Title :
Modeling and design of asynchronous circuits
Author :
Josephs, Mark B. ; Nowick, Steven M. ; Van Berkel, C. H Kees
Author_Institution :
Centre for Concurrent Syst., South Bank Univ., London, UK
fDate :
2/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
This technology review explores the behavioral and structural design domains for asynchronous circuits and systems. It proceeds bottom up, introducing relevant concepts, terminology and techniques through a succession of simple examples. There are seven main points: 1) Signal transitions provide a key to understanding the switching behavior of asynchronous logic. 2) Burst-mode circuits and speed-independent control circuits offer reliable operation that is free from glitches. 3) Various notations are available for specification of control circuitry and as a starting point for logic synthesis. 4) Bundled data and delay-insensitive coding schemes are suitable for representing data because they address the issues of data validity and completion detection. 5) Asynchronous networks, constructed from modules and channels, provide a systems architecture for asynchronous design. 6) Handshaking on channels, which controls data communication and synchronization between modules, is implemented using signal transitions. 7) The translation of algorithmic descriptions into asynchronous networks facilitates an automated approach to large-scale system design
Keywords :
asynchronous circuits; circuit CAD; data structures; hazards and race conditions; integrated logic circuits; logic CAD; reviews; timing; algorithmic descriptions; asynchronous circuits; asynchronous logic; behavioral design; bundled data; burst-mode circuits; completion detection; data representation; data validity; delay-insensitive coding schemes; handshaking; large-scale system design; logic synthesis; modeling; reliable operation; signal transitions; speed-independent control circuits; structural design; switching behavior; synchronization; Algorithm design and analysis; Asynchronous circuits; Circuit synthesis; Control system synthesis; Logic circuits; Logic design; Network synthesis; Signal design; Switching circuits; Terminology;
Journal_Title :
Proceedings of the IEEE
