Todd Williams

A 200-MHz 8-Kb SRAM macro for video applications

An 8-Kb custom static random access memory (SRAM) macro for use in workstation graphics application is described. The need for a high-performance, high-density SRAM in seralizer palette digital-to-analog converter (DAC) chips has resulted in the design of a single-port, synchronous macro with dynamic self-resetting circuitry, return-to zero addressing, NOR word-line recording and dynamic NAND bit decoding, a novel timing control circuit, and a latch-type tristate sense amplifier. Fabricated using a 0.8-/spl mu/m CMOS technology, the 8-Kb SRAM macro is capable of typical sustained operation of 200 MHz. Custom design has resulted in a greater than 2.5X density improvement and more than 3X performance improvement over existing SRAM library offerings.