A Current-Mode Logic for Low-Voltage, High-Speed Mixed-Mode VLSI Circuits

Abstract

A wired-AND current-mode logic (WCML) circuit is designed for high performance mixed analog and digital system designs on a common silicon substrate, using standard CMOS process. Current is used for digital information carrier in order to be able to reduce supply voltage, power consumption, digital switching noise and to increase operating frequency. The WCML circuit uses current-steering technique. It is composed of a simple current mirror with a current injector. Wired-AND connections cause the logic circuit to operate as a NAND logic gate which provides to implement any boolean function. High-speed is achieved by varying the injection current level even at low-voltage supply (<1.5 V) with low-power consumption.