Multi-frequency resonant clocks

Abstract

Abstract-Clock distribution networks consume a significant portion of total chip power in high-performance designs. Resonant clocks are one proposed method to lower this power in modern designs as well as a fewer required clock buffers. Recent resonant solutions are limited to optimal performance at one particular frequency which is problematic since dynamic frequency scaling is often used to lower overall system power. This paper introduces the first scheme to produce a clock distribution network with a tunable resonant frequency. Experimental results show the resonant frequency ranges from 1.2GHz to 2.6GHz while saving up to 41% of the power on the clock distribution network when compared to the non-resonant distribution.