GaAs low-power shift register and arithmetic logic unit for a high-speed digital signal processor

摘要

A high-speed 8-bit shift register and 4-bit ALU (arithmetic logic unit) have been implemented using low-power GaAs DCFL (direct-coupled FET logic). Both circuits are fabricated with a high-yield titanium tungsten nitride self-aligned gate MESFET process. The 8-bit shift register works at up to 1.9 GHz and consumes only 56 mW of power, while the 4-bit ALU performs at up to 1.2 GHz with a 131-mW power dissipation. Both chips show a functional yield over 83%. The circuits operate over a wide variation in power-supply voltage and temperature. The results demonstrate state-of-the-art high-frequency performance at extremely low power dissipation.