Moonrake chip - GALS demonstrator in 40 nm CMOS technology

Abstract

In this paper we present for the first time a complex GALS ASIC demonstrator in 40 nm CMOS process. This chip, named Moonrake, compares synchronous and GALS synchronization technology in a homogeneous experimental setting: same baseline designs, same manufacturing process, same die. The chip validates GALS technology for both point-to-point and network-centric on-chip communications, demonstrating its potentials for different applications.