A Power Aware Design Technique for High Performance Self-Timed Datapaths

Abstract

The aim of this research attempts to explore a power aware design technique for high-speed self-timed datapaths using DCVSL circuits. The study involved a survey, comprised of three completion detection techniques and two well-known self-timed implementations using dynamic logics. Then we reveal a self-timed datapath design technique that encloses the functional block within the proposed self-timed wrapper that communicates using four-phase handshaking. Experimental results of this study showed an average about 20% less power when the single-level functional blocks are implemented using our wrapper. Approximately 35% power reduction is obtained when a multi-level functional block, a 4-stage carry chain, is realized. Obviously, the findings indicate that the proposed self-timed wrapper is not merely excellent for small-size self-timed module creation but even better for more realistic self-timed datapaths development.