A Single-Ended Disturb-Free 9T Subthreshold SRAM With Cross-Point Data-Aware Write Word-Line Structure, Negative Bit-Line, and Adaptive Read Operation Timing Tracing

Abstract

This paper presents a novel single-ended disturb-free 9T subthreshold SRAM cell with cross-point data-aware Write word-line structure. The disturb-free feature facilitates bit-inter-leaving architecture, which can reduce multiple-bit upsets in a single word and enhance soft error immunity by employing Error Checking and Correction (ECC) technique. The proposed 9T SRAM cell is demonstrated by a 72 Kb SRAM macro with a Negative Bit-Line (NBL) Write-assist and an adaptive Read operation timing tracing circuit implemented in 65 nm low-leakage CMOS technology. Measured full Read and Write functionality is error free with V-DD down to 0.35 V (similar to 0.15 V lower than the threshold voltage) with 229 KHz frequency and 4.05 mu W power. Data is held down to 0.275 V with 2.29 mu W Standby power. The minimum energy per operation is 4.5 pJ at 0.5 V. The 72 Kb SRAM macro has wide operation range from 1.2 V down to 0.35 V, with operating frequency of around 200 MHz for V-DD around/above 1.0 V.