A low-power microprocessor based on resonant energy

Abstract

We describe AC-1, a CMOS microprocessor that derives most of its operating power from the clock signals rather than from dc supplies. Clock-powered circuit elements are selectively used to drive high-fan-out nodes. An inductor-based, all-resonant clock-power generator allows us to recover 85% of the clock-drive energy. The measured top frequency for the microprocessor was 58.8 MHz at 26.2 mW. The resulting overall decrease in dissipation ranges from four to five times at clock frequencies from 35 to 54 MHz. We also compare the performance of the processor to a reimplementation in static logic.