JANAAAA
`US005291076A
`.
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,291,076
`119)
`United States Patent
`
`
`Bridges et al. Mar. 1, 1994aa[45] Date of Patent:
`
`[54] DECODER/COMPARATOR AND METHOD
`OF OPERATION
`[75]
`Inventors:
`Jeffrey T. Bridges; Jeffrey E.
`Maguire; Paul C. Rossbach, all of
`Austin; Tex:
`{73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg,IIl.
`.
`[21] Appl. No.: 937,018
`[22] Filed:
`Aug. 31, 1992
`[51] Ent, CS ner HO3K 19/0948; HO3K 19/096
`[52) WSL,
`.....sacsmemsrarenos 307/449; 307/452;
`Fees
`"307/481
`[58] Field of Search ............ 307/452, 449, 443, 480,
`307/475, 481
`
`{56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,086,500 4/1978 Suzuki et al. cesses 307/449
`4.401.903
`8/1983 HZUKA soccceecoecccccccccceecee 307/449
`
`4,567,581
`1/1986 Dumbri et al. oo
`csecsscconee 307/449
`
`§,015,882
`5/1991 Houston et al. oi... 307/452
`5,065,048 11/1991 Asai et ab. occsessecerees 307/542
`
`Primary Examiner—Edward P. Westin
`Assistant Examiner—Benjamin D. Driscoll
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lee E. Chastain
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A precharge device (28) has a first (30) and a second
`node (32), a transistor tree (29), a screening transistor
`(Q20) and clocking circuitry (Q17, Q18, Q19). The
`transistor tree (29) couples the first (30) and the second
`(32) node andis operable to electrically short-circuit the
`ROdes according to input signals (A1, Az, As). The
`Screening transistor (Q20) has a first and a second
`[source-drain region] current electrode and a [gate]
`control electrode. Thefirst [source-drain region] cur-
`rent electrode is coupled to a third node (34), the second
`[source-drain region] current electrode is coupled to the
`second node (32) and the [gate] control electrode is
`coupled to the first node (30). The clocking circuitry
`eaeie precharges the first (30)-ané third floges (3%)
`o a first known voltage level and evaluates the voltage
`«on thefirst node (30) to outputa logic level.
`
`15 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`CLOCK
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1008
`
`APPLE 1008
`
`1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 1, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`5,291,076
`
`
`
`CLOCK
`
`Ao
`
`As
`
`10
`FITG.1
`—PRIOR ART-
`
`
`
`CLOCK1
`
`Ay
`A2
`A3
`CLOCK2
`
`CLOCK
`
`Ag
`A3
`
`Le3w3weu
`
`._ > * amuad
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.1, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`5,291,076
`
`VOLTAGE
`
`Vpp
`
`A NODE 34
`
`(Vpp- Vt) VenD
`
`38 —PRECHARGESs —EVALUATE+!
`FIG.4
`
`t
`
`VOLTAGE
`
`NODE 30
`Vpp ee
`
`(Vpp— Vt ) VeND
`
`40 |+—prEcHARGE—»}.—EVALUATE—>|
`FIG.5S
`
`t
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 1, 1994
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`5,291,076
`
`9EZz0fLO
`
`aga
`
`fan.
`
`INdino4Le
`
`
`
`by
`
`zy
`
`fy.
`
`4
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,291,076
`
`2
`ond implementation uses the complementsofthe inputs
`and a second function. DeMorgan’s law allows the
`designer to restructure the tree of the first function to
`produce a tree for the second function. The second
`function is the first function’s complement.
`Althoughlogically equivalent, each of the two possi-
`ble implementations of a precharge device has its own
`disadvantage. Specifically,
`the more transistors con-
`nected in series within the tree, the slower the perfor-
`mance of the precharge device. This disadvantageis
`typically associated with a precharge device that dis-
`charges the charged node when its function is true.
`Conversely, a precharge device that evaluates to the
`inactive state generates an output unacceptable to many
`types of circuits. This disadvantage is typically associ-
`ated with a precharge device that discharges the
`charged node whenits functionis false.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`15
`
`DECODER/COMPARATOR AND METHOD OF
`OPERATION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention generally relates to digital
`The present
`computing systems, and morespecifically to precharge
`devices.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`Precharge devices are synchronouslogic circuits that
`generate an output depending upon a predetermined
`combinationof inputs. Precharge devices are character-
`ized by twostates, precharge and evaluate. In the pre-
`chargestate, a node is charged to a knownorpredeter-
`mined voltage level. In the evaluate state, an array or
`“tree” of transistors is given the opportunity to dis-
`charge the node to a second knownor predetermined
`voltage level or to allow the charge to persist. Each
`input signal is connected, typically, to a gate of one or
`more ofthe transistors in the tree. The final charge on
`the node may thereby be controlled by the particular
`values of the inputs and the way in which thetransistors
`are connected within the tree. The final voltage at the
`node, high or low,acts as the output of the precharge
`device after being suitably buffered and, perhaps, in-
`verted. The twostates of a precharge device each cor-
`respondto one of the two logic states of a clock signal
`cycle to which the precharge device is synchronized.
`Typically, a precharge device precharges the node
`whenthe clock is low and evaluates the node when the
`clock is high.
`Two common uses for precharge devices are as de-
`coders and as comparators. Decoders output a unique
`signal if and only if all of the bits of an input match a
`predetermined set of values. A decoder may thereby
`enable a particular write line in a matrix of memory
`cells if and only if an input memory address matches the
`predetermined address of a line of memory cells to
`which the decoder is connected. Similarly, a compara-
`tor will output a uniquesignal if and only if two inputs,
`each containing multiple data bits, are identical.
`The particular way the inputs are combined within
`the tree of a precharge device determinesthe particular
`operating characteristics and, hence,
`the particular
`name of the precharge device. As described above, if
`the treedischarges the charged nodeif and only if the
`input bits match a single set of predetermined values,
`then the precharge device is a decoder. Any Boolean
`function can be implemented as a precharge device by
`constructing the tree such that the tree causes the pre-
`charge device to discharge when the Boolean function
`is either true or false, as needed by the designer. Logi-
`cally,it is irrelevant whethera tree allows the charge in
`a precharge device to persist when the Boolean func-
`tion is true or to persist when the function is false.
`Each precharge device can be implemented in one of
`two logically equivalent ways. The two implementa-
`tions correspond to a tree that discharges the charged
`node when the Boolean fucntion is true and to a tree
`that discharges the charged node when the Boolean
`function is false. When the precharge device discharges
`the node if the Boolean function is true, it is said to
`“evaluate to the active state.” When the precharge
`device discharges the node if the Boolean function is
`false, it is said to “evaluate to the inactivestate.” One of
`these implementations usesits inputs directly connected
`in a manner to describe a particular function. The sec-
`
`In accordance with the present invention, there is
`disclosed a unitransitional precharge device and
`method of operation which substantially eliminates
`disadvantages of prior precharge devices.
`A precharge device has a first and a second node, a
`transistor tree, a screening transistor and clocking cir-
`cuitry. The transistor tree couples the first and the sec-
`ond nodes and is operable to electrically short-circuit
`the nodes according to input signals. The screening
`transistor has a first and a second current electrode and
`a control electrode. Thefirst current electrode is cou-
`pled to a third node, the second current electrode is
`coupled to the second node and the control electrode is
`coupledto the first node. The clocking circuitry alter-
`nately precharges the first and third nodes to a first
`known voltage level and evaluates the voltage on the
`first node to output a logic level.
`A method of decoding a plurality of inputs is also
`described comprising the steps of precharging a first
`and a second nodeto a first known voltage ata first time
`and evaluating the voltage on thefirst node at a second
`time. Thefirst node. and a third node are coupled to a
`transistor tree. The tree is operableto electrically short-
`circuit the two nodes responsive to input signals. The
`second nodeis coupled to a first current electrode of a
`screening transistor. The screening transistor also has a
`second current electrode and a control electrode. The
`control electrode of the screening transistor is coupled
`to the first node and the second current electrode of the
`screening transistor is coupled to the third node.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The features and advantagesof the present invention
`will be more clearly understood from the following
`detailed description taken in conjunction with the ac-
`companying Figures where like numerals refer to like
`and corresponding parts and in which:
`FIG. 1 depicts a partial schematic diagram of a de-
`coder knownin the art implemented as a NANDgate;
`FIG.2 depicts a partial schematic diagram of a de-
`coder known in the art implemented as a NOR gate;
`FIG. 3 depicts a partial schematic diagram of a pre-
`charge device constructed according to the disclosed
`invention;
`FIG.4 depicts a timing diagram in graphical form of
`the precharge device depicted in FIG. 3 in an unse-
`lected state;
`
`40
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`5
`
`

`

`3
`FIG. 5 depicts a timing diagram in graphical form of
`the precharge device depicted in FIG.3 in a selected
`state; and
`FIG.6 depicts a partial schematic diagram of a com-
`parator incorporating the invention depicted in FIG. 3.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The tree within a precharge device designed as a
`decoderis illustrative of the design compromise necessi-
`tated by selecting one tree implementation over the
`other. A decodertreeis either designed as NAND gate
`or as NORgate. These implementations are dictated by
`two design goals. First, a decoder tree must generate a
`certain output signal given only one combination of
`input bits. Second,all precharge devices must trigger
`only when the Boolean function embodied by their
`respective tree is true, the “selected state.” Both the
`logical operators NAND and NOR generate a certain
`output signal in only one circumstance. The output of a
`NAND gate is
`low and therefore discharges the
`charged node only whenall ofits inputs are high. Oth-
`erwise its outputis high. The selected state of a decoder
`implemented as a NANDgateis, therefore, (1, 1, 1,
`etc.). The output of a NOR gate is high and therefore
`allows the charged nodeto persist only when all ofits
`inputs are low. Otherwiseits outputis low. Theselected
`state of a decoder implemented as a NORgateis, there-
`fore, (0, 0, 0, etc.).
`FIG. 1 depicts a partial schematic diagram of a de-
`coder 10 known in the art implemented as a NAND
`gate. Decoder 10 has a node 12 to which three decode
`transistors, Q1, Q2, and Q3 are connected in series.
`Decodetransistors Q1, Q2 and Q3 make-up thetransis-
`tor tree of decoder 10 (hereinafter simply “tree’’). The
`arrangement of the decode transistors within the tree
`determines whether decoder 10 is implemented as a
`NANDgate (discharges when the Boolean functionis
`true) or as a NORgate (discharges when the Boolean
`function is false). The gates of transistors Q1, Q2, and
`Q3 are connected to the input signals Ay, Az and A3,
`respectively. The drain of transistor Q1 is connected to
`node 12. The source of decode transistor Q1 is con-
`nected to the drain of decodetransistor Q2. The source
`of decode transistor Q2 is connected to the drain of
`decode transistor Q3. Decoder 10 also comprises a
`clocking transistor Q4 and an evaluate transistor Q5.
`Thegates of both of these transistors are connected to a
`periodic clocking signal, CLOCK. The drain of clock-
`ing transistor Q4 is connected to a voltage supply, Vp.
`The source of clocking transistor Q4 is connected to
`node 12. Evaluate transistor Q5 has its drain and source
`connected to the source of decode transistor Q3 and to
`ground,respectively. The output of decoder 10 is gen-
`erated by the voltage at node 12 inverted and buffered
`by an inverter 14. As depicted, all transistors in decoder
`10 are n-channel devices with the exception of clocking
`transistor Q4. Clocking transistor Q4 is a p-channel
`device.
`In operation, decoder 10 precharges node 12 to Vnp
`when the input CLOCK is
`low. When the input
`CLOCKis high, precharge device 10 evaluates the
`voltage present on node 12. The three decode transis-
`tors then have the opportunity to electrically short-cir-
`cuit node 12 to groundif and only if all three inputs Aj,
`Ad, and A3are high. If any of the inputs Aj, Ao, or A3
`is low, then node 12 will remain charged and high.
`
`30
`
`lw LA
`
`30
`
`65
`
`5,291,076
`
`4
`As depicted, decoder 10 is particularly designed to
`trigger whenall inputs are high. It may be described as
`a decoder whichtriggers only on (111). Decoder 10 can
`be designed to generate its unique output when its in-
`puts are mixed, (001), (010), (011), etc., in the selected
`state. In such a mixed inputcase, the inputs that are low
`in the selected state are inverted high before being input
`into the decoder. For instance, if the designer desires
`that decoder 10 trigger when Aj and A2are high and
`when A3is ow, then input A3is first inverted beforeit
`reaches decodetransistor Q3. Typically this is a trivial
`modification because designers route both a signal and
`its inverse throughout a circuit such as a data processor.
`Decoder 10 as depicted in FIG. 1 has at least one
`disadvantage. Node 12 must discharge through each of
`the decodetransistors Q1, Q2 and Q3. Decoder 10typi-
`cally has many more control signals and thus more
`decodetransistors than the three depicted. Each decode
`transistor adds a small propagation delay to the dis-
`charge of node 12. The cumulativeeffect of this delay is
`to limit decoder 10 and precharge devices similarly
`designed to applications in which speed in not particu-
`larly critical, to applications with few controlsignals or
`both.
`FIG. 2 depicts a partial schematic diagram of a de-
`coder 16 knownin the art implemented as a NORgate.
`Decoder 16 has two nodes 18 and 20 to which three
`decode transistors, Q6, Q7, and Q8 are connected in
`parallel. Decode transistors Q6, Q7, and Q8 make-up
`the tree of decoder 16. The gates oftransistors Q6, Q7,
`and Q8 are connected to the input signals Aj, A2 and
`A3, respectively. The drains of transistors Q6, Q7, and
`Q8 are connected to node 18. The sources of transistors
`Q6, Q7, and Q8 are connected to node 20.
`Decoder16 also has two clocking transistors Q9 and
`Q10 and an evaluate transistor Q11. The gatesoftransis-
`tors Q9 and Q11 are connectedto a first periodic clock-
`ing signal, CLOCK1. The gate of clocking transistor
`Q10 is connected to a second periodic clocking signal
`CLOCK2. Thedrains of clocking transistors Q9 and
`Q10 are connected to a voltage supply, Vpp. The
`source of clocking transistor Q9 is connected to node
`18. The source of clocking transistor Q10 is connected
`to an output node 22. Evaluate transistor Q11 has its
`drain and source connected to node 20 and to ground,
`respectively. The voltage at node 18 is screened from
`any device connected to decoder 16 by a two input
`NANDgate 24. NANDgate 24 has as its second input
`a second timing signal, CLOCK2. The output of
`NANDgate 24 is connected to output node 22.
`NANDgate 24 itself has two transistors Q12 and
`Q13. The gate of each of transistors Q12 and Q13 is
`connectedto an input of NAND gate 24. Here, node 18
`is connected to the gate of transistor Q12 and the signal
`CLOCK2is connected to the gate to transistor Q1I3.
`The drain of transistor Q12 is connected to output node
`22 and acts as the output of NANDgate 24. The source
`of transistor Q12 is connected to the drain of transistor
`Q13. The source of transistor Q13 is connected to
`ground. The output of decoder 16 is generated by the
`voltage at node 22 inverted and buffered by an inverter
`26. As depicted, all transistors in decoder 16 are n-chan-
`nel devices with the exception of clocking transistors
`Q9 and Q10. Clocking transistors Q9 and Q10 are p-
`channel devices.
`In practice, decoder 16 has more than three input
`signals, Ai, Az, and A3. N inputs may be connected to
`the gates of N decodetransistors (where N is an inte-
`
`6
`
`

`

`20
`
`25
`
`5
`ger). Each of the N decodetransistors is connected in
`parallel between nodes 18 and 20 to provide a more
`practical decoder.
`In operation, decoder 16 precharges nodes 18 and 22
`to Vpp when the inputs CLOCK1 and CLOCK2 are
`low. When the input CLOCK1is high, decoder 16
`evaluates the voltage present on node 18. The three
`decode transistors then have the opportunity to electri-
`cally short-circuit node 18 to ground throughtransistor
`Q11if any of the three inputs Aj, Az, and A3 are high.
`If and onlyif all of the inputs Ai, A2, and A3 are low,
`will node 18 remain charged high.. Decoder 16, there-
`fore, “evaluates to the inactive state.” The voltage at
`node 18 changes or discharges in every case except in
`the selected state. This undesired transition is screened
`from any device connected to the output of decoder 16
`by clocking transistor Q10 and NAND gate 24. NAND
`gate 24 only discharges output node 22 when node‘ 18
`and CLOCK2 are both high. This corresponds to the
`selected state when all inputs, Aj, A2, and A3 are low.
`In every other case, node 18 has no effect on node 22.
`Node 22 therefore remains high.
`As depicted, decoder 16 is particularly designed to
`generate a unique output whenallof its inputs A1, A2,
`and A3are low. It may be described as a decoder which
`triggers only on (000). As described in connection with
`FIG. 1, decoder 16 can be designed to generate its
`unique output whenits inputs are mixed by connecting
`the gates of transistors Q6, Q7 and Q8to theinputsig-
`nals, Aj, Az, and A3, or their inverses as appropriate.
`Decoder 16 has a least one disadvantage. To make
`decoder16 suitable for use with other devices,its evalu-
`ation to the inactive state must be screened from the
`other devices. here, NAND gate 24 screens the output
`of decoder 16. NAND gate 24, however, must be
`driven with a suitable second timing signal. This timing
`signal may be either a second clock signal or the output
`of a “dummy row”oftransistors. Decoder, with either
`a second clock signal or a dummy rowoftransistors,
`requires additional circuitry. This additional circuitry
`requires more layout space and imposes a speed penalty
`on the performance of decoder 16.
`If the timing signal is a second clock signal, then it is
`asymmetric, is active during the evaluate state and has a
`shorter duty cycle thanthefirst clock signal. The begin-
`ning of the active portion of the second clock signal is
`delayed a certain time into the evaluate state to allow
`the voltage on node 18tosettle.
`If the timing signal is generated by a dummy row of
`parallel transistors, then the dummy row is designed to
`generate an active signal no faster than the decoder’s
`slowest
`transition in the evaluate state. The slowest.
`transition in the evaluate state occurs when node 18
`discharges to ground through a single conducting de-
`code transistor. The speed limitation may be met by
`driving the second input of NAND gate 24 with the
`output of a second precharge device. This second pre-
`charge device lacks NAND gate 24, clocking transistor
`Q10 and inverter 26 but is otherwise identical to de-
`coder 16. The tree oftransistors in the second precharge
`device has the same size and numberof decodetransis-
`tors as has decoder 16, here three. The second pre-
`charge device precharges and evaluates node 18 as
`described in connection with decoder 16. All of the
`gates of the tree transistors, however, are connected to
`ground exceptone.It is connectedto a positive voltage
`supply, Vpp. Hence,
`the row of decode transistors
`forming thetree is a “dummy” row because it decodes
`
`5,291,076
`
`6
`no actual data. The output of the second precharge
`device will always discharge to ground in the evaluate
`state. However, the charge onthefirst node within the
`precharge device can only discharge through a single
`transistor,
`the transistor whose gate is connected to
`Vpp.This will ensure that the second precharge device
`outputs an active signal for NAND gate 24 after or
`simultaneously with the discharge of node 18.
`FIG.3 depicts a partial schematic diagram of a pre-
`charge device 28 constructed accordingto the disclosed
`invention. Precharge device 28 is implemented as a
`NORgate. Precharge device 28, therefore, evaluates to
`the active state. This design allows precharge device 28
`to have a large numberofinput signals without reduc-
`ing its performance. Precharge device 28, however, has
`only a single timing signal, CLOCK. Precharge device
`28 does not need a second clock or the output from a
`dummyrowoftransistors as do prior precharge devices
`designed as NORgates.
`Precharge device 28 has a transistor tree 29 and two
`nodes 30 and 32. Tree 29 is connected between nodes 30
`and 32 and contains logic circuits operable to electri-
`cally short-circuit nodes 30 and 32 together given a
`predetermined set of inputs as will be described below.
`In this first embodiment, tree 29 contains three decode
`transistors Q14, Q15, and Q16 connected in parallel
`between nodes 30 and 32. The gates of transistors Q14,
`Q15 and Q16 are connected to the input signals Ai, Az
`and A3, respectively. The drains of transistors Q14,
`Q15, and Q16 are connected to node 30. The sources of
`transistors Q14, Q15, and Q16 are connected to node 32.
`Precharge device 28 also has two clocking transistors
`Q17 and Q18, an evaluate transistor Q19 and a screening
`transistor Q20. The gates of clocking transistors Q17
`and Q18 and evaluate transistor Q19 are connected to a
`periodic timing signal, CLOCK.Thedrains of clocking
`transistors Q17 and Q18 are connected to a voltage
`supply. Vop. The source of clocking transistor Q17 is
`connected to node 30. The source of clocking transistor
`Q18 is connectedto an output node 34. Evaluate transis-
`tor Q19 has its drain and source connected to node 32
`and to ground, respectively. Screening transistor Q20
`has its gate connected to node 30,its drain connected to
`output node 34 andits source connected to node 32.
`Precharge device 28 may have twolatching transis-
`tors Q21 and Q22 to improve the resistance of pre-
`charge device 28 to inherentcircuit instabilities. Both of
`the drains of latching transistors Q21 and Q22 are con-
`nected to Vpp. The source and gate of latching transis-
`tor Q21 are connected to nodes 30 and 34, respectively.
`Conversely, the source and gate of latching transistor
`Q22 are connected to nodes 34 and 30,respectively.
`The output of precharge device 28, OUTPUT,is
`generated by the voltage at node 34 inverted and buff-
`ered by an inverter 36. An inverter 37 connected to
`node 30 generates the signal OUTPUT.Asdepicted,all
`transistors in precharge device 28 are n-channel devices
`with the exception of clocking transistors Q17 and Q18
`and latching transistors Q21 and Q22. Clocking transis-
`tors Q17 and Q18 andlatching transistors Q21 and Q22
`are p-channel devices.
`FIG.4 depicts a timing diagram 38 in graphical form
`of the precharge device 28 depicted in FIG. 3 in the
`unselected state. The unselected state of precharge de-
`vice 28 is the combination of inputs that makes the
`Boolean function false. The unselected state of a pre-
`charge device implemented as a NOR gate is every
`combination of inputs, A1, A2, and A3 that discharge
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`7
`
`

`

`5,291,076
`
`25
`
`35
`
`20
`
`7
`node 30. Node 30 is discharged if any of the inputs Ai,
`Az, and A3are a logic high. Precharge device 28 may be
`described as a decoderthat triggers only on (000). How-
`ever, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate the
`wide variety of applications for precharge device 28
`with suitably modified transistor trees. In any of the
`unselected states, decoder 28 outputs a logic low signal
`through inverter 36. FIG. 4 depicts the voltages at
`nodes 30, 32, 34 (labeled NODE 30, NODE 332, and
`NODE 34,respectively) and at the output of inverters
`36 and 37 (labeled OUTPUT and OUTPUT,respec-
`tively) with respect
`to the input CLOCK (labeled
`CLOCK). FIG.4 is divided into two halves named after
`and correspondingto the twostates of precharge device
`28, precharge and evaluate. In the depicted embodi-
`ment, the precharge and evaluate states correspond to a
`low and a high voltage on CLOCK,respectively.
`In operation, precharge device 28 precharges nodes
`30 and 34 to a known orpredetermined voltage level
`when the input CLOCKis low.In theillustrated form,
`nodes 30 and 34 are precharged to Vpp. The output
`from inverters 36 and 37 are therefore initially low.
`Transistor Q20 causes a voltage drop between nodes 34
`and 32 of Vry, one transistor threshold voltage. Node
`32 is therefore initially at a voltage of (Vpp—V7n).
`When the input CLOCK switches high, precharge de-
`vice 28 evaluates the voltage present on node 30. In the
`unselected state, the voltage at node 30 is always dis-
`charged to a second knownor predetermined voltage
`level through clocking transistor Q19. In theillustrated
`form, node 30 is discharged to ground, VGnp. The
`voltage on node 32 also drops to ground as the input
`CLOCKplacesclocking transistor Q19 in a conducting
`state. As the voltage on node 30 drops, screening tran-
`sistor Q20 ceases to conduct. The non conducting state
`of screening transistor Q20 prevents node 34 from dis-
`charging, maintaining the low output from inverter 36.
`The low voltage level on node 30, however, causes
`OUTPUTto switch to high.
`FIG.5 depicts a timing diagram in graphical form of 40
`the precharge device 28 depicted in FIG.3 in these-
`lected state. The selected state of precharge device 28 is
`the combination of inputs that makes the Boolean func-
`tion true. The selected state of a precharge device im-
`plemented as a NORgate is the combination of inputs,
`Aj, Aa, and A3 that does not discharge node 30. Node
`30 remainsin its prechargedstate onlyif all of the inputs
`Aj, Ag, and A3 are a logic low. In the selected state,
`precharge device 28 outputs a logic high signal through
`inverter 36. FIG. 5 depicts the voltages at nodes 30, 32,
`34 (labeled NODE 30, NODE 32, and NODE 34,re-
`spectively) and at the output of inverters 36 and 37
`(labeled OUTPUT and OUTPUT,respectively) with
`respect to the input CLOCK(labeled CLOCK). FIG.5
`is divided into two halves named after and correspond-
`ing to the twostates of decoder 28, precharge and eval-
`uate. In the depicted embodiment, the precharge and
`evaluate states correspond to a low anda high voltage
`on CLOCK,respectively.
`,
`Asdescribed above, precharge device 28 precharges
`nodes 30 and 34 to Vpp, precharges node 32 to
`(Vpp—V rx) and outputs a logic low on inverters 36
`and 37 when the input CLOCKis low. When the input
`CLOCKswitches high, decoder 28 evaluates the volt-
`age present on node 30. In the selected state, the voltage
`at node 30 is not discharged to ground. A high voltage
`on node 30 places screening transistor Q20 in a conduct-
`ing state. Evaluate transistor Q19 is placed in a conduct-
`
`8
`ing state by a high CLOCK signal. Node 34 then dis-
`charges to ground throughscreening transistor Q20 and
`evaluate transistor Q19. Inverter 36 inverts the low
`voltage on node 34 and outputs a high logic level. In-
`verter 37 inverts the high voltage at node 30 and contin-
`ues to output a low logic signal. Node 32 discharges to
`ground as described above in connection with FIG. 4.
`Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG.5, the response time for
`decoder 28 is labeled as At and is measured from half the
`full scale deflection of the input CLOCKto halfthe full
`scale deflection of OOTPUT or OUTPUT in the unse-
`lected or selected state, respectively. A comparable
`‘decoder implemented as a NANDgate (See FIG.1) has
`a significantly longer response time, typically twice as
`long as a NOR decoder constructed in accordance with
`the present
`invention. The particular savings in re-
`sponse timeis, as knownin theart, a function of several
`variables including the numberof inputs to tree 29.
`FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 demonstrate how precharge de-
`vice 28 is “uni-transitional.” Precharge device 28 is
`uni-transitional because the output of inverter 36
`changes only in the selected state. In particular,
`the
`output of inverter 36 remains low in all of the unse-
`lected states and only switches high in the selected state
`or states. The uni-transitional to active state nature of
`precharge device 28 allowseither ofits outputs to drive
`another device where the second device is synchro-
`nized to the same clocking signal as is precharge device
`28. If, instead, precharge device 28 “evaluated to the
`inactive state” as does decoder 16 depicted in FIG.2,
`then a circuit connected to the output of precharge
`device 28 would have to be shielded from the extra
`transition of the output in the unselected state or states.
`The output of such a decoder could be shielded with a
`NANDgate and a second clocking signal as described
`in connection with FIG.2.
`In both the unselected state and the selected state,
`optional latching transistors Q21 and Q22 ensure that
`the output of decoder 28 is reliable despite fluctuations
`in transistor performance due to inherent circuit insta-
`bilities. Both latching transistors Q21 and Q22 are
`placed into a non-conducting state during the precharge
`state. In the evaluate state, one of the two latching
`transistors Q21 and Q22 improves the performance of
`decoder 28 in each of the unselected and the selected
`states.
`In the unselected state, one or more of decodetransis-
`tors Q14, Q15 or Q16 discharge node 30 to ground. As
`node 30 discharges,it places latching transistor Q22 into
`a conducting state. Latching transistor Q22 then
`supplies a voltage, Vpp, to node 34. Latching transistor
`Q22 ensures that node 34 is high in the unselected state
`even if evaluate transistor Q19 turns on too quickly or
`screening transistor Q20 turns off too slowly. Either of
`these two events would cause node 34 to discharge
`slightly. If node 34 discharged below a certain thresh-
`old, inverter 36 would erroneously treat the voltage at
`node 34 as a logic low.
`Conversely,
`in the selected state, none of decode
`transistors Q14, QI5 or Q16 discharge node 30 to
`ground. Node 34, however, discharges to ground as
`evaluate transistor Q19 switches on in the evaluate
`state. As node 34 discharges,it places latching transistor
`Q21 into a conducting state. Latching transistor Q21
`then supplies a voltage, Vpp,
`to node 30. Latching
`transistor Q21 thereby reduces the impact of any noise
`at node 30 on the voltage level at node 30.
`
`45
`
`35
`
`65
`
`8
`
`

`

`5,291,076
`
`9
`In the preferred embodiment, precharge device 28 is
`designed with transistors having particular gate widths.
`The widths are selected following three design guide-
`lines. First, the size of decode transistors Q14, Q15 and
`Q16 are minimized to reduce space needed to layout
`decoder 28 and to reduce the loading on inputs Ai, Ao,
`and A3 and on node 30. Second, screening transistor
`Q20 should be large enough to pull down node 34.
`Third, the size of evaluate transistor Q19 should be
`smaller than or equal to the size of screening transistor
`Q20.
`Asdepicted in FIG.3, precharge device 28 is particu-
`larly designed to generate a unique output whenall of
`its inputs Aj, Az, and A3 are low. As described in con-
`nection with FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 pre-
`charge device 28 can be designed to trigger whenits
`inputs are mixed, with more or less than three inputs
`and in response to more than oneselected state. A great-
`er-than comparator, for instance, triggers in all cases in
`whichits input is greater than a predetermined value. In
`general, tree 29 of precharge device 28 can be designed
`to implement any Boolean function. FIG. 6, described
`immediately below, depicts a precharge device de-
`signed to implement a different function and, hence,
`trigger on a different set of inputs.
`FIG.6 depicts a partial schematic diagram of a com-
`parator 38 incorporating the invention depicted in FIG.
`3. Comparator 38 is a particular type of precharge de-
`vice. Comparator 38 compares two three-bit digital
`inputs, Ai, Az, and A3 and Bj, B2, and B3 and outputs a
`logic one if each pair of corresponding input bits is
`identical, e.e. A1=Bi, A2=B2, A3=B3,etc. Otherwise,
`the output of comparator 38 is a logic zero. The output
`of comparator 38 is synchronized with the input
`CLOCKasis the output of precharge device 28.
`Comparator 38 is constructed as is decoder 28 de-
`picted in FIG. 3 with the exception of decode transis-
`tors Q14, QI5 and Q16. These three decode transistors
`are each replaced with two parallel circuit pathways
`between nodes 30 and 32. Each of the parallel circuit
`pathways has two compare transistors connected in
`series. The gates of the two compare transistors are
`connected to the inputs or their inverses as described
`below such that nodes 30 and 32 will electrically short-
`circuit together unless the two inputs Aj, A2, and A3
`and Bi, Bz, and B3 are identical. If nodes 30 and 32
`electrically short-circuit
`together, node 30 will dis-
`charge to ground and output a