Design of resonant global clock distributions

Abstract

This paper presents a new approach to global clock distribution in which traditional tree-driven grids are augmented with on-chip inductors to resonate the clock capacitance at the fundamental frequency of the clock node. Rather than being dissipated as heat, the energy of the fundamental resonates between electric and magnetic forms. The clock drivers must only provide the energy necessary to overcome losses. As a result, power reduction of over 80% is possible depending on the Q of the resonant system. Clock latency is also improved because the effective capacitance of the grid is lower, and fewer buffer stages are necessary to drive the grid. Skew and jitter reductions come about because of this reduced buffer latency.