An integrated m-out-of-n detection circuit using threshold logic

The design of the integrated 4-out-of-9 detector is based on a threshold logic approach. A differential current-switching circuit configuration is used, and the detector is fully compatible with conventional emitter-coupled logic (ECL). The circuit has a propagation delay of 16 ns and dissipates only 100 mW. The functional power-delay product of 1600 pJ is an order of magnitude below that achieved with an efficient gate design.