The SDC cell-A novel design methodology for high-speed arithmetic modules using CMOS/BiCMOS precharged circuits

The shielded dynamic complex-gate (SDC) cell is a cell-based design methodology for generating high-speed modules or macrocells using precharged circuit technology. In order to achieve ultrafast operation, a BiCMOS precharged circuit has been developed. This circuit is about 1.5 to 2.0 times faster than the conventional CMOS precharged circuit. The effect of alpha-particle injection under low-voltage operation has been studied, and CMOS/BiCMOS precharged circuits with alpha-particle-induced noise suppression have been proposed. A 32-b arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) utilizing a BiCMOS SDC cell designed and fabricated with 0.5- μm BiCMOS technology is discussed. The application of the SDC cell design to a mainframe execution unit (parallel adder) is also described.