used in the design of an IC, such as a design, fabrication, or simulation circuit, component, device, or system. For example, the machine may include: a lithographic machine, a machine and/or device for generating a mask (e.g., an electron beam writer), a computer or device for simulating a design structure, any device used in the manufacturing or testing process, or any machine for programming a functionally equivalent representation of a design structure into any medium (e.g., a machine for programming a programmable gate array).

Design flow 1000 may vary depending on the representation to be designed. For example, the design flow 1000 for building an application specific ic (asic) may be different from the design flow 1000 for designing standard components, or different from the design flow 1000 for instantiating a design as a programmable array, such as a Programmable Gate Array (PGA) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) provided by Altera corporation or Xilinx corporation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a plurality of such design structures, including an input design structure 1020 that is preferably processed by a design process 1010. Input design structure 1020 may be a logic simulation design structure that is generated and processed by design process 1010 to produce a logically equivalent functional representation of a hardware device. Input design structure 1020 may also or alternatively include data and/or program instructions that, when processed by design process 1010, generate a functional representation of the physical structure of a hardware device. The input design structure 1020, whether representing functional and/or structural design features, may be generated using Electronic Computer Aided Design (ECAD), such as implemented by a core developer/designer. When encoded on a machine-readable data transmission, gate array, or storage medium, input design structure 1020 may be accessed and processed by one or more hardware and/or software modules in design process 1010 to simulate or otherwise functionally represent an electronic component, circuit, electronic or logic module, apparatus, device, or system, such as those shown in fig. 1-8. As such, input design structure 1020 may include files or other data structures, including human-and/or machine-readable source code, compiled structures, and computer-executable code structures, that when processed by a design or simulation data processing system, functionally simulate or otherwise represent a circuit or other level of hardware logic design. Such data structures may include Hardware Description Language (HDL) design entities or other data structures that are consistent and/or compatible with lower level HDL design languages such as Verilog and VHDL and/or higher level design languages such as C or C + +.

Design process 1010 preferably employs and incorporates hardware and/or software modules to synthesize, transform or otherwise process design/simulation functional equivalents of the components, circuits, devices or logic structures illustrated in the figures. 1-8 generate a netlist 1080 that may contain design structures such as input design structure 1020. Netlist 1080 may include, for example, data structures representing a compilation or other process of lists of wires, discrete components, logic gates, control circuits, 1010 devices, models, etc. that describe connections to other components and circuits in an integrated circuit design. Netlist 1080 may be synthesized using an iterative process in which netlist 1080 is resynthesized one or more times according to the design specifications and parameters of the device. As with other design structure types described herein, netlist 1080 may be recorded on a machine-readable data storage medium or programmed into a programmable gate array. The medium may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a magnetic or optical disk drive, a programmable gate array, compact flash, or other flash memory. In addition, or in the alternative, the medium may be a system or cache memory, buffer space, or electrically or optically conductive devices and materials on which data packets may be sent and intermediately stored via the internet or other network appropriate devices.

Design process 1010 may include hardware and software modules for handling various input data structure types, including netlist 1080. These data structure types may reside, for example, in library elements 1030 and include a set of common elements, circuits, and devices, including models, layouts, and symbolic representations, for a given manufacturing technology (e.g., different technology nodes, 32nm, 45nm, 90nm, etc.). The data structure types may also include design specifications 1040, characterization data 1050, verification data 1060, design rules 1070, and test data files 1085, which may include input test patterns, output test results, and other test information. Design process 1010 may further include, for example, standard mechanical design processes such as stress analysis, thermal analysis, mechanical event simulation, process simulation of operations such as casting, molding, and compression molding, and the like. A person having ordinary skill in the art of mechanical design may appreciate the range of possible mechanical design tools and applications that may be used in the design process 1010 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Design process 1010 may also include modules for performing standard circuit design processes such as timing analysis, verification, design rule checking, location and routing operations, and the like.

Design process 1010 employs and incorporates logical and physical design tools, such as HDL compilers and simulation model building tools, to process input design structures 1020 and partially or fully depicted supporting data structures as well as any additional mechanical design or data (as applicable). A second design structure 1090 is generated. Design structure 1090 resides on a storage medium or programmable gate array in a data format for exchanging mechanical device and configuration data (e.g., information stored in IGES, DXF, Parasolid XT, JT, DRG, or any other suitable format for storing or presenting such mechanical design structures). Similar to input design structure 1020, design structure 1090 preferably includes one or more files, data structures, or other computer-encoded data or instructions that reside on transmission or data storage media and that, when processed by an ECAD system, generate one or more logically or functionally equivalent forms of the embodiments of the invention shown in fig. 1-8. In one embodiment, design structure 1090 may include a compiled, executable HDL simulation model that functionally simulates the devices shown in fig. 1-8.

The design structures 1090 may also employ a data format for exchanging layout data and/or symbolic data formats for integrated circuits (e.g., information stored in a GDSII (GDS2), GL1, OASIS, map files, or any other suitable format for storing such design data structures). Design structure 1090 may include information such as symbol data, map files, test data files, design content files, manufacturing data, layout parameters, wires, metal layers, vias, shapes, data for routing through manufacturing lines, and any other data required by a manufacturer or other designer/developer to produce a device or structure as described above and shown in fig. 1-8 and 12-21. Design structure 1090 may then proceed to stage 1095 where, for example, design structure 1090: proceed with payouts, be released to manufacturing, be released to a mask room, be sent to another design room, be sent back to the customer, and so on.

Referring to fig. 11, waveforms within the virtual power supply/boost circuit 300 of fig. 3 are shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At time t0, the boost clock boost rises, turning off transistor P1, causing the voltage on inductor L1 to rise. The boost clock boost is also coupled to the source of boost transistor N1 through the gate of boost transistor N1, further contributing to the dynamic internal supply node voltage VDDVThe voltage of (2) rises. When the boost clock is asserted (asserted) at the next cycle of time t1, the dynamic is already in progress due to inductor L1Partial power supply node voltage VDDVDecoupled from the source of transistor P1, the source terminal of transistor P1 and the source of the boost transistor N1 will be clamped to the static supply voltage VDDAnd dynamic internal power supply node voltage VDDVContinuing to follow a sinusoidal shape, the waveform peaks before the next cancellation (de-assertion) of the boost clock signal boost. As shown in FIG. 11, when the boost clock boost is removed at time t2, the dynamic internal supply node voltage VDDVSubstantially greater than the quiescent supply voltage VDDAnd there is already enough time interval to ensure the setup time of the dynamic circuit, the dynamic circuit will evaluate when the boost clock boost is cancelled. As an example, a digital circuit clock dlck is shown which controls evaluation of the circuit block by the falling edge. An exemplary set interval t is shownSUTo illustrate how the timing of the boost clock boost is controlled relative to another clock that controls logic circuit state evaluation (including memory storage or read) such that the dynamic internal supply node voltage VDDVHas a boost value during critical timing periods during which the boost voltage is increased at the quiescent supply voltage VDDAt a lower value (i.e., without the boost circuit 300) will achieve performance. Virtual power supply/boost circuit 300 not only provides dynamic internal power supply node voltage VDDVBut also the energy required to produce this increase, due to the large parallel capacitance C of all devices connected to the dynamic internal supply node 105SHUNTLargely, internal supply node 105 is stored in inductor L1 for the time before the boost clock boost assertion, and is used to help generate dynamic internal supply node voltage V before the next cancellation of the boost clock boost assertionDDVThe next peak, i.e. the next evaluation.

Fig. 12-21 illustrate an exemplary method 1200 for fabricating a virtual power supply/boost circuit, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. With respect to the method 1200, certain materials have been specified for illustration. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to just the materials mentioned, and thus, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate in view of the teachings of the present invention provided herein that other materials may be used while maintaining the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 12, at step 1205, a wafer substrate 1301 is provided.

Referring to FIG. 13, at step 1210, a front-end-of-line (FEOL)/back-end-of-line (BEOL) layer 1302 for a circuit is formed and a resonant clock circuit 1303 is formed within the FEOL/BEOL layer 1302.

Referring to fig. 14, at step 1215, the sequence is processed to add magnetic inductors. In one embodiment, step 1215 can include, for example, adding a low-k layer or SiO2A dielectric 1304.

Referring to fig. 15, at step 1220, the sequence continues to be processed to add magnetic inductors. In one embodiment, step 1220 may include forming bottom wire layer 1305, for example, by conventional photolithography, followed by etching by metal filling and chemical mechanical polishing.

Referring to fig. 16, the sequence continues to be processed to add magnetic inductors, step 1225. In one embodiment, step 1225 may include, for example, depositing a stack of magnetic materials 1306. In one embodiment, stacked magnetic material 1306 is comprised of cobalt (Co), including the magnetic materials FeTaN and/or FeNi and/or FeAlO and/or any combination thereof, laminated with dielectric materials including, but not limited to, silicon dioxide and/or silicon nitride.

Referring to fig. 17, the sequence continues to be processed to add magnetic inductors, step 1230. In one embodiment, step 1230 may include, for example, patterning the magnetic material. In one embodiment, the patterning of the magnetic material may involve, for example, using an oxide hard mask 1307 and a photolithographic process to form a resist image 1308.

Referring to fig. 18, at step 1235, the sequence continues to be processed to add magnetic inductors. In one embodiment, step 1235 may comprise, for example, further patterning the magnetic material. In one embodiment, the patterning of the magnetic material may include, for example, further using an oxide hard mask 1307 and a photolithography process.

Referring to fig. 19, the sequence continues to be processed to add magnetic inductors, step 1240. In one embodiment, step 1240 may include, for example, depositing dielectric 1308 and planarizing.

Referring to fig. 20, the sequence continues to be processed to add magnetic inductors, at step 1245. In one embodiment, step 1245 can include, for example, forming a contact level that includes contact 1309.

Referring to fig. 21, the sequence continues to be processed to add magnetic inductors in step 1250. In one embodiment, step 1250 may include, for example, forming a top line layer 1310. In one embodiment, the top line level 1310 is formed by depositing a top dielectric 1310A and performing conventional photolithography and etching. The resulting dielectric trenches of the liner, seed and metal plate (collectively 1310b) are filled, and then the metal is planarized to the top surface of dielectric 1310A.

It should be understood that aspects of the present invention will be described in terms of a given illustrative architecture; however, other architectures, structures, substrate materials, and process features and steps may be varied within the scope of aspects of the invention.

It will also be understood that when an element such as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "over" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly over" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

This embodiment may include the design of an integrated circuit chip, which may be created in a graphical computer programming language, and stored in a computer storage medium (e.g., a disk, tape, physical hard drive, or virtual hard drive, such as a storage access network). If the designer does not fabricate chips or the photolithographic masks used to fabricate chips, the designer may transmit the resulting design by physical means (e.g., by providing a copy of the storage medium storing the design) or electronically (e.g., through the Internet) to such entities, directly or indirectly. The stored design is then converted into the appropriate format (e.g., GDSII) for the fabrication of photolithographic masks, which typically include multiple copies of the chip design in question that are to be formed on a wafer. Photolithographic masks are utilized to define areas of the wafer (and/or the layers thereon) for etching or other processing.

The methods described herein may be used to fabricate integrated circuit chips. The resulting integrated circuit chips may be distributed by the manufacturer in raw wafer form (i.e., as a single wafer with multiple unpackaged chips), bare die, or packaged form. In the latter case, the chip is mounted in a single chip package (e.g., a plastic carrier with leads that are affixed to a motherboard or other higher level carrier) or in a multi-chip package (e.g., a ceramic carrier with one or both surface interconnections or buried interconnections). In any case, the chip is then integrated with other chips, discrete circuit elements, and/or other signal processing devices as part of either (a) an intermediate product (e.g., a motherboard) or (b) an end product. The end product may be any product that includes integrated circuit chips, ranging from toys and other low-end applications to advanced computer products having a display, a keyboard or other input device, and a central processor.

It is also understood that the material composition will be described in terms of the listed elements, such as SiGe. These compounds include different ratios of elements in the compound, e.g., SiGe includes SixGe1-x, where x is less than or equal to 1, and so on. In addition, other elements may be included in the compound and still function in accordance with the present principles. Compounds containing additional elements are referred to herein as alloys.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" and other variations thereof means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification, and any other variations, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

It is to be understood that the use of the following "/", "and/or" and "at least one", for example in the case of "a/B", "a and/or B" and "at least one of a and B", is intended to encompass the selection of only the first listed option (a), or only the selection of the second listed option (B), or the selection of both options (a and B). As a further example, in the case of "a, B and/or C" and "at least one of a, B and C", such wording is intended to include selection of only the first listed option (a), or only the second listed option (B), or only the third listed option (C), or only the first and second listed options (a and B), or only the first and third listed options (a and C), or only the second and third listed options (B and C), or all three options (a and B and C). This can be readily extended to any number of the items listed by one of ordinary skill in this and related arts.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Spatially relative terms, such as "below," "above," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature. One or more elements or features as shown. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below … …" can include both an orientation above … … and below … …. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Having described preferred embodiments for systems and methods (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed which are within the scope of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by letters patent is set forth in the appended claims.

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