Michael Kugel

A system of array families and synthesized soft arrays for the POWER9™ processor in 14nm SOI FinFET technology

The POWER9™ Processor in 14 nm SOI FinFET technology makes use of 7 different families of arrays. This paper gives an overview on advantages of different implementations, focusing on two key innovations introduced with this processor generation: Fast and low-latency write assist schemes for single-voltage performance arrays, as well as a new methodology, the synthesized soft arrays, to enable significant improvements for small array structures in both area and design efficiency.

A 4GHz, low latency TCAM in 14nm SOI FinFET technology using a high performance current sense amplifier for AC current surge reduction

A 4GHz, low latency TCAM in 14nm SOI FinFET technology, using a matchline current sensing scheme with an energy consumption of 0.63 fJ/bit/search at 0.9V and a peak current reduction of 50% compared to voltage sensing implementations. A by entry adjustable search depth allows to reduce power consumption for variable size translation tables. The implemented sandwich floorplan enables an area efficient integration of high performance 0.286μm2 16T-TCAM and 0.143μm2 8T-SRAM cells.