Low swing TSV signaling using novel level shifters with single supply voltage

Low swing TSV signaling is proposed for three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits (ICs) to reduce dynamic power consumption. Novel level shifters are designed to lower the voltage swing before the TSV and to pull the voltage swing back to full rail at the far end of the TSV. Proposed level shifters operate with a single supply voltage, thereby reducing the overall cost. Critical TSV capacitance beyond which the proposed scheme saves dynamic power is determined. Up to 42% reduction in overall power is demonstrated with a voltage swing of 0.5 V, where the supply voltage is 1 V.