High frequency clock signal distribution circuit with reduced clock skew

摘要

A clock signal distribution circuit of a tree structure having a plurality of buffers arranged in a plurality of hierarchical stages includes short-circuit wirings for short-circuiting output terminals of the buffers at each stage of the plurality of hierarchical stages. Each of the plurality of buffers is formed by a single inverter or a multi- stage inverter wherein an input stage inverter and an output stage inverter are connected in series. The output stage inverter has a size larger than that of the input stage inverter. The clock signal distribution circuit thus constructed can reduce clock skew and distribute a high frequency clock signal having sharp rise and fall characteristics to a plurality of registers.