A Low-Power and High-Stability 8T SRAM Cell with Diode-Connected Transistors

Abstract

This research paper proposes a low-power, high-stability 8T static random access memory (SRAM) cell. The proposed SRAM cell is a modified structure of the conventional 6T SRAM cell. The introduction of two diode-connected transistors in the pull-down network of the conventional 6T SRAM cell gives the proposed 8T SRAM cell structure. The presence of diode-connected transistors improves the power and noise performances of the proposed cell as compared to those of the conventional bit cells. The power consumption and static noise margin (SNM) of the suggested SRAM cell are calculated for write, hold and read operations. Also, the write and read delays of the proposed and conventional bit cells are observed. The power, speed, noise margin and area of the proposed 8T SRAM cell are compared with those of some of the existing SRAM cells. In comparison to conventional SRAM cells, the proposed cell consumes less power and has higher stability, according to the study. A novel dual-supply ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V or 200[Formula: see text]mV) concept is applied for the existing and proposed SRAM cells. The noise and power performances of SRAM cells are well improved under the condition of dual supply as compared to the conventional supply voltage ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V). A [Formula: see text] memory array of the proposed 8T SRAM cell is formed and the performance of the array structure is compared with that of [Formula: see text] array of the conventional 6T SRAM cell. The layouts of existing and proposed SRAM cells are illustrated. The simulation is carried out using the Cadence Virtuoso simulation EDA tool in 90-nm CMOS technology.