Design Flow Based on Sensitivity Analysis for High-speed Digital Circuits

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to develop a design flow for high-speed digital circuits that may be used to increase the quality of circuit performance and improve the ability of inexperienced circuit designers. This design flow meshes the use of hand and simulation analysis to increase intuitive understanding of the dominant relationships and most significant circuit parameters that determine performance. The research relies heavily on determining the sensitivity of chosen performance measures to variation in selected circuit parameters, such as transistor gate width. Four detailed examples that follow the generalized design flow are included to illustrate practical application. The examples consist of the following circuits: source-follower, gate-isolated voltage sense-amplifier, Schmidt trigger, and dual-rail domino logic gate. The examples include design specifications, topology advantages and disadvantages, a suggested design approach, and detailed sensitivity analysis including quantitative simulation results supporting drawn conclusions.