CMOS logic design with independent-gate FinFETs

Abstract

Fin-type field-effect transistors (FinFETs) are promising substitutes for bulk CMOS in nano-scale circuits. In this paper, it is observed that in spite of improved device characteristics, high active leakage may remain a problem for FinFET logic circuits. Leakage is found to contribute 31.3% of total power consumption in power-optimized FinFET logic circuits. Various FinFET logic design styles, based on independent control of FinFET gates, are studied. A new low-leakage logic style is presented. Leakage (total) power savings of 64.7% (14.5%) under tight delay constraints and 91.2% (37.2%) under relaxed delay constraints, through the judicious use of FinFET logic styles, are demonstrated.