197 Original scientific paper  MIDEM Society Proficient Static RAM design using Sleepy Keeper Leakage Control Transistor & PT-Decoder for handheld application Pousia. S. 1 , Manjith. R. 2 1 PG scholar, Dr. Sivanthi Aditanar College of Engineering, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, India 2 Associate Professor, Dr.Sivanthi Aditanar College of Engineering, Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, India Abstract: Due to their large storage capacity and small access time static random access memory (SRAM) has become a vital part in numerous VLSI chips. Low power adequate memory configuration is a standout among the most challenging issues in SRAM design. As the technology node scaling down, leakage power utilization has turned into a noteworthy issue. In this paper a novel power gating technique, namely sleepy keeper leakage control transistor technique (SK-LCT) is proposed for a handheld gadget application. The SRAM architecture has two primary components, specifically SRAM cell and sense amplifier. The proposed SK-LCT technique is applied in both SRAM cell and sense amplifier for a new low power high speed SRAM architecture design. The outline of SRAM architecture utilizing pass transistor decoder (PT-Decoder) gives better outcomes in term of power. Simulation is done using Tanner EDA tool in 180nm technology and the results demonstrate a noteworthy change in leakage power utilization and speed. Keywords: SRAM; SK-LCT Technique; sense amplifier; Tanner EDA; Leakage Power Načrtovanje učinkovitega statičenega RAMa z uporabo tranzistorja za kontrolo uhajalne moči z ohranjanjem stanja in PT dekoderja za ročne aplikacije Izvleček: Zaradi visoke pomnilne kapacitete in kratkih dostopnih časov so statični pomnilniki z naključnim dostopom (SRAM) postali bistveni del VLSI čipov. Nizka moč zadostne konfiguracije pomnilnika je ena od najzahtevnejših problemov v zasnovi SRAM. V članku je predstavljena nova tehnika uporabe tranzistorja za nadzor uhajanja moči z ohranjanjem stanja (SK-LCT) za uporabo v ročnih aplikacijah. Arhitektura SRAM ima dve primarni komponenti, SRAM calico in tipalni ojačevalnik. Predlagana tehnika SK-LCT se uporablja tako v celici SRAM kakor v tipalnem ojačevalniku za novo zasnovano arhitekturo SRAM z nizko močjo. Okvir arhitekture SRAM, ki uporablja prehodni tranzistorski dekoder (PT-dekoder), ki daje boljše rezultate v smislu moči. Simulacija se izvaja z orodjem Tanner EDA v tehnologiji 180 nm, rezultati pa kažejo na opazno spremembo v kontroli uhajanja in hitrosti. Ključne besede: SRAM; SK-LCT tehnika; tipalni ojačevalnik; Tanner EDA; uhajalna moč * Corresponding Author’s e-mail: manjith@drsacoe.com Journal of Microelectronics, Electronic Components and Materials Vol. 48, No. 4(2018), 197 – 203 1 Introduction Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) is the way towards incorporating a million of transistors inside a single mi- crochip. Quick advancement in the VLSI design process brings about the expansion of densities of the integrat- ed circuit [1]. With the progression of innovation that are occurring in the universe, the demand for large stor- age of data is increasing in a way that needs to be faster than the current advancement [2]. At the same time, increment of power dissipation has ended up the ma- jor impediment against the further advancement of VLSI circuits. In a computing framework, power utilization because of the memory gets to frequently constitute a prevailing part of the aggregate power utilization [3]. https://doi.org/10.33180/InfMIDEM2018.401 198 Pousia. S.et al; Informacije Midem, Vol. 48, No. 4(2018), 197 – 203 Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) is a critical part in the vast majority of the VLSI chips; it regularly ex- pends a prevailing part of power in each chip. By de- creasing the power of SRAM, the overall power of chips can be diminished. Because of the quadratic connec- tion amongst power and supply voltage of transistors [4]; one of the most compelling strategies to diminish the power utilization is by lessening the supply volt- age. The strong demand of SRAM memory in handheld gadgets, system on-chip (SoC) & high performance VLSI circuits, the reduction of power utilization is im- perative. Owing to high bit-line swing requirement, the leakage power utilization of memory circuit is high. Sleep technique, stack technique, sleepy stack technique, sleepy keeper technique, lector technique, foot switch technique & double switch technique are probably the most regularly utilized power gating for leakage power reduction. To overcome the drawback of the above existing method, a novel strategy is rec- ommended. In computerized frameworks, instructions are conveyed by means of binary levels. The decoder is broadly utilized in memory framework to change over n-bit twofold input code into m yield lines. The address input code from the central processor is utilized to trig- ger the memory storage location assigned by address code [5]. Low power consumption is essentially crucial param- eter, so pass transistor based decoders have been used due to the low leakage and dynamic switching currents. Among the overall power consumption of memory circuit, static power dissipation plays an predominant role. (2) A novel power gating technique, namely SK- LCT technique (Sleepy keeper Leakage Control Transis- tor Technique) is proposed in order to reduce the static power dissipation. SK-LCT technique is the combina- tion of sleepy keeper and LECTOR technique which is employed in the design of SRAM cell and sense am- plifier. The SRAM architecture using a SK-LCT method and pass transistor decoder (PT-decoder) has several advantages over the ordinary SRAM’s design with high speed and low power consumption. (1) 2 Literature survey During standby mode, a large portion of the power is squandered in SRAM design; since leakage power ma- neuvers an overwhelming part in SRAM power utiliza- tion. SRAM cell, sense amplifier & decoder are the indis- pensable portion of memory design. Improper design of these elements contributes to influence the robust- ness of the memory device. Both memory access time and memory power dissipation are emphatically af- fected by a sense amplifier circuitry. The power gating technique such as sleep technique, stack technique, sleepy stack technique, sleepy keeper technique & lec- tor technique are utilized to shrink the static power of the SRAM cell. In order to diminish leakage power & de- lay of sense amplifier; latch-type sense amplifier is de- signed using a foot switch technique & double switch Technique. In sleep technique, “PMOS-S” sleep transistor is em- bedded between VDD & pull up network and “NMOS- S BAR” sleep transistor is embedded between the pull down network & ground. The wake up time of the sleep method has a considerable impact on the competence of the circuit [6]. Stack technique is state maintenance technique with the detriment of increased delay and area [7]. The divided transistor of sleepy stack tech- nique increases the delay drastically & also limits the convenience of this technique [8]. In Sleepy Keeper Technique parallel connected PMOS and NMOS tran- sistor is embedded between pull up network & VDD and pull down network & ground. Lector technique has two leakage control transistors (LCT1 &LCT2) which are inserted between the pull up & pull down network. It has a very low leakage power which results in a delay penalty [9]. The data retention issue occurs in the cir- cuit, which can be minimized by placing sleep transis- tor [10]. The footer switch voltage latch sense amplifier (FS- VLSA) senses the voltage difference between the bit line voltage & bit line bar voltage and amplifies it to rail yield voltages. The footer switch current latch sense amplifier (FS-CLSA) senses the current difference pro- duced by ΔVBL and amplifies it. By introducing an extra head switch (i.e. Double Switch PMOS Access & Double Switch NMOS Access) the invalid current paths in FS- VLSA can be expelled which introducing a complemen- tary sense enable signal. Double switch transmission access-voltage latch sense amplifier (DSTA-VLSA) is used to remove the sensing dead zone of the memory [11]. Based on the specific combination of input levels, the decoder is initiated. The most commonly utilized de- coders in the design of SRAM architecture are AND decoder, NOR decoder, pseudo NMOS decoder. The speed of the AND decoder is more proficient than other decoders with the disadvantage of high power consumption. The design of decoder using NOR gate prompts low power consumption with increased time lag. In pseudo-NMOS decoder static power dissipation dominates the circuit. There is an indigence of a novel power gating tech- nique & the decoder circuitry to overcome the disad- vantages of the above issue in SRAM architecture. By 199 appropriate outline of SRAM cell, sense amplifier & de- coder; the general execution of memory design can be advanced. 3 SK-LCT technique & PT decoder SRAM architecture comprises of SRAM cell, sense am- plifier, precharge circuit, row/ column decoder and write driver circuit. A novel sleepy keeper leakage control transistor technique (SK-LCT Technique) is pro- posed in order to design SRAM cell and sense amplifier circuitry. The decoder using pass transistor gives bet- ter outcomes in terms of static power. The SRAM archi- tecture for handheld gadget application is designed using the SK-LCT method and pass transistor decoder (PT-decoder) has a few favorable circumstances over the conventional SRAM’s outline with high speed and low power consumption. 3.1 Sleepy Keeper Leakage Control Transistor Technique (SK-LCT Technique) To overcome the problem in SRAM architecture, a nov- el SK-LCT Technique is applied. The delay & power of the SRAM architecture can be further scaled down and the data retention can be preserved using this novel technique. (3) Figure1: SK-LCT Technique Fig.1 illustrates the sleepy keeper leakage control tran- sistor technique (SK-LCT Technique). Here, leakage control transistor (PMOS-LCT & NMOS-LCT) is placed in between pull up & pull down network. Both PMOS and NMOS are tied up parallel to preserve the stable reten- tion in standby mode. The PMOS-LCT gate is associated with the drain of pull down network and NMOS –LCT gate is associated with the drain of pull up network. Hither, the sleep PMOS (S) transistor is put beneath VDD and sleep NMOS (S BAR) transistor is set over the ground. In sleep mode, parallel connected NMOS is the only terminal between pull up network & VDD and parallel connected PMOS is the only terminal between pull down network & ground. Sleep transistors cutoffs the power rails when the circuit is not in use while the state of circuit is saved by keeper transistors. This leads to the reduction of static power dissipation of memory circuit. The SRAM cell and sense amplifier are the two main fundamental components of SRAM Architec- ture; by outlining SRAM cell and sense amplifier using sleepy keeper-leakage control transistor (SK-LCT) tech- nique low power high speed memory architecture can be obtained. 3.2 Pass Transistor Decoder (PT-Decoder) Pass transistor decoder frequently requires less power consumption, runs faster and utilizes fewer transistors than a similar function implemented in complemen- tary CMOS logic. The leakage power dissipation of PT- decoder is completely arrested. Fig. 2 demonstrates the pass transistor decoder. Figure 2: PT-Decoder In memory design, the decoder is used to translate the given address and enable the particular row & column of the memory cluster. Row and column pass decoder is utilized to enable word line and write enable of a SRAM array. Based on the address line, specific memory cell is chosen and the data is read and written in the memory array. 4 Proficient static ram architecture The low power and high speed SRAM architecture is outlined using sleepy keeper leakage control transistor (SK-LCT Technique) & pass transistor decoder. Fig. 3 il- lustrates the block diagram of SRAM architecture using the SK-LCT Technique & PT decoder. Initially, precharge Pousia. S.et al; Informacije Midem, Vol. 48, No. 4(2018), 197 – 203 200 both the bit lines (BL & BLB) by using a precharge cir- cuit. The storage location inside the memory devices are selected by the pass transistor decoder. By enabling the word line (WL) of the SRAM cell using PT-decoder, the data either ‘0’ or ‘1’ is stored. If data ‘1’ is written in SRAM cell, BLB automatically discharges to ‘0’ & BL re- mains high and vice-versa. Sense amplifier boosts the data in SRAM cell and acts as a read part circuitry. No change in the memory cell takes place during hold op- eration. Figure 3: SRAM Architecture Table 1 demonstrates the read and write operation of SRAM architecture. When word line (WL) and write enable circuitry (WE) is enabled, previous data is modi- fied and new data is written in the memory. When ei- ther word Line (WL) or write enable circuitry (WE) is disabled, the previous data is hold in the memory. No change in the memory takes place during hold opera- tion. Table 1: Read and Write operation of SRAM WRITE OPERATION READ OPERATION WRITE ‘1’ Q=0, Q-bar=1 Word Line=1 Bit bar=0 Bit =1 READ ‘1’ Precharge both the bit lines Word line=1 Bit bar=0 (dis- charges to 0) Bit=1 WRITE ‘0’ Q=1, Q-bar=0 Word Line=1 Bit bar=1 Bit =0 READ ‘0’ Precharge both the bit lines Word line=1 Bit bar=1 Bit =0 (discharges to 0) 4.1 Design of SRAM cell using the SK-LCT Technique SRAM cell is designed using the SK-LCT Technique to reduce the leakage power dissipation of memory. Fig. 4 illustrates SRAM cell the using the SK-LCT Technique. When word line (WL) is asserted high, access transistors are turned ‘ON’ for write operation. This connects the cell to two complementary bit lines columns (BL &BLB) and the data either ‘1’ or ‘0’ is written in the memory cell. When WL=0, SRAM cell is being inaccessible from both bit lines; keeping it in standby mode. This keeps prior stored value in the cell unchanged.(5) Figure 4: SRAM cell using SK-LCT Technique 4.2 Design of Sense Amplifier using the SK-LCT Technique The power and delay of the voltage latch sense amplifi- er (VLSA) is reduced using SK-LCT Technique. Here, the additional transmission gate is inserted along with bit lines. During read mode, the PMOS sleep transistor(S) is activated to high and the NMOS sleep transistor(S-BAR) is activated to low; thus turning on the transmission gate and switching off the PMOS transistor whereas in standby mode the transmission gate is turned off and PMOS transistor turns on. Fig.5 illustrates voltage latch type sense amplifier using SK-LCT Technique.(6) Figure 5: Sense Amplifier using SK-LCT Technique Pousia. S.et al; Informacije Midem, Vol. 48, No. 4(2018), 197 – 203 201 4.3 Design of SRAM architecture using the SK-LCT Technique & PT-decoder Fig:6 illustrates 4 bit SRAM architecture using the SK- LCT Technique and PT-decoder for handheld gadget application. Each column has a single precharge circuit in the memory array to precharge both bit lines (BL & BLB) to VDD during read and write operation. The ad- dress line of the memory is activated using row/column PT-decoder. SRAM cell using the SK-LCT Technique di- minishes the leakage power dissipation of memory. When the word line (WL) is high, NMOS access transis- tors are turned ‘ON’ for write operation. This interfaces the cell to two complementary bit lines and the data ei- ther ‘1’ or ‘0’ is written in the memory cell. When WL=0, SRAM cell is inaccessible from both bit lines (BL & BLB). The write enable (WE) signal is turned on; when the write operation is intended. Otherwise, the WE signal isolates the bit lines from write drivers. The voltage dif- ference between both the bit lines (BL&BLB) of voltage latch sense amplifier (VLSA) is sensed and amplifies the small voltage signal in the bit lines to conspicuous logic levels. Figure 6: 16 bit SRAM architecture using SK-LCT Tech- nique & PT-decoder 5 Results & discussion The low power, high speed SRAM architecture is out- lined using sleepy keeper leakage control transistor (SK-LCT Technique) & PT-decoder. The entire work is conveyed using Tanner EDA 180nm technology. The simulation result indicates the examination of various parameters like power consumption, leakage power and delay. 5.1 SRAM cell using the SK-LCT Technique SRAM cell is designed using the SK-LCT technique to diminish the leakage power and improve the speed of the memory. If WL=1 and bit lines BL=1 (remains high, i.e. ‘1’) & BLB=0 (remains low, i.e. ‘0’), data ‘1’ is written in the SRAM cell. If WL=1 & bit lines BLB=1(remains high, i.e. ‘1’) & BL=0 (remains low, i.e. ‘0’), data ‘0’ is written in the SRAM cell. Fig.7 illustrates the simulation waveform of SRAM cell using the SK-LCT Technique Figure 7: Simulation waveform for SRAM cell using SK- LCT Technique Table 2 demonstrates the correlation of SRAM cell with power gating technique and without power gating technique. By utilizing the existing technique the static power and delay of the SRAM cell can be upgraded. A new power gating technique, namely SK-LCT Tech- nique is proposed which saves 57.53% of static power (7) and 44.70% of delay compared to SRAM cell with- out power gating. Table 2: Performance comparison of the SRAM cell SRAM CELL POWER DELAY WITHOUT POWER GATING 106.7 nW 1.0934ns WITH POWER GATING Sleep Technique 45.83 nW 0.7924ns Stack Technique 95.86nW 0.9556ns Sleepy stack Technique 68.58nW 1.0019ns Sleepy keeper Technique 89.18nW 1.0575ns LECTOR Tech- nique 57.04nW 0.7069ns SK-LCT Tech- nique 45.33nW 0.6041ns 5.2 Sense amplifier using the SK-LCT Technique The voltage difference between both the bit lines (i.e. BL & BLB complement to each other) of the voltage latch sense amplifier (VLSA) is sensed and amplifies the small voltage signal in the bit lines to conspicuous logic levels. The data in memory cluster are greatly dimin- ished & unstable, which can be boosted by using the amplifier circuitry. The simulation waveform for voltage latch sense amplifier using the SK-LCT Technique is il- lustrated in Fig.8 Pousia. S.et al; Informacije Midem, Vol. 48, No. 4(2018), 197 – 203 202 Figure 8: Simulation waveform for sense amplifier us- ing the SK-LCT Technique The Table 3 demonstrates the correlation of sense am- plifier with power gating technique and without power gating technique. By using the existing technique the power and delay of the sense amplifier can be reduced. A novel technique, namely SK-LCT Technique is pro- posed which saves 93.65% of static power (7) and 95.26% of delay contrasted to a differential sense am- plifier. Table 3: Performance comparison of the Sense ampli- fier SENSE AMPLIFIER POWER DELAY WITHOUT POWER GATING Differential Sense Amplifier 0.9034µW 4.2953ns WITH POWER GATING Footer Switch- VLSA 0.1556µW 0.25325ns Footer Switch- CLSA 0.8592µW 0.25328ns DSPA -VLSA 0.1708µW 0.25325ns DSNA -VLSA 0.6003µW 0.25325ns DSTA -VLSA 0.1401µW 0.23605ns SK-LCT Technique(VLSA) 0.0573µW 0.20328ns 5.3 PT-decoder Based on the address line, particular memory cell is chosen and the data is read and written in the memory cluster. In memory design, the decoder is used to de- code the given address and enable the particular row or column of the memory array. Row and column de- coder is used to enable word line (WL) and write enable (WE). The speed of the PT–decoder is more proficient than other decoders with the advantage of low power consumption. The simulation waveform of pass transis- tor decoder is illustrated in Fig. 9. Figure 9: Simulation waveform for PT-decoder Table 4 demonstrates the comparison of 2:4 decoder. The PT-decoder is more efficient both in power con- sumption & speed compared to other decoder. Table 4: Performance comparison of Decoder DECODER (2:4) POWER DELAY AND Decoder 0.95229 mW 8.5113ps NOR Decoder 0.23732 mW 29.990ns Pseudo NMOS Decoder 11.1572 mW 25.206ps Pass Transistor Decoder (PT-decoder) 8.33171 nW 1.9717ns 5.4 SRAM architecture using SK-LCT technique & PT-decoder Figure 10: Simulation waveform for SRAM architecture 4 bit, 16 bit & 64 bit SRAM architectures are designed using the proposed SK-LCT technique & PT-decoder provides considerable reduction in leakage power and delay. Fig.10 illustrates the simulation waveform of SRAM architecture using write and read mode. By ena- bling the PT-decoder, data is written in any one of the memory cell (SRAM cell) and remaining SRAM cell is in hold mode (shut down mode). (4) The data is read by sense amplifier circuitry. Pousia. S.et al; Informacije Midem, Vol. 48, No. 4(2018), 197 – 203 203 Table 5: Performance comparison of SRAM architec- ture SRAM architec- ture Without SK-LCT Technique & PT-Decoder With SK-LCT Tech- nique & PT-Decoder POWER DELAY POWER DELAY 4bit 37.422µW 25.458ns 9.7465µW 11.794ns 16 bit 53.526µW 46.736ns 13.615µW 22.571ns 64 bit 94.63µW 92.219ns 29.607µW 47.383ns Table 5 demonstrates the performance comparison of 4 bit, 16 bit & 64 bit SRAM architecture using sleepy keeper leakage control transistor & PT decoder. The power & delay of memory architecture are limited us- ing this novel technique. About, 68.71% of static pow- er (7) & 44.83% of delay is reduced, which is more at- tractive than conventional SRAM architecture design. 6 Conclusion SRAM cell design using the novel SK-LCT technique saves 57.53% of power and 44.70% of delay. Similar- ly, the sense amplifier design using the novel SK-LCT technique saves 93.65% of power and 95.26% of delay compared to conventional method. 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