SET Susceptibility Analysis of Clock Tree and Clock Mesh Topologies

Abstract

Clock distribution networks represent one of the most important signals in a synchronous integrated circuit, this signal may be altered by radiation effects and generate an abnormal behavior in the system. In this work we analyzed two types of clock distribution network using the same circuit to know which of one is more sensitive to radiation threats. Using a case study we compare clock tree with clock mesh. Finally we found that clock mesh topology is more sensitive to radiation effects in comparison with traditional tree distribution. This may occur because clock mesh has a uniform distribution of capacitance and this allows a good distribution of the signal even to transient pulse.

DLWUC: Distance and Load Weight Updated Clustering-Based Clock Distribution for SOC Architecture

“…Chipana et al [14] analyzed the two types of CDN to investigate the sensitivity to the radiation threats. The comparison between the clock mesh and clock tree showed that the clock mesh has the higher sensitivity to the radiation threats.…”

Cost-effective SET-tolerant clock distribution network design by mitigating single event transient propagation

“…In the deep submicron regime, CDNs contribute significantly to the chip-level soft error rate (SER) [2] and radiation particle strikes on the CDN can prove to be catastrophic [3]. Abnormal behaviors in the whole system may be generated if the clock signal is altered by radiation effects [4,5]. To mitigate and avoid mistaken data latching or failure of the whole circuit system caused by SETs on the clock signal, efficient hardening techniques for the CDN should be proposed.…”