Power Distribution Networks in High Speed Integrated Circuits

Distributing power in high speed, high complexity integrated circuits has become a challenging task as power levels exceeding tens of watts have become commonplace while the power supply is plunging toward one volt. This book is dedicated to this important subject. The primary purpose of this monograph is to provide insight and intuition into the behavior and design of power distribution systems for high speed, high complexity integrated circuits. The impedance characteristics of the overall power distribution system, from voltage regulator through the printed circuit board and package onto the integrated circuit to the power terminals of the on-chip circuitry, are described. The design and analysis of the hierarchy of decoupling capacitors used to improve the impedance characteristics are presented. The inductive characteristics of on-chip power distribution grids are described and the effect of these characteristics on circuit behaviour is discussed. Techniques and algorithms for the computer-aided design and analysis of on-chip power distribution networks are also described; The emphasis of the book is on developing circuit intuition and understanding the principles that govern the design and operation of power distribution systems.